Aibu to not want the waiting room to know my name?

[Ohdearducks]

New system introduced at my doctors today, each patients name is flashed up when it's your turn to be seen.
Aibu to feel uncomfortable about it? For context I am shy, socially anxious and I admit a bit paranoid at times but it just feels a bit disarming for everyone to know who you are when you've not volunteered the info yourself?
I do actually sound a bit U don't I?🙈 But maybe I'm not the only one who feels this way?

[HRarehoundingme]

What do you think they'll do with your name?

What other system would you prefer?

[NoahVale]

no yanbu
I think I would feel exactly the same, when I have seen this system on GPs behind Doors on Channel 5, I think, hmm, not sure about that.

[NoahVale]

is there an option for privacy?

[eurochick]

Every GP I have been to in the past decade has had this system. I can't say it has ever bothered me. Can you figure out why you are uncomfortable with it?

[BonusNewt]

What did they do before? Did they not just yell "Ohdearducks, Room 3"? A flashing name is more discreet surely?

[mintthins]

Have they not always called out your name? Is this not just a variation? Other than maybe giving everyone a number as they check in, I'm not sure how this could be avoided.

[WuTangFlan]

Are you Rumpelstiltskin, OP?

[SealSong]

I think this is your anxiety talking here.
I can't see any particular reason why having your name visible would cause problems.
What is it that you imagine may happen if your name is shown?

I walk around all day with a staff name badge on, over the course of a week a hundred or more people will see my name. Can't see the issue.

[Itisnoteasybeingdifferent]

DP now has to go to the local Chemist for an eye examination. These used to be done in the hospital. There is a good chance of being recognised by people we know..

Not that favourably impressed..

[MrsJayy]

What did you do before this system surely a receptionist shouting out your name is worse ? Im sorry you are feeling uncomfy though going go the drs can be stressful enough with out a flashing sign announcing your name,

[FranHastings]

I don't think I've ever paid any attention to the names that weren't me, if that makes any difference. I really wouldn't remember it.

[NoahVale]

but i think people pay less attention to Hearing a name called out, since it is not their name.
but seeing it written there, flashing, everyone looks at it. i agree with you op.

[ItsJustNotRight]

Well since it's part of your general anxiety I think it quite reasonable to expect a Dr of all people to understand this. Ask if the could call you by "number one" instead. Ask them to mark it on your file so they remember but also remind them at each appointment. You'd better check with the dr once behind closed doors that you are who they were expecting to see.

[BellaGoth]

Our surgery does this. I don't like that they flash your name and exactly where you're going. Not the room number, but the thing you're there for. So it's "Bella Goth for phlebotomy" or "Bella Goth for smear clinic".

So no, YANBU.

[DeleteOrDecay]

We have the name screen at our GP surgery, never had a problem with it except that sometimes the name doesn't flash up for long enough to see the room number.

Don't surgeries who don't have this system shout names out to the waiting room? So either way the whole room will hear/see your name in some capacity.

YABU. I doubt anyone else really cares, they're more interested in hearing/looking out for their own name to be called.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

I'm anxious about privacy and my gp has this system - it doesn't bother me. My old gp would come out of the room and call out my name, so my name was still publicised to the room. Can't see how they can do it otherwise. What system would you prefer?

I've never remembered any other peoples names I've heard in there. Too busy wanting to catch my own. Everyone else is likely the same.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Isn't it the same as someone calling your name out? Anyone who was remotely interested in knowing your name would hear it called & then see you stand up.

I used to work in a GP's surgery where they used this system. The name doesn't stay on the screen for very long. I really wouldn't worry.

Does your surgery have the system set to display just first name & surname? So Jane Smith e.g.? Ours used to have prefix/initial/surname. If that combination was too long for the screen, it would miss out the initial. So fine if you are Miss Longishname, not so fine if you are Master Bates .

[peachesandcreamdream]

Presumably they've called your name aloud before rather than send you telepathic messages that the doctor is ready to see you.

It may sound harsh but no one is interested in your name flashing up

Works well for those who are hard of hearing too.

[TaurielTest]

I know what you mean OP - my GP uses Title Firstname Surname on their screens and I'd be more comfortable with just surname. I guess an anonymised system could be based simply on the (intended) appointment time and the name of the person you're seeing, but that might need more mediation from receptionists since patients are more likely to forget that than their own name...

[BonusNewt]

OP, I honestly pay absolutely no attention to names other than mine flashing up, apart from to think "God, not me again, when will it be me, when, when?"

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I can't remember anyone's names other than mine at the doctors. You're not really listening, you're doing a "is that my name?" check. I bet nobody could name the last person that was called if it wasn't them.

I'd probably notice something out of the blue like "number one", though. Just because it's different, so you'd automatically notice it.

I wouldn't give this any further thought, I expect it's your anxiety reacting to something else and transferring to this. I hope you feel better soon

[Glastonbury]

Ours has always been like that. How else would they call you in?

[MrsJayy]

Oh i would hate that MRSJAYY smear clinic thats awful and a real invasion of privacy

[LineyReborn]

Our local hospital has now moved to numbers only, and better organised waiting areas, which I prefer.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

WuTang