General Medicine in Iran

General medicine focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs. A medical doctor who specializes in general medicine is usually called a general medicine doctor or a general physician (GP). Although they mostly treat adults, they may also treat adolescents and children. They treat all medical conditions, including conditions that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematological, or endocrine systems. Some of the most common conditions general medicine doctor can treat include but are not limited to:

• Respiratory system, including lung fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, and Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular system, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina).
• The neurological system, such as cerebrovascular accident (strokes), dementia, and epilepsy (seizures).
• Gastrointestinal system, including gastroenteritis and liver disease (such as alcoholic liver disease).
• Hematological, such as anemia.
• Endocrinological, such as pituitary disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.

A general medicine doctor can arrange a wide range of tests, such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure test, urinalysis (U/A), blood sugar level, and fecal occult blood tests. They may also arrange laboratory investigations, such as blood tests or other fluid samples from other parts of the body. Occasionally, they may also arrange a biopsy for diagnosis, which will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. General medicine doctors can also work with radiologists to use X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine specialists for certain tests, such as PET scans. They may also refer patients to another specialty for special tests, such as a cardiologist for an angiogram and a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.

Common procedures or interventions that general medicine doctor perform are as follows:

• Perform clinical examinations of patients to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the patient’s condition.
• Interpret findings from investigations, such as blood tests, to help reach a diagnosis.
• Use life support skills and emergency procedures, such as defibrillation, when necessary.

How Long Should I Stay in Iran?      

You can leave the medical facility immediately after, plan to stay at least 2 to 5 days in Iran for a follow-up appointment. During the follow-up appointment, your doctor evaluates how your body is responding to treatment or, if you had diagnostic tests, explain the results, and discuss the treatment plan with you. However, if your doctor tells you that no follow-up appointment is necessary, you should be allowed to leave for home on the same day. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the illness or disease you have and your overall health. You will be advised to take several days off work and avoid strenuous activities to allow your body to recover. Your doctor will let you know the specific time you can return to work and your normal activity. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you an aftercare instruction tailored to your particular condition, which may include activity restriction and recommended diet. Your doctor may likely prescribe medicine as well. It is important to take the medicine as directed and follow all the instructions closely. They will also let you know if you need follow-up appointments. For certain illnesses, they may refer you to a specific specialist.

What's the Success Rate?

For many people, general medicine is the first point of treatment. It has a high success rate in diagnosing and treating many conditions, as well as referring patients to the relevant specialist for specialized treatments. Experienced and skilled general medicine doctors can learn a great deal by simple observation. Looking at hands, nails, skin, mouth, and eyes, as well as examining your lungs, heart, and abdomen can give them some clues and help them decide on the most appropriate tests to undertake to confirm their clinical suspicions. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your condition. For example, you should be able to see a cardiologist for heart conditions without talking to your general medical doctor first. However, in some cases, you may need a referral from your general medical doctor to see other specialists.

General Medicine in and around Iran

Introduction

Iran is a country situated in Western Asia, as well as the second-largest in the Middle East. It is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, starting from the fourth millennium BC when the Elamite Kingdoms were formed. Iran is widely known as the jewel in Islam’s crown, filled with awe-inspiring architecture and friendly people. The country is also a popular medical tourism destination due to its efficient healthcare system and experienced specialists. The medical centers in the country keep pace with the latest medical developments and provide top-class services. International medical tourists usually come to Iran for cosmetic procedures, which are currently witnessing a vast growth. Cosmetic procedures in the country, such as rhinoplasty and hair transplant, are performed with advanced scientific techniques and are highly successful. Furthermore, the healthcare cost in the country is a lot more affordable than in many other Western countries.

Popular Cities and Regions in Iran

The capital of Iran, Tehran, is the most populous city in the country. Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Alborz mountain range, the city is filled with museums, restaurants, parks, and friendly people. The most popular landmark in this city is the Azadi Tower, which is the symbol of the city. Besides this tower, visitors can also go to the Tehran City Theater to see its amazing architecture, explore the Treasury of the National Jewels to admire the largest collection of jewels found in the world and visit the Golestan Palace, which is the oldest historic monument in Tehran. Besides Tehran, Tabriz is another popular city and it is a modern industrialized city with a very rich history and historical monuments, such as the Blue Mosque and El Goli.

Transport in Iran

The main international airport is the new Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. It serves international flights to and from numerous cities around the world, including Dubai, Ankara, London, Bangkok, and Beijing. Budget airlines are operating from this airport, such as Pegasus Airlines and Air Asia. To get around Iran, domestic flights are affordable and fast. Buses and trains are also widely available with extensive networks. Taxis are best for inter-city travel.

Visas in Iran

Iran allows citizens of 16 countries to visit without a visa for up to 90 days, including Armenia, China, and Malaysia. Most citizens of other countries can obtain a visa on arrival. However, visa on arrival does not apply to citizens of 14 other countries, such as the US and the UK.

Weather in Iran

Iran experiences four seasons. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September –October) are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summer (June to August) can be scorching hot, with the temperatures soaring to 37°C. The winter can get bitterly cold as the temperatures drop to 0°C.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Iranian rial (IR). 1 USD is approx. 41,921 IR.
2. Money & Payments: You cannot use ATMs, credit or debit cards, or traveler's cheques in Iran. Therefore, bring all you’ll need in cash.
3. Local Language: Persian is the official language in Iran. However, the country has several main languages, including Azerbaijani and Kurdish. Not many people speak English in the country. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: About 99% of Iran’s population is Muslims, with the Shia branch of Islam as the biggest. The two largest non-Muslim religious minorities are Christianity and Bahá'í Faith. 
5. Public holidays:  Islamic Revolution Day, Nature Day, Eid e-Fitr, and Eid-e-Qorban are some of the most important public holidays in Iran.