ABSTRACT
The general practitioner (GP) plays a unique pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson's disease (PD). James Parkinson himself was in general practice in Shoreditch, London, following in his father's footsteps. This chapter aims to facilitate greater understanding by GPs of their role in the management of Parkinson's disease. It also aims to assist members of the specialist PD team in understanding the structure of primary care and the role of the GP, and to emphasise the importance to the GP of the key recommendations of national guidelines. In the UK the basic unit of care in the community is the general-practice-based primary healthcare team. The GP provides the first point of contact with health services. This is at the request or demand of the patient and can be for any problem deemed medical by the patient.
