Anyone else noticed this when they visit the doctors?

[mathsQuizMe]

In the past 18 months I have visited the doctors twice. Both for separate, new problems.

Both times I have gone, the doctor has asked me what I think the problem could be. I found this odd as I'm going there for them to diagnose me, not to give them my suggestions.

When I gave a suggestion they both ( different doctors, different times ) gave a little laugh and tell me it's probably not that.

It then makes me feel like I'm being silly for even being there.

Is this something new that you have noticed? Prior to these two occasions I have never been asked what I think the problem could be, and definitely never been laughed at when voicing my concerns.

I've never had my GP ask this. That said, he does know that I'm a long term patient of Dr Google so I think he’s just waiting for me to eventually reveal what I've diagnosed myself with lol.

I quite like it tbh. I’m usually armed with a list of things it might be (and can distinguish between the ones which are unlikely but would be serious if it was, and the ones which are more likely). I like being asked up front as it saves me trying to bring up the things I’ve considered without treading on the doctor’s toes.

They all know we google so pointless trying to pussy foot round it IMO!

I can see how it would be annoying if you genuinely have no idea what’s wrong though.

I hate it when doctors say this, and I never know what to say in return. I guess they think they're showing that they are interested in my opinion, but it always comes across to me like "what the hell do you expect me to do about it". Excellent response that I will be using in future 😄

I've had situation where I've told Dr, what the problem is and the Dr has asked, what medication I think I should have. Had to bite my tongue and not reply, you're the Dr was hoping you would tell me.

I've noticed this in recent years and find it bizarre. Fair enough if they listened to the problem and then offered a range of educated options. But the way it's happened with me:

Me: I have terrible insomnia
Doctor: What do you want me to do about it?
Me: Blood tests??
Doctor: Sounds reasonable -- ticks off various tests on form
Me: Can we please add x test?
Doctor: Why?
Me: because a lack of it can cause a lack of sleep?
Doctor: Fair enough -- ticks extra box

Me: I'd like to make sure the HRT I have is suitable for me (and give v basic criteria)
Doctor: ---leafs through big book of medicine and reads out descriptions, and we kind of guess together

Ignore the crossings outs - always wondered how people did that, guess I know now!

What is a DOCTOR

Like a PP mentioned, ICE (Ideas, Concerns, Expectations) is taught as part of history taking now, so that we know what the patients agenda is, what they’re most worried about, and what they were hoping the outcome of the consultation would be.

Done sensitively and skilfully it is an ideal opportunity to have an honest conversation, give the patient important reassurance and validation, or a more thorough explanation. And sometimes for the HCP to reconsider if the patient happens to disclose further pertinent information during this part of the consultation!

Most patients have an idea of what's wrong with them before they attend the GP. The doctor is merely asking whether that's the case and, if so, will then address that specific concern. For example.... otherwise healthy and non-smoking young patient has a cough for a couple of weeks... the patient might be very anxious about their health and might believe they have lung cancer. The GP asks if they have an idea as to what might be wrong. They admit to being very worried about cancer. The GP can address that specific concern and likely reassure. It's very useful for a lot of people. If you don't know and genuinely haven't had any thoughts about it, just say that you don't know... there's no need to be sarcastic about it.

This whole reassurance thing can be a bit patronising and unhelpful if overdone though. I’ve been “reassured” a couple of times by GPs that cancer was very unlikely. Both times I hadn’t even mentioned cancer!

Once I had a lump in my breast. I was BF and was worried there was an infected blockage or abscess but got fobbed off with “don’t worry it’s unlikely to be cancer”. He was an older gent and really laid the reassurance on thick 🙄 wouldn’t even listen to what I was saying. I ended up seeing a different GP in the end.

Another time I had low iron and was trying to find out why, again got reassured it was unlikely to be cancer or anything serious. Well ok, I hadn’t even considered cancer actually! Even if it’s nothing serious I still want to figure out what’s wrong?

I do sometimes ask that when I feel
that someone doesn’t agree with my diagnosis. I exactly lain what the condition is - what the treatment is and if a referral
is needed. But, you can feel that someone doesn’t buy in to it.
for example, a lady I saw a couple of weeks ago, had incredibly dry eyes, caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. I explained what it was and she was convinced that she had glaucoma as her friend had similar symptoms when she had glaucoma.
I was able to explain what glaucoma was, show her the scans which showed that she didn’t have glaucoma and put her mind at rest.

Nb I’m not a doctor / I’m an optometrist.

In general I don't mind when they do this - I don't often see the Dr. But when I do I normally know what I want. It's much better than previously when I needed Prednisalone after a cold because of the impact on my asthma.

The Dr rather patronisingly told me he'd decide what I needed. Took some details and then decided I needed (yes you guessed it) prednisalone.

But when in Labour I asked for some pain relief and the midwife asked what did I want. I managed not to snap that they were the fucking health professional! I didn't end up getting any!

They shouldn't laugh it off. The best Dr I ever saw however asked me what I thought might be causing my headaches which prompted me to burst into tears and say I had no idea which was what was worrying me and then went through each of the major things and why she thought it wasn't it.

Interesting thread.
I had an accident last year. F1 in A&E refused to accept I might have broken a vertebrae and told me I hadn't and didn't need an XRay despite me explaining ad nauseum that the pain was exactly as it was when I broke the L1 five years previously and I had been treated for osteoporosis. She went as far as to tell me to be mindful of the risks of radiation. Got an XRay after I said I wanted it marked in my notes that she had refused the request. She showed me the film and said now, look, it's just the old fracture. Rest and pain relief will help until the muscles relax.

A radiology report noted that there fractures to the T12 and L1 but they appeared old.

After two months of agony I went to the GP and asked for a referral because the pain was exactly the same as when the L1 broke. Oh no dear, the report says it's old fractures. There's no reason to refer you. She handed me a copy of the report with a "now look stop being silly look on her face". She also refused to refer me for physio because ot would have cleared up by the time I got to the top of the list.

About a week later I filed the report it clearly said there were fractures to the L1 and the T12 although they appeared old. The bloody F1 had written in my notes that I had reported a fracture to the L1 and the XRay indicated fractures to L1 and T12. Although she chose not to tell me about the T12, presumably because she didn't want to lose face after arguing so vehemently that I didn't need an XRay and she knew best.

Idiocy compounds incompetence.

T12 fractured when I said it did. Private consultation and MRI confirmed it was a new fracture. Facilitated referral back to my rheumatologist, six months th later than it should have occurred.

I trust none of them nowadays. If my Dr were to ask what I wanted (and I don't think my practice gives a flying fuck what the patient wants; rather it's all about rationing care and fobbing off) I'd say to be an equal stakeholder, clarity, competence and honesty.

Oh and the info about the F1's notes I know about because I made a formal complaint.