general practitioner

Definition of general practitioner

: a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty broadly : generalist

Examples of general practitioner in a Sentence

Our family doctor is a general practitioner.

Recent Examples on the Web China also has about 20% fewer physicians per capita than Mexico and 70% fewer general practitioners than World Health Organization standards. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "A Made-in-China Contagion," 28 Jan. 2020 While general practitioners can treat basic skin conditions, many aren’t trained in dermatology—or other specialties. — Taylore Glynn, Marie Claire, "Dermatology Deserts: What to Do If You Live in One," 8 Jan. 2020 Prosecutors say the man went to both O’Hara, a pain management specialist and internal medicine, and Kendis, a private-practice general practitioner, to be treated for a number of physical ailments. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Cleveland-area doctors charged in patient’s 2014 overdose death prescribed him opioids after he got out of treatment, prosecutors say," 12 Dec. 2019 Arguably one of the deadliest globally was an English general practitioner named Harold Shipman, who an investigative panel determined was responsible for the deaths of 250. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "FBI: Inmate is the deadliest serial killer in US history," 7 Oct. 2019 Arguably one of the deadliest globally was an English general practitioner named Harold Shipman, who an investigative panel determined was responsible for the deaths of 250. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "FBI: Inmate is the deadliest serial killer in US history," 7 Oct. 2019 What’s more, the government aims for 85% of patients referred by their general practitioner for cancer treatment to be seen by a specialist within two months. — Jenny Anderson, Quartz, "Britain’s NHS is failing patients more than ever: Will it matter to voters?," 14 Nov. 2019 After his course of chemo, a general practitioner left him with the impression that his cancer was not responding to treatment. — Tal Kopan, SFChronicle.com, "How Mark DeSaulnier’s cancer gave him new purpose in politics," 1 Nov. 2019 Still, Poliklinik sees only about 850 unique patients every three months, far short of the area's 5,000 residents, said Dr. Phillip Dickel, a general practitioner at the clinic. — Shefali Luthra, chicagotribune.com, "In Hamburg, ‘gesundheit’ means more than a wish for good health," 23 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'general practitioner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“General practitioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20practitioner. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for general practitioner

general practitioner

noun

English Language Learners Definition of general practitioner

: a person (especially a doctor) whose work is not limited to a special area : a person who is not a specialist

See the full definition for general practitioner in the English Language Learners Dictionary

general practitioner

noun

Medical Definition of general practitioner

: a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty Dr. Thomas, Sr., could carry virtually the full armamentarium of the medicine of his day in a single black bag, and very nearly all of medical knowledge in his head. Today the general practitioner is a vanishing breed, and specialists cannot use their time effectively traveling from patient to patient.— John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, 3 May 1992 The primary-care doctor is gaining new respect in Washington. Battles may be breaking out left and right over the various health-care bills emerging from Congress, but reformers on both sides agree that general practitioners should be given a central role in uniting the fragmented U.S. medical system.— Catherine Arnst, Business Week, 6 July 2009

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