Dr Jacques Malan Inc.

Competence in general practice shows itself in what you notice over time. A doctor who takes a proper history—not just the symptoms, but what's happening at work, whether you're sleeping, if stress has changed—often gets to the real issue faster than someone who runs straight to bloods. Experience matters in knowing which headaches warrant imaging and which don't, recognising when someone's fatigue is thyroid versus depression versus financial stress. In occupational health, it's the ability to think about workplace risk—what certificate someone needs, what restrictions make sense—without rubber-stamping forms. Good practitioners also stay current with medical aid changes and know how to advocate when insurance denies something genuinely necessary. You notice this when you're never left wondering why a decision was made, and when your concerns are actually addressed instead of dismissed.