OSHCstudents – You’ve come down with symptoms, and it’s been several days since your situation has improved. What do you do? You go to a doctor—but which one: a general practitioner (GP) or a medical specialist?
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To help shorten the diagnosis period and get straight to the treatment, here are signs to know when to see a local doctor or a specialist:
You have a new health issue.
Typically, the GP is the doctor you regularly see for medical needs such as examinations, vaccinations, or prescriptions for medication. They can also provide treatment for illnesses like a common cold or diarrhea. They know your health history, allowing them to diagnose efficiently, especially if there are strange patterns or symptoms. GPs can also help you manage your wound or injury.
Your health issue isn’t improving.
If there’s still no progress on your illness, it’s best to head to a specialist. A medical specialist has undergone more years of studying and training in a specific field. Examples include otorhinolaryngology, neurology, and dermatology. While general practitioners diagnose diseases, specialists treat more complicated medical conditions.
You’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition.
Health issues like stroke, heart disease, and hypertension require more complex treatments than other diseases. Doctors typically prescribe medications to address the symptoms caused by these illnesses, which require close monitoring and even adjustments. In such cases, it may be better to see a specialist than a GP.
Specialists have more experience dealing with particular diseases, making them more suitable for handling patients with complicated chronic conditions.
You are international students or foreigners arriving to Australia, or Australian citizens travelling abroad who are looking for OSHC, OVHC, or travel insurance, please contact OSHCstudents Team at email: info@oshcstudents.com and our partners for further information and assistance.
OSHCstudents (source: Insider Guides)
