A general medicine practitioner, commonly referred to as a GP, is a medical doctor who specializes in many diseases affecting the body, whose primary treatment does not involve surgery. General practitioners are trained to provide care for patients of all ages. This includes treatment for adults, adolescents, and children. Some general medicine practitioners may choose to become family doctors, treating patients of all ages and genders. A GP will provide treatment of acute non-life-threatening diseases, early detection and referral to a specialized doctor for patients with serious diseases, and preventive care including health education and immunization. They are highly knowledgeable of all types of branches of medicine but are unlikely to conduct surgeries or complex medical procedures.