>as nowadays patients who DO decide to go to the GP despite the inconvenience
>of doing so, arrive at the GP to find someone they have never seen before.Their records are there, but electronic records will eventually make info available anywhere, so no advantage.
>
>
I am not sure about this 'never see the same doctor' statement being used as a reason why people will attend primary care less. Most GPs value continuity of care and go to extra lengths to provide it. some pts do start consultations with 'well I usually see Dr so-and-so' but an assurance that any specific concerns will be passed on to that doctor usually settles them. The vast majority of practices have around 3-6 permanent GPs, maybe a trainee and a couple of locums they use regularly (usually at least one of whom is a partner who took early retirement). Most people are quite happy to see one of several doctors in a practice. It surprised me, after only a few months as a GP, that when I came back from a week's holiday I saw several patients who commented that they had tried to get an appointment with me, been offered one with another doctor but elected to wait until I was back. It does not take long for people to perceive you as 'their' doctor, far less than some would have you believe. When I left the practice after a six month locum post I spent a lot of time on reassurance and arranging handover of care to other GPs in the practice that each individual patient felt comfortable with. I have no doubt that each of them is now settled with another GP. I think the 'never see the same doctor' comment from patients is actually a polite way of saying 'there is a doctor at the practice I don't get on with and I'm tired of having to see them because I can't get an appointment with the one I want'.
(popular doctor's appointment lists fill rapidly; with four receptionists taking calls six hours of consulting can be booked between 0800 and 0815.)
FW
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