General Practice

General practice is where your care usually begins. It's the place you go for common problems, such as minor illness, aches or a health worry. We're often who you see when you're feeling unwell, and we look after people's health needs across the UAE. When something needs a specialist, your GP arranges the referral and stays involved in your care.

What is general practice?

General practice is the first-contact door to healthcare. Your GP is a generalist who treats a broad range of problems, from common infections to long-term conditions such as high blood pressure. Much of the work is assessing, prescribing and knowing when to refer. A hospital specialist concentrates on one part of the body. Family medicine adds long-term, whole-family continuity and prevention; general practice focuses on quick, convenient care for the concern in front of you.

When should you see a GP?

See a GP when you have:

• An everyday illness that isn't getting better, such as a cough, sore throat or fever
• A minor injury, such as a small cut, a sprain or a burn
• A repeat prescription or a review of your regular medicines
• A health concern you're unsure about and want checked
• A sick note or fit note for work or school
• A long-term condition that needs a routine check

You don't need to wait until you feel unwell. A simple check at a routine visit can pick up a problem like high blood pressure before you feel any symptoms. General practice is also the place for routine check-ups, vaccinations and screening, or reassurance about a symptom you're not sure about. In the UAE, general practice is often the starting point for care, and your GP refers you onward when a specialist is the right next step.

What to expect

A GP appointment usually starts with a conversation. Your doctor asks about your symptoms, your history and any medicines you take. They may then examine you, checking your blood pressure or looking at your throat where that helps. For some problems your GP arranges a blood or urine test to understand what is going on. The aim of this first visit is to work out what is happening and what would help.

What happens next depends on what your GP finds. You might get advice on managing the problem, a prescription, or a referral if needed. Some visits end with a plan to monitor a condition or a follow-up to see how you're doing. If you live with a long-term condition, regular reviews help catch problems early. Your GP talks you through the options and agrees the next step.

General practice at Mediclinic

At Mediclinic, you can see a general practitioner when you're feeling unwell. Our general practitioners diagnose, treat and help prevent common conditions across our UAE hospitals and clinics. Everyday care such as prescriptions, vaccinations and routine tests is handled in the same place. When a problem needs specialist care, your GP refers you to a colleague who then works alongside your primary care doctor to manage it.