Just that three questions I've found useful as indicators of how patients
manage doctors or vice versa in a practice with a high workload: -
1. Do you give antibiotics for viral infections?
2. Do you do repeat visiting?
3. Do you phone every visit before going?
It's interesting to look at the answers and their implcations for the causes
of the high workload.
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul J Scott <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 23 February 1998 09:40
Subject: Re: Appointments or free surgery
>I can't see the direction this set of assumptions is going! We don't do
>repeat visiting, and although the doctors take every visit request call
>personally (well, not personally like we feel really offended, just that
>we have the call directed to us!), I don't think we are particularly
>devious in avoiding a visit when it is needed.
>
>I am intrigued by your line of thought. Lead me further!
>
>
>
>Lester Russell <[log in to unmask]> writes
>>QED, I'm afraid.
>>Do you also do repeat visiting and
>>do you 'phone every single request for a visit with the expressed
intention of
>>using every possible option (including admitting the patient without
seeing
>>them) to avoid a costly visit?
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: [log in to unmask] On Behalf Of Paul J Scott
>>Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 1998 10:36 PM
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Appointments or free surgery
>>
>>Almost never....well, sometimes.......well, if the patient has been
>>unwell for more than a week........well, often on Friday evenings.
>>
>>OK, OK, YES WE DO GIVE ANTIBIOTICS!!
>>
>>
>>
>>Lester Russell <[log in to unmask]> writes
>>>Question: do you give antibiotics for colds, flu and sore throats?
>>>
>>>Lester Russell
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: [log in to unmask] On Behalf Of Paul J Scott
>>>Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 1998 11:52 PM
>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>Subject: Re: Appointments or free surgery
>>>
>>>We have predominantly open surgeries. 2.75 WTE, 4600 rural practice,
>>>patients strongly encouraged to see own dr. Each morning 2 doctors
>>>available, 1 in evening (none Thu evening). Each Dr has 2 appointments
>>>at 11.00 and 11.15. Patients book in between 9.00 and 10.15, usually
>>>all are seen by 11.00. Book in between 17.00 and 18.30, usually all
>>>seen by 19.00.
>>>
>>>Currently we are suffering from winter infections, so surgeries are
>>>running up to 12.00 and 19.30, but for 10 months of the year numbers are
>>>more manageable. At the last questionnaire, over 90% of patients
>>>preferred to keep to an open system.
>>>
>>>Paul Scott
>>>
>>>> K M Chung <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>writes
>>>>>Like everyone else, we are experiencing ever increasing demand. I know
>>>>>that many surgeries have resorted to having free surgeries instead of
>>>>>appointments only with fit-ins.
>>>>>I wonder what are other people's experience of free surgeries.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>--
>Paul J Scott, Primary Care Physician, United Kingdom.
>Fax 44 (0)1935 410188
>
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