ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some thoughts about the provision of general medical care, with examples of working practices which the author have found helpful, and which, almost incidentally, save money in his practice. Traditionally, general practitioners (GPs) have shown a shrewd suspicion of research which claims improved performance such as an impressive uptake of screening invitations. The GP will provide medical services of a certain range and style and patients will contribute to the success of the practice by valuing those services and using them wisely. Unreasonable behavior by a small proportion of patients produces in doctors behavior which affects adversely the availability and quality of care offered to everybody else on their list. Encouraging self-care of minor illness plays a small but important role in that process. Agencies charged with administering and supervising primary care would be wise to facilitate those processes.
