Having come into general practice late, after a career in nephrology
where at SR stage I decided (partly for quality of life reasons,
believe it or not!) to change to GP. I have been very happy with my
new career but two things piss me off big time.
1. Home visits
After the initial, Oh! isn't this nice, seeing real people in their
homes on a sunny spring afternoon, I realised that most home visits
are completely unnecessary, and requested because the patients do not
have transport and can't afford a taxi.
Especially when one reads about the HV rate in US, ok I know that
their health care system is worlds apart but, they average 12 HV per
year! Something is very wrong somewhere with our system. It is surely
a cultural thing and what our patients have come to expect. I think it
needs addressing at a government level to re-educate patients about
what doctors can realistically provide.
2. Anxious parents
I have an interest in paediatrics within GP, but I am put off from
pursuing it due to the phenomenal anxiety in parents about their
children. I am a parent myself, of two lovely young toddlers and
every time I hear he/she never eats a thing (50+ centile on chart),
coughs all night, is just not him/herself with a fever, I despair.
How can we address these concerns. Parent classes, info leaflets?
Whatever I do, they never seem to be convinced, despite my most
convincing reassurances in my best Hilary Jones type voice of the
doctor who knows what he's talking about, they still think their
little Jake/Kylie has meningitis or measles.
To me these two areas are the major challenge for clinical general
practice for the moment.
Any suggestions?
--
[log in to unmask]
John McGuire
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I was looking for a job and then I found a job
and heaven knows I'm miserable now
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