What is a general medical consultation?
General medical consultation refers to an initial evaluation and discussion between a healthcare provider and a patient regarding the patient’s health status, symptoms, concerns, and medical history. The purpose of such a consultation is to assess the patient’s overall health, diagnose potential issues, and develop a plan for treatment or further investigation. Here’s an expanded overview of what a general medical consultation typically involves:
1. Patient History
- Current Symptoms: A thorough discussion of any current symptoms or concerns the patient may have, including their onset, duration, and severity.
- Medical History: A detailed review of the patient’s past medical conditions, surgeries, hospitalisations and current medications.
- Family History: Information about illnesses and conditions in the patient’s family that may be hereditary.
- Social History: Details about the patient’s lifestyle, including occupation, habits (such as smoking or alcohol use), exercise, diet, and travel history.
2. Physical Examination (only if applicable)
- A general physical examination is often conducted to assess the patient’s current physical condition. This may include:
- Measuring vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate).
- Inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation to evaluate different body systems.
3. Diagnostic Evaluation
- Based on the patient’s history and physical examination, the healthcare provider may recommend diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, imaging studies (like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans), or other specialised tests.
4. Diagnosis and Discussion
- After gathering sufficient information, the healthcare provider may discuss potential diagnoses or conditions. This discussion can include:
- The nature of any identified medical issues.
- The seriousness and implications of these issues.
- Options for management and treatment.
5. Treatment Plan
- A treatment plan may be developed, which could involve:
- Medications, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or other interventions.
- Referrals to specialists if needed for further evaluation or treatment.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
6. Preventive Care and Health Promotion
- Providing advice on preventive measures, such as vaccinations, screenings, and lifestyle modifications to promote overall health and prevent disease.
7. Patient Education
- Educating the patient about their condition, treatment options, and any necessary lifestyle changes to manage their health effectively.
FAQ’s
Is this a private or an NHS consultation?
This is a private consultation where you can discuss your health concerns; diagnosis and treatment is provided and you can obtain the medication on the same day.
What is the difference between a GP and a private consultation?
With both types of consultations a healthcare professional is involved to aid with diagnosis and treatment and to discuss the patient’s symptoms and concerns.
Can I discuss any issues during the consultation?
Yes, you can discuss your ideas, expectations and concerns. We do not provide consultations for mental health, or prescribe finasteride for hair loss or weight loss medication.
Can I discuss multiple health concerns during the consultation?
We normally provide a consultation per health concern e.g. ongoing cough would be one, but you may have other associated symptoms e.g. nasal congestion.
Do you consult for patients of any age?
We normally consult with patients who are 16 years of age and over.
When would a video consultation be appropriate?
Video consultation can be chosen if you would like a diagnosis for a skin condition or for any health concern that requires a face-to-face assessment. The price is £35 per consultation.
When would a telephone consultation be appropriate?
The majority of consultations can be managed via telephone consultation according to the patient’s preference, however in some cases if a virtual assessment is required a video consultation may be more appropriate. The price is £29 per consultation.
How long can an average consultation can last?
A consultation can last anywhere between 15-20mins, but this is dependent on a case-by-case basis.
Can I access medical consultations online’s Google reviews?
Please find our reviews with this link attached https://g.page/r/CcGkIM8Zng7AEB0/review
