General Practitioners in Lebanon: Family Medicine and When to Skip the Specialist
AdvisorLB Team
The Lebanese reflex is to call a cardiologist for chest discomfort, a gastroenterologist for indigestion, a dermatologist for a rash. Most of these visits would be better handled by a competent family doctor who knows the patient's history — and the patient's wallet.
What a Good GP Does
- Annual physical with age-appropriate screening.
- Manages chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, asthma, mild depression.
- Acute care: respiratory infections, GI complaints, minor injuries.
- Vaccinations: travel, seasonal flu, tetanus.
- Referrals to specialists when actually needed, with a clinical question and history.
When to Skip and Go Direct to Specialist
- Cardiac chest pain with sweating/radiation — ER, not clinic.
- Sudden severe headache, vision changes — ER.
- Known chronic specialty conditions in active flare (Crohn's, MS, complex cardiac).
- Pregnancy → OB directly.
Choosing a GP
- Board-certified in family medicine or internal medicine.
- Practices in a hospital network you trust (affiliation matters for referrals and admissions).
- Spends 15+ minutes with you, asks history, examines you — not just a prescription pad.
- Open to digital communication for follow-ups.
Pricing
- Office visit: $30-60.
- Home visit (Beirut): $50-100.
- Many GPs accept NSSF and major private insurance with co-pay.