Physicians are expected to carry out their duties with high ethical standards and provide treatments in the patient's best interest. Physicians must also maintain knowledge of existing medical guidelines related to treatment. They must follow these guidelines and inform patients of their benefits. Codes of ethics require physicians only to recommend suitable treatments for the patient.
The following are examples of services offered by physicians.
Health Promotion Services
Health promotion is a set of strategies intended to promote a healthy lifestyle. Physicians recommend exercise, vaccinations, proper nutrition, stop-smoking programs, weight management, and healthy interpersonal relationships. Health promotion is generally indicated for healthy patients who wish to improve their quality of life by reducing the risk of developing future diseases.
Physicians advise their patients on practices that reduce disease susceptibility without causing harm or compromising rights, e.g., patient autonomy. Physicians are also required not to discriminate when providing health promotion services. Health promotion is usually provided during routine checkups. Some organizations or physicians have developed programs that focus on specific issues, such as gender-specific diseases, e.g., breast cancer screening.
Disease Prevention Services
Disease prevention includes strategies to reduce the risk of developing a disease. They include things like stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Disease prevention is often indicated for patients with an increased risk of developing certain diseases, e.g., individuals who are obese or smoke. Many physicians will recommend disease prevention to all their patients.
Physicians may provide disease prevention services by offering direct advice or counseling or referring patients to resources that offer specific techniques, e.g., stop-smoking programs. Physicians are expected to be aware of public health guidelines. They inform patients about risk factors associated with disease or treatments. However, they are not expected to provide their expertise beyond what is available in the general community.
Undertake Various Body Examinations
Both male and female physicians are required to give similar examinations. During a typical checkup, a physician will first listen to the heart and lungs and examine the abdomen by palpating it gently with their hands. The doctor then may conduct a neurological exam. This includes testing reflexes, muscle strength, and coordination of movements. Physicians will also conduct a visual exam by testing eyesight and other senses.
In a typical exam, the patient will be asked to strip down to their underwear while standing on a scale used to measure weight. The physician will typically aim for consistency when taking measurements, using the same scale every time and weighing themselves while wearing similar articles of clothing or none at all. Physicians also may test and observe the body for any signs of illness such as lumps, swollen glands, and rashes.
At the end of their training, life physicians must pass a board certification examination by an external agency. This process ensures quality and safety standards are met for patients. Once licensed, life physicians provide primary care to individuals or focus on sub-specialties. Many have additional training in a specific area.
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