On your first visit a GP may spend time gathering background information before getting onto your current problem or complaint. This is so they can build a picture of your current state of health, your risk factors and possible future problems. Your GP will tailor your examination according to the current problem. Commonly they check temperature, pulse and blood pressure, perform a visual inspection and conduct a physical test if needed or refer you for further testing.

General practitioners possess a high level diagnostic and therapeutic skills which are necessary for treatment and advice to be tailored to your individual case, circumstances and lifestyle. They seek to improve health, wellbeing and resilience through a continuing patient-doctor relationship, application of best available evidence in the unique context of each consultation.

General practitioners understand that health, illness and disease are uniquely personal experiences, and their principal role is to relieve personal disease and discomfort in a way that is best suited to each individual.