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Physician associate… should I report? Yes or no?

355 replies

Elsie256 · 11/08/2023 23:04

phoned my GP to book an appointment, was told by reception I’d be seen by the emergency doctor covering.

i’ve really been struggling with really back pain and weight loss and was so grateful to have gotten an appointment. Arrived at the surgery and was called into the room and the guy introduces himself as ‘one of the medics’ , I go onto tell him my symptoms and he was very dismissive, told me I was probably overreacting and that I need not worry.

I felt something wasn’t right in how dismissive they were so I asked if I could see someone else at reception before I left the surgery.

the receptionist said ‘well if you’re still worried I can book you in with a doctor in a few days’. Turns out I’d seen a physician associate but they’d just introduced themselves as ‘one of the medics’ so I thought that meant doctor

finally got to see a doctor a few days later who looked very worried and referred me onwards straight away and very sadly been diagnosed with kidney cancer

I’m really upset about this initial visit to the GP and felt I was really misled especially as they didn’t properly introduce themselves and clearly didn’t have the appropriate clinical experience to recognise my symptoms were something more serious. should I be complaining?

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons82 · 11/08/2023 23:14

Yes, absolutely. He deliberately gave you the impression he was a doctor and missed red flags.

Symphony830 · 11/08/2023 23:13

I’m sorry about your diagnosis. Sounds like you knew this was something not to be dismissed - and you were right.

I think the responsible thing to do is to complain. You knew not to be fobbed off, but there are many out there who would have just gone with what this medic said - and that could lead to disastrous consequences. It will be a valuable lesson to this medic.

Elsie256 · 11/08/2023 23:13

would you have also assumed doctor if someone introduced themselves as ‘one of the medics’?

OP posts:
FloNightingale · 11/08/2023 23:10

Report them. Definitely. Although they don’t yet have a governing body, they will soon be governed by the GMC so I’d report them there as well.

Cherrysoup · 11/08/2023 23:06

Totally complain, that is outrageous. Unexplained weight loss should be investigated urgent. I’m sorry this was the diagnosis.

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