ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the philosophy of general practice. Most countries have some such system but whereas in the UK it is called 'general practice' in other countries it may be 'family practice', 'primary medical care' or 'primary health care'. The chapter describes briefly some of the outside organizations with which general practice relates as the new functions and structure of these may be less well-known to practice managers. Most countries have some such system but whereas in the UK it is called 'general practice' in other countries it may be 'family practice', 'primary medical care' or 'primary health care'. In England the Family Health Services Authority (FHSA) is accountable to the Regional Health Authority. The functions of the FHSA, in relationship to general practice, are to: manage the contracts of general practitioner (GP), pay GPs, provide information to the public, deal with complaints made by patients, and assess the health needs of the population.
