A general Physician manages types of illness that present in an undifferentiated way at an early stage of development, which may require urgent intervention.The holistic approach of general practice aims to take into consideration the biological, psychological, and social factors relevant to the care of each patient's illness. Their duties are not confined to specific organs of the body, and they have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues.

People who are seeking medical care usually contact a general practitioner first. When a patient develops a serious condition, a general practitioner may refer him or her to a specialist. A specialist is a physician who has additional training and expertise in a specific area of medicine (e.g., urology, cardiology, oncology, neurology).