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What is the importance of new tests to diagnose and treat the disease? Or improved surgical techniques, faster emergency care and specialized doctors in various fields of medicine? The fact is that all the improvements in medical care make life easier for patients and save lives. But a long-awaited British report shows that it is the family doctor (FD) who helps to prolong life.
Sir Denis Pereira Gray, former director of the Royal College of General Practitioners, conducted 22 different studies. His conclusion, published in the British Medical Journal, states that a long-term FD, who knows you inside and out, reduces the risk of premature death up to 53%. Thus, in the era of heart transplantation, medical advances and pharmacotherapy, FD remains the solid foundation of patient care.
I admit that there is some bias. After my internship, I spent several months as a family doctor while a colleague was recovering from a heart attack. It was an excellent learning experience because he was always available to discuss difficult cases. I learned that he was not only a great observer of human behavior, but a clever diagnostician. We became friends for life
After this experience, I gave this advice to my wife: I told her that if I was very sick and that several specialists were discussing the best treatment, I wanted this FD to make the final decision. I knew that he would not accept questionable treatment, that common sense would prevail and that my life would not go on without good reason.
During my first year at Harvard Medical School, I arrived home to find my father. seriously ill. He was traveling, complaining of abdominal pain and a doctor consulted did not suspect appendicitis. Upon his return, a quick diagnosis from his family doctor resulted in immediate surgery to remove a ruptured appendix. It made the difference between life and death.
I have never forgotten another case: I performed surgery and then went back to the recovery area to check the condition of my patient. I noticed that there were several anxious doctors debating the breathing of another patient following gallbladder surgery.
The surgeon believed that the patient had pulmonary obstruction and that an emergency tracheotomy was necessary to save the patient 's life. An ear, nose and throat specialist was also invited to give his opinion, and he also believed that this procedure was urgent.
The patient being moved into the operating room, the family doctor appeared on the scene. has been informed of their decision. So he too was listening to the patient's breathing. Then he looked at the specialists and noticed, "I've known George for 40 years, and he's still breathing that way. The surgery was quickly canceled
A family doctor can also save patients from questionable and potentially dangerous tests. Nowadays, many patients do not realize that a CT scan exposes them to the same amount of radiation as 500 routine chest X-rays! Or 1,000 dental X-rays!
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