[Engineering-MD]

I practice in the UK. The system is far from perfect, but does to a certain extent work in the idealistic system you propose. It is not true for all GPs, and some don’t practice holistic medicine, but the system is created to allow (and encourage) this method, and in my experience holistic medicine is practiced by GPs. Perhaps things differ in the USA, but this system works well in the UK.

[dalbasal]

I live in Dublin, so not that far. GPs here are generally private, though kids, older people and lower income people are subsidized or free. Some other parts of the medical system are more like yours. It's an eclectic system.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with the way primary care works here. It works well. I didn't mean any of this as a slight on the job doctors do. But... I also think pharmacists and other trained people can prescribe medication, tests and such. There is value in accessibility. If they can (as I think some of these ideas take as premise) provide walk in service, there is good reason to do it.

I know people prescribed antidepressants from GPs, in the UK as well. 10 minute appointments several times per year.