I work as a General Practitioner and practice Family Medicine. GPs can be seen as the first port of call for most medical problems. This is called primary care. We are specifically skilled in providing comprehensive first contact care and continual care for people with any health concern not limited by the problem’s origin, a particular organ or diagnosis. Family medicine integrates care for patients of all genders and every age. We treat the whole person. Mind, body and spirit. The cornerstone of my practice is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focusing on your good health.
If you have any medical problem and want to know what to do next or who to see, start with your GP. Most of the time we can provide all the care you need and save the cost of referral. We are the only specialists qualified to treat most ailments and provide health care for people of all ages – from newborns to seniors. However, we also know exactly what problems need a specialist and when. As local community doctors we get to know all the specialists in the city so can provide you with a personalised referral and coordinate your care from there. Even after you’ve seen the specialist we confer with them, continue the care they started and communicate all this with you. A team of partners in health care is formed. Primary care physicians are advocates for the patient in coordinating the use of the entire health care system to benefit the patient.
As a GP I provide ongoing and personal care for chronic illness where I co-ordinate and continue the care provided by other specialists. Examples of chronic health concerns include: HIV, hypertension, heart diseases and stokes, diabetes, asthma, allergies, COPD, cancer, IBS, mood disorders and palliative care, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counselling, medical education, diagnosis and treatment of acute (new and unexpected) and chronic or old illnesses.
I practice this primary care from my office and also offer home visits for those too old or frail to get to my office. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, I provide preventative care like routine checkups, VISA Medicals, work-fitness assessments, immunizations and personalised counselling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One of my interests is in using nutrition, fitness and behaviour modifications for health. I studied Medical Nutrition Science through Stanford Medical School and completed my certificate summa cum laude.
In 2016, I first started working in the GP practice of Dr Jens Pieper who I trained under in Dermoscopy and Mole Mapping. I also worked for many years assisting Dr Hans Woermann, the consummate family physician, at Doctors Room on Kloof. I have worked as the apprentice of acclaimed female plastic surgeon Dr Nerina Wilkinson at her practice at The Cosmetic Surgery Institute (formally known as Renaissance), a boutique plastic surgery hospital in Bree Street, Cape Town. In 2017, we decided to take the leap and Dr Wilkinson opened an all women’s cosmetic practice in Granger Bay, forming Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates. I have enjoyed working closely with Dr Wilkinson honing my skills in non-invasive aesthetic medicine, fostering my love for Cosmetic Dermatology.
In 2020, I took over the practice of Dr Jens Pieper full time to combine my love of General Practice & my special interest in Dermatology. Dr Jens Pieper started the first FotoFinder Mole Mapping Clinic in South Africa and it has been an honour continuing his passion for skin cancer screening.
In 2022, I completed a Certificate in Dermatology focusing on the Management of Skin Disorders in Primary Care through the Division of Dermatology at The University of Cape Town. I also attended both the Aesthetic Medicine Congress of South Africa 2022 and the 6th Combined Dermatology Congress 2022 organized by The Dermatology Society of South Africa.
General practitioners offer “primary medical care” or first contact care. We participate in treating all major medical areas: paediatrics, gynaecology, medicine, psychiatry, neurology, surgery, geriatrics, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, radiology, orthopaedics, ENT and urology. Come to me for any of the following:
❧ COMMON health problems like rashes, colds and flus, ear problems, allergies, digestive problems, urinary tract infections etc.
❧ CHRONIC DISEASE management for illnesses such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, asthma, COPD, etc.
❧ CHILD HEALTH
❧ WOMEN’S HEALTH CHECKS including pap smears, contraception management like the insertion of Implanon and IUDs (mirena, kyleena, copper T, copper pearls ballerine etc).
❧ CANCER SCREENING: pap smears for cervical cancer, breast examination and planning of mammography/ultrasounds for breast cancer, prostate cancer checks, colorectal cancer screening, melanoma screening and mole mapping using the help of Artificial Intelligence and German dermatology software FotoFinder.
❧ MENTAL HEALTH for anxiety, depression, panic etc. We often start treatment programs and work closely with psychologists and psychiatrists in the city bowl
❧ AESTHETIC MEDICINE: antiaging, nutrition, botox, fillers, threads, chemical peels, cosmetic dermatology
❧ MOLE CLINIC & Mole Mapping with FotoFinder
❧ SEXUAL HEALTH, STD/STI screening and family planning/contraception.
❧ HIV care including PEP and PrEP
❧ NUTRITION, IBS management and weight management
❧ DERMATOLOGY for primary care. Skin conditions account for >30% of patient problems we see and treat. Common dermatological problems incl. rashes, dry skin and eczema, acne, hair loss, skin cancers, bites and stings, skin infections, genital ulcers, disorders of pigmentation, itch, warts and skin tags & sun damage.
❧ REFERRALS to specialists.
❧ Wound care
❧ Injuries and physiotherapy referral
❧ Travel consultations and VISA Medicals
❧ Vaccinations/ Immunizations (please email before hand to ensure stock)
❧ Allergies
❧ Small surgical procedures like suturing (stitches), removal of moles, treatment of ingrown toe nails, abscesses and sebaceous cysts etc.
❧COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY & LASER including Botox, Fillers, Laser, Radiofrequency Microneedling, Microneedling, Threads, Chemical Peels, IPL/BBL, tattoo removal, laser hair removal for the Aesthetic Improvement of the skin.
