General Medical issues thread

[MARTINE]

Yes but who? There are 3-4 decent doctors at the Medical centre we visit. They all know a little bit about something but I don't think they are good all rounders.

So aside from medical centre how do we find a good GP? It is very difficult.


Which recommendations? I can go to 3 different GPs and each one will recommend something different.

I see it a lot with my wife's issues. She's been having lower back and sciatica issues, the last GP we saw (and one I least expected) recommended muscle relaxant and that has done the trick. We also saw quite a few urology registrars and it was only the previous one that advised Hipprex and the latest registrar also recommended cranberry tablets and probiotics.

It is so difficult to find a great GP and even specialists.

Also in Australia we have a huge problem that we don't provide free mental care. Yes if you're suicidal there's help but what about the rest? Get a referral to see a psychiatrist and hope they have the answers?

A good GP knows you very well and practices evidence based care — seeing multiple drs invariably means none get the full picture as good health is a complex long term partnership. It also adds confusion, does not promote health literacy and is ultimately counterproductive and stressful for the patient who finds the disparate advice hard to understand.

The pressures of time makes continuity even more important. Good GP’s may also push back on automatically prescribing what you think you need. Good doctors also spend as much time on the lifestyle determinants of health (weight/nutrition/smoking) as they do writing prescriptions. This is positive not a negative if they are thorough and know what not to miss.

These are general observations as a retired medico - you asked what is a good GP.

By all means patients should seek advice elsewhere your real needs are not well understood

That said - it would be unlikely there is not a single good GP in all of Brisbane.

Ask colleagues or friends whose opinion you respect.

I do wish you well as I can see you struggle with your health. Beyond Blue and many organisations provide good free resources to promote health literacy. As a good GP can help you access.

 

[Flashback]

A good GP knows you very well and practices evidence based care — seeing multiple drs invariably means none get the full picture as good health is a complex long term partnership. It also adds confusion, does not promote health literacy and is ultimately counterproductive and stressful for the patient who finds the disparate advice hard to understand.

The pressures of time makes continuity even more important. Good GP’s may also push back on automatically prescribing what you think you need. Good doctors also spend as much time on the lifestyle determinants of health (weight/nutrition/smoking) as they do writing prescriptions. This is positive not a negative if they are thorough and know what not to miss.

These are general observations as a retired medico - you asked what is a good GP.

By all means patients should seek advice elsewhere your real needs are not well understood

That said - it would be unlikely there is not a single good GP in all of Brisbane.

Ask colleagues or friends whose opinion you respect.

I do wish you well as I can see you struggle with your health. Beyond Blue and many organisations provide good free resources to promote health literacy. As a good GP can help you access.

The challenge I have here, is the earliest appointment I can get with my preferred GP is a 3-6 week (and that's booking with them while in an appointment). Needless to say (for better or worse) I just don't go to the GP anymore unless it's absolutely necessary. The same GP gave me a plan B way of getting in touch, but I tried that recently and it...... didn't work, so I just gave up. I've tried 3 other GPs there and they've been useless. When I did finally wait and get to see my preferred one and told her the 'advice'/'care plan' I was given by the other GPs she was shocked..... and requested that I just see her (easier said than done). For now, I just continue to white knuckle it. But, I'm following all other (useful) guidance and eating well/exercising (and no, underlying condition isn't related to weight, albeit at 80kg I feel quite overweight), but even that's not working now and having little effect. C'est la vie!

 

[MARTINE]

The challenge I have here, is the earliest appointment I can get with my preferred GP is a 3-6 week (and that's booking with them while in an appointment). Needless to say (for better or worse) I just don't go to the GP anymore unless it's absolutely necessary. The same GP gave me a plan B way of getting in touch, but I tried that recently and it...... didn't work, so I just gave up. I've tried 3 other GPs there and they've been useless. When I did finally wait and get to see my preferred one and told her the 'advice'/'care plan' I was given by the other GPs she was shocked..... and requested that I just see her (easier said than done). For now, I just continue to white knuckle it. But, I'm following all other (useful) guidance and eating well/exercising (and no, underlying condition isn't related to weight, albeit at 80kg I feel quite overweight), but even that's not working now and having little effect. C'est la vie!

I am sorry to hear its not going well Flashback.

The UK system is one of which I am unfamiliar and can see access is an issue.

Is there any way the system will allow you to book regular reviews frequently so you have more time with the good GP even if relatively well at some visits?

All the best

 

[Flashback]

I am sorry to hear its not going well Flashback.

The UK system is one of which I am unfamiliar and can see access is an issue.

Is there any way the system will allow you to book regular reviews frequently so you have more time with the good GP even if relatively well at some visits?

All the best

Unfortunately not! Just 1 at a time. I'm used to it, so I just work within the constraints and try not to let it get me down That's all you can do really and hope in the meantime things don't spiral. There is only so much you can control.

For 1 thing, I'm able to take a semi private route (didn't have the £10k handy to go fully private as I've been out of work more than a year now), but still a 6-9 month wait (beats the 5-8 year wait in our area for public at least...).

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Years ago at a coughtail party we were discussing medical matters. The lady I was speaking with said for anything important you should never go to a doctor on your own but take an advocate with you. Because half the time you only absorb half of what the doctor says. She also suggested jotting down notes in the event of more serious matters. Perfect case in point - My husband had a heart attack some 6 months after that discussion and then years later had tongue cancer. I started a journal with the heart issues and every checkup, with doctor visit,s surgeon, professors that have gone on for the last 20 years I have noted down. It's amazing what I hear as opposed to what he hears. It's also quite illuminating to find out stuff s& symptoms said husband may not have mentoned. I should add that over those last 20 years I've never had a doctor be dismissive or unhelpful if I've asked for clarification. He's in good health thankfully - and I'll never ever complain about our Medibank premiums

My mother in law records all medical appointments on her iPhone. Reasonable being so that she can listen to it again and not forget things.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Unfortunately not! Just 1 at a time. I'm used to it, so I just work within the constraints and try not to let it get me down That's all you can do really and hope in the meantime things don't spiral. There is only so much you can control.

For 1 thing, I'm able to take a semi private route (didn't have the £10k handy to go fully private as I've been out of work more than a year now), but still a 6-9 month wait (beats the 5-8 year wait in our area for public at least...).

We book an appointment with our GP every 3 weeks. If we don’t need it, then we share the time with family members and transfer the appointment. If not cancel it a few days prior and it’s always snapped up.
It’s mostly taken up by us or with family members.