Doctor's office: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|General medical practice}} |
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{{for|the historic office building|Doctor's Office (Plantersville, Alabama)}} |
{{for|the historic office building|Doctor's Office (Plantersville, Alabama)}} |
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{{Use American English|date=August 2012}} |
{{Use American English|date=August 2012}} |
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[[File: |
[[File:Exam_room_in_a_doctor's_office.jpg|thumb|An examination room in a typical doctor's office. Note the examination table, a key feature of almost all such rooms worldwide.]] |
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| ⚫ | A '''doctor's office''' in [[American English]], a '''doctor's surgery''' in [[British English]], or a '''doctor's practice''', is a [[medical facility]] in which one or more medical [[physician|doctors]], usually [[general practitioner]]s (GP), receive and treat [[patient]]s.<ref>[http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/office Definition at The Free Dictionary]</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/surgery_2 surgery noun (ADVICE) – definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus – Cambridge Dictionary Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==Description== |
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| ⚫ | A '''doctor's office''' in [[American English]], a '''doctor's surgery''' in [[British English]] or '''doctor's practice''', is a [[medical facility]] in which one or more medical [[physician|doctors]], usually [[general practitioner]]s (GP), receive and treat [[patient]]s.<ref>[http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/office Definition at The Free Dictionary]</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/surgery_2 surgery noun (ADVICE) |
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Doctors' offices are the primary place where [[ambulatory care]] is given, and are often the first place that a sick person would go for care, except in an emergency, in which case one would go to an [[emergency department]] at a [[hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/NHSGPs.aspx |title=NHS Services in England: NHS services explained: Your local GP practice |publisher=NHS Choices |date=28 January 2013 |access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> |
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In |
In developed countries, where [[healthcare|health services]] are [[Universal health care|guaranteed by the state]] in some form, most medical [[doctor's visit|visits to doctors]] take place in their offices. In the [[United States]], where this is not the case, many people who cannot afford [[health insurance]] or doctor's visits must either go to free or reduced-cost [[clinic]]s or an emergency department at a hospital for care, instead of a doctor's office.<ref>[http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/how-to-get-health-care-while-uninsured/ How to Get Health Care While Uninsured | The Billfold<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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For healthy people, most visits to doctors' offices revolve around a once-yearly recommended [[physical examination]]. This exam usually consists of gathering information such as a patient's [[blood pressure]], [[heart rate]], [[weight]], and [[height]], along with checking for any irregularities or signs of illness around the body.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations Annual Physical Exams: What to Expect<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> GPs will also ask the patients about any [[mental health]] problems that they may be experiencing, and may [[referral (medicine)|refer]] them to a [[psychiatrist]] for further examination in the event that they do indeed have such problems. If there are any other health problems that must be addressed by a [[medical specialist]], such as a [[cardiologist]], a referral will be given.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> |
For healthy people, most visits to doctors' offices revolve around a once-yearly recommended [[physical examination]]. This exam usually consists of gathering information such as a patient's [[blood pressure]], [[heart rate]], [[Human body weight|weight]], and [[Human height|height]], along with checking for any irregularities or signs of illness around the body.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations Annual Physical Exams: What to Expect<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> GPs will also ask the patients about any [[mental health]] problems that they may be experiencing, and may [[referral (medicine)|refer]] them to a [[psychiatrist]] for further examination in the event that they do indeed have such problems. If there are any other health problems that must be addressed by a [[medical specialist]], such as a [[cardiologist]], a referral will be given.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> |
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The staff of a doctor's office usually consists of [[nurse]]s, [[receptionist]]s, and doctors. Sometimes, many doctors of different [[Specialty (medicine)|medical specialties]] may be housed in one building, allowing easy [[Referral (medicine)|referrals]]. |
The staff of a doctor's office usually consists of [[nurse]]s, [[receptionist]]s, and doctors. Sometimes, many doctors of different [[Specialty (medicine)|medical specialties]] may be housed in one building, allowing easy [[Referral (medicine)|referrals]]. |
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==Facilities== |
==Facilities== |
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Doctors' offices can range from spartan to luxurious. A basic office usually consists of a [[waiting room]] and |
Doctors' offices can range from spartan to luxurious. A basic office usually consists of a [[waiting room]] and examination room(s). Examination rooms usually consist of an [[examination table]], upon which the patient sits or lies down, and various other equipment, depending on the office. Examples of the equipment found in an examination room include:<ref>[http://www.kristensguide.com/Family/Fun_Kid_Stuff/pretend_and_learn_doctor.asp Kristen's Guide]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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* [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-american-history/features/take-three/take-three-the-doctor-s-office?&aggs[productTypes][filters]=JOURNAL_ARTICLE Three articles on "The Doctor's Office" in the journal ''Modern American History.''] |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Types of |
[[Category:Types of health care facilities]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:56, 15 April 2024
A doctor's office in American English, a doctor's surgery in British English, or a doctor's practice, is a medical facility in which one or more medical doctors, usually general practitioners (GP), receive and treat patients.[1][2]
Description[edit]
Doctors' offices are the primary place where ambulatory care is given, and are often the first place that a sick person would go for care, except in an emergency, in which case one would go to an emergency department at a hospital.[3]
In developed countries, where health services are guaranteed by the state in some form, most medical visits to doctors take place in their offices. In the United States, where this is not the case, many people who cannot afford health insurance or doctor's visits must either go to free or reduced-cost clinics or an emergency department at a hospital for care, instead of a doctor's office.[4]
For healthy people, most visits to doctors' offices revolve around a once-yearly recommended physical examination. This exam usually consists of gathering information such as a patient's blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and height, along with checking for any irregularities or signs of illness around the body.[5] GPs will also ask the patients about any mental health problems that they may be experiencing, and may refer them to a psychiatrist for further examination in the event that they do indeed have such problems. If there are any other health problems that must be addressed by a medical specialist, such as a cardiologist, a referral will be given.[5]
The staff of a doctor's office usually consists of nurses, receptionists, and doctors. Sometimes, many doctors of different medical specialties may be housed in one building, allowing easy referrals.
Facilities[edit]
Doctors' offices can range from spartan to luxurious. A basic office usually consists of a waiting room and examination room(s). Examination rooms usually consist of an examination table, upon which the patient sits or lies down, and various other equipment, depending on the office. Examples of the equipment found in an examination room include:[6]
References[edit]
- ^ Definition at The Free Dictionary
- ^ surgery noun (ADVICE) – definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus – Cambridge Dictionary Online
- ^ "NHS Services in England: NHS services explained: Your local GP practice". NHS Choices. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ How to Get Health Care While Uninsured | The Billfold
- ^ a b Annual Physical Exams: What to Expect
- ^ Kristen's Guide
Further reading[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doctors' offices.
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