General Practitioner Attribute Descriptions

Medical Colleague
Clinical Competency
The physician assesses, diagnoses (using the appropriate technical procedures), and selects an appropriate treatment for the patient.
Psychosocial Management of Patients
The physician relates social conditions to physical and mental health, thus resulting in appropriate referrals to non-physicians and other community resources.
Patient Interaction
The physician communicates effectively with patients and their families in a manner that conveys respect and compassion and appropriately coordinates care for patients with other health professionals.
Professional Self Management
The physician manages his/her own health care resources, professional development and stress.
Consultation Communication
The physician communicates effectively to patients the steps needed for continuing care such as referrals to other health professionals and transfer of care to specialists and consultants.
Co-worker
Patient Interaction
The physician communicates effectively with patients and their families in a nonjudgmental manner that conveys respect and compassion. The physician maintains confidentiality and is responsible for professional actions.
Co-worker Collegiality
The physician interacts and collaborates with co-workers in an effective, courteous manner, which recognizes their professional skills and knowledge.
Co-worker Communication
The physician provides clear written communication, including prescriptions, and is available for consultation with other doctors and community workers.
Patient
Patient Interaction
The physician listens, answers questions and demonstrates interest, empathy and respect for the patient during an examination period. Patients indicate whether they would return to or refer a friend to the physician.
Phone Communication
The availability of a doctor by phone after hours for urgent medical problems.
Information for Patients
The physician provides proper information regarding medical problems, return appointments, reporting of test results, referrals to specialists, tracking of prescription and non-prescription medication and patient education.
Personal Communication
The physician adequately explains illness/injury, preventative measures, treatment options, and medication regimen and side effects.
Office Staff
The staff is pleasant, helpful, capable, professional and able to maintain confidentiality.
Physical Office
The office is accessible, clean, private, and appropriately sized.
Appointments
Appointments can be made quickly and wait time for scheduled appointments is not excessive.