ISCO 08 Code 2211                  Generalist medical practitioners  

Lead Statement

Generalist medical practitioners diagnose, treat and prevent illness, disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans through application of the principles and procedures of modern medicine.  They do not limit their practice to certain disease categories or methods of treatment, and may assume responsibility for the provision of continuing and comprehensive medical care to, and the maintenance of general health of, individuals, families and communities.

Task statement

Tasks include:

• conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families  to determine their health status ordering laboratory tests,  X-rays and other diagnostic procedures and analysing findings to determine the  nature of disorders or illnesses;
• providing continuing medical care for patients including prescribing, administering, counselling on and monitoring curative treatments and preventive measures;
• performing surgery and other clinical procedures;
• advising individuals, families and communities on health, nutrition and lifestyle which aid prevention or treatment of disease and disorders;
• providing referrals to patients and families for specialized care in hospitals, rehabilitation centres or other types of health care centres;
• identifying, managing and providing referrals for complications before, during and after childbirth;
• recording patients' medical information and history and exchanging information with specialist practitioners and other health workers as required for continuing medical care;
• reporting births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities to meet legal and professional requirements;
• conducting research in human health and medical services and disseminating the findings such as through scientific reports
• planning and participating in programs designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of common diseases.

Included occupations

Examples of the occupations classified here:

• District medical doctor - therapist
• Family medical practitioner
• General practitioner
• Medical doctor (general)
• Medical officer (general)
• Resident medical officer specializing in general practice
• Physician (general)
• Primary health care physician

Excluded occupations

• Specialist physician - 2212
• Surgeon - 2212
• Psychiatrist - 2212
• Clinical officer - 2240
• Feldscher - 2240

Notes

Occupations included in this category require completion of a university-level degree in basic medical education plus postgraduate clinical training or equivalent for competent performance. Medical interns who have completed their university education in basic medical education and are undertaking postgraduate clinical training are included here. Although in some countries ‘general practice’ and 'family medicine' may be considered as medical specializations, these occupations should always be classified here.

Comments

ISCO 88 Code(s) 2221, part