Do you shake your doctor's hand? (GP)

[Monetsbridge]

I enjoy watching "GPs Behind Closed Doors" - new series has been on recently, and all the old series are showing once a day. I'm struck by how many patients shake the doctors' hands, at the start and/or the end. I've never done this! I don't know if I'm being rude. I say hello at the start and thank you at the end, but that's it. Lots of the patients call them "doctor" as well, but I suspect that's regional; I don't do that either - I say Dr. So-and-So if I'm asking for an appointment with her or talking about her in some context, but never just 'doctor', and never her first name, though I know some people do use first names for them.

I have possibly shaken hands with consultants in hospital, though I think only if they have offered their hand first. I wouldn't routinely shake hands with anyone like that.

I didn't grow up in this country.

Might create a lot of extra hand-washing for the doctors

It's a fascinating show, if you've never watched it. And interesting to see the pre-Covid, during-Covid, and post-Covid differences, especially with some of the updates at the end. You used to find out what happened to the patients, and now you just get "X is on the waiting list for..." . Or in how frequently people come in and for what, and how quickly - that's all changed too.
And some of the doctors on it are just SO nice. I don't think it's just because they're being filmed, either, as it goes on for months, and they only choose some consultations to put in the show but they're filmed all the time. Others I wouldn't really want as my GP. But some of them are really lovely.

well this is all a relief, glad to hear it doesn't seem to be done any more, at least in much of the country.

I find mine quite intimidating too

Never once done this! I always go in and say “hello, nice to see you/meet you, how are you?” That’s enough friendliness for me 😂

No I never have. Didn’t over to me to. I just say a quick hello and explain why I’m there. Time is usually short.

Maybe the same people who say 'thank you driver' getting off the bus? I always say thank you but never driver! I don't shake hands with doctors either, they clearly don't want to have to wash their hands and additional five times an hour or whatever.

usually “thanks drive” here!

I did hug my endometriosis surgeon when I saw her for my follow up because I was so bloody grateful

I've never shaken hands with my GP, I just say thank you doctor at the end of the appointment. My GP gave me a hug once when I was very upset, but she's just a lovely warm person!

I've been a GP for nearly 25 years. I doubt that the number of patients who have shaken my hand reaches double figures.

I used to watch it pre COVID but post COVID the GP service has simply never gone back to normal. Most things are done online and appointments are with nurses rarely GPs. So how can they still be making it? Surely it is a nostalgia programme like the GP home visits in Call The Midwife.

I am guessing it might be regional, too. One episode had a family with each of the children individually shaking the doctor's hand! I guess also if you see your parents doing it, and if you are at a surgery where several doctors do, then it becomes the culture of that area.

My GP doesn't touch me unless she has to. Some of the GPs on the show are quite comforting with upset people or people that they care about.

It had a few years off, but is back this year in Fulham (I think), and there are lots of GP appointments happening at the practice there, including a couple of very lovely GPs.

Others they do show appointments with nurses, physios, paramedics, and so on, or the ubiquitous "clinician" or "practitioner", which is a term that already makes me sceptical. So the show was never intended to just be about GPs.

I was just thinking today that I would love to have Dr Aireen Abdul Razak off that programme as my GP... she seems such a warm, rounded human being but also so on the ball medically. Really seems to see the patients as full human beings. It must take a lot out of her. ❤️

I've never shaken my doctor's hand and always call them by their first name, which is common here (NZ).

But talking of handshakes, I've shaken a consultant's, oncologist's and breast cancer nurses' hands at the end of treatment, but rarely GPs, unless it seemed to be going that way...

Hi. No shaking hands for me I hate it when someone offers their hand and I'm obligated.

When I have an appointment with the doctor I do however say good morning Doctor and thank you Doctor at the end. I just like to do that. I think it's a respect thing learnt from my parents.

X

I don't even know how I would go about shaking their hand! They come to the door and call you through, then by the time you reach the doorway they've sat themselves down in front of the computer and gesture to a chair to sit on. Would feel incredibly awkward going over to them with my hand out.

I don't think I have an assigned GP, I've only been with my son and seen a different GP each time.

NHS GPs - no, they never offer.
Private GPs/consultants - yes, they always offer.

not with my general GP, but the private consultants always put their hand out to shake mine first.

GP, no. Consultant/registrar yes

Same here, GP no, consultant yes.

Never shaken a doctors hand! I mean, if they put their hand out I’d shake it but this has never happened either.

Why? What's the difference between a GP and a specialist that you would shake the hand of one but not the other? This all just seems so odd

Never done this

No, they’ve never initiated a handshake, and I think that in that sort of situation where they know who you are, and are introducing themselves to you (I’ve never seen the same GP twice), etiquette would be for them to put their hand out first (“hi, Ms Smith. I’m Dr Jones” extend hand).

Oddly, like a PP said, the only time I’ve had a medical professional shake my hand has been private comsultants.

I don't offer to shake their hand, they offer to shake mine.

Why so formal? I rarely see the same GP twice but they introduce themselves with their name and call me by mine. Even my late 80s parents called their GP by name rather than "Doctor" and their GP never called them Mr or Mrs.