Doctors who take their time

Hi all,

From various conversations over the years, I've come to some conclusions about the kind of doctor ordinary people think as "good".

Generally, they seem to favour doctors who take a long time examining them.

I once got to observe a girlfriend being auscultated. The doctor listened to her lungs in several spots (perhaps 20+), back and front. Then he listened to her heart for at least ten minutes, in sitting, standing, and supine positions. Later, my girlfriend related her experience to her mother, who commented that this doctor was "a good old-fashioned doctor, paying real attention to the patient".

You can't argue with it, of course. The more time a physician gives you, the better he must be able to work out what (if anything) is wrong with you.

But would that doctor have given an equal amount of time to a 60-year-old fat guy as he did to my slender 24-year-old girlfriend?

At any rate, I'm definitely in the wrong profession. If I were a doctor I would examine young girls for ages, and build up a brilliant reputation for it 😄

Regards

At any rate, I'm definitely in the wrong profession. If I were a doctor I would examine young girls for ages, and build up a brilliant reputation for it 😄

Yes, but look at the reality. GPs don't have a rule imposed that enforces 10 minute appointments but in practice, that is what they have to aim for, as they simply don't have the time and resources to spend much longer. The problem is, a 10 minute appointment won't be anything like enough with some patients (particularly the elderly) who have multiple conditions to assess and manage. Consultations that are too short must surely undermine patient care and put some at risk.

I agree that most people will think of doctors who take a bit longer as a bit better, but personally I've had/met enough bad ones to know it's BULL.

Being extremely rushed isn't a good thing, but there's no reason a repeat prescription for the combined oral contraceptive should take half an hour, unless there's been an issue (weight gain, etc).

Another thing to note, is a lot of people will view someone as a 'better doctor' if instead of prescribing actual medication, they recommend a homeopathic remedy, or some herbal tea. If a doctor does that to you, RUN THE OTHER WAY.

Of course, the above statement is only true if you have an actual problem, if you're one of those 'imaginary illness' people then take your herbal tea placebo and be happy with it.

A playdoc taking their time, well obviously they shouldn't be limited to 10 minutes, but a real doctor? Efficiency and accuracy are not mutually exclusive.

Anyone who has lived in the UK will tell you how difficult it is to get a GP appointment on short notice , for a non urgent appointment the time is usually 2 weeks ( 2016 survey) . Even an emergency/urgent appointment can take up to a week at some GP surgeries. As previously mentioned by DrZ the 10 minute rule was scrapped in late 2013 /early 2014. Previously GP's in England had to offer appointments lasting at least 10 minutes.

British Medical Association's GP said that the 10-minute appointment just isn't appropriate any more. "Some patients just need a quick five minutes with us while other patients need much longer because of the complex nature of their health problems."

On average a GP appointment usually last 12 minutes according to NHS England .

Man With Stethoscope I doubt you would be able to:

At any rate, I'm definitely in the wrong profession. If I were a doctor I would examine young girls for ages, and build up a brilliant reputation for it 😄

In addition I suspect you would be up in front of the GMC disciplinary committee. Reality and fantasy are such polar opposite .

I have always hated the rushed nature of GP appointments , its no wonder that conditions get missed , as the pressure on GP's in increasing year on year. Compounded with an ageing GP population as well as an ageing population, the survival of people with multiple complex problems, the demise of social care.