The 21st century GP: physician and priest?

drug', and considered the benefits, side-effects, and overdose effects of this drug. 3 From this perspective, Balint asked doctors to recognise that the GP role goes beyond their medical expertise. Currently, the training of GPs is systematic and deliberate, encompassing some time in hospital specialties and at least a year in general practice under supervision. GPs are no longer freshly qualified doctors with limited knowledge and skills, but are instead specifically trained in a variety of skills and knowledge in order to deliver appropriate and suitable primary care to a designated practice population. The softer, less traditional part of this training (featuring such aspects as how to avoid burnout, how to consider one's role in the surgery, and how to manage vague presentations), is often criticised as 'tree hugging'. However, the importance of such training only becomes apparent to the trainee on becoming a fully-fledged, autonomous GP, where perhaps they see their job in a different light. We suspect this depends on who you ask. GPs of course play a variety of roles to different people. Some patients expect a quick fix for an irritating malady; others expect some detective work regarding an interesting ailment. Some want an explanation of a longstanding problem, or a translation of the explanations offered by other doctors. To some, we are an administrator, filling in forms and signing prescriptions. To others, a lifestyle guru (or, from another perspective. 'a coercive healthist'), 4 offering advice about smoking cessation, weight loss, and exercise. Some patients simply want a trusted friend, a detached professional, or a person to talk to in times of woe. GPs have to address any condition that the patient brings to us. This is genuine patient centredness, as it is the patient who decides what to bring. Clearly, a significant proportion of consultations do not fit neatly into a specific mechanistic medical box, and cannot be entered as convenient Read codes on our ever-present computerised files. In the UK, it is increasingly noted that maladies of lifestyle (obesity, stress, alcoholism), are characterised as medical problems. Indeed, even social problems (relationship difficulties, bullying at school, anger), seem to have fallen into the GP's sphere of responsibility. Why do people come to their doctor with these problems? Is it because they value the integrity of their GP and are confident that any advice given will be grounded in common sense? Is it because they believe …