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.

No, but that's usually because when the GP comes into reception to call me in for my appointment I've got to gather up my coat, bag phone and/or book ,then follow them down the corridor to their consulting room.

No, never have.

Not the GP , but I have been offered the handshake from Consultants .

I'm an HCP , I never handshake unless a patient offers . When they come into the room I do introductions , check DoB , update , settle them in the chair and wash my own hands etc

Not if he has just checked out my prostate. 😊

I’m a GP, and when I first started working - nearly 20 years ago now - it was certainly the done thing to shake hands with patients when they entered the room. I rarely do it nowadays, although I think a large part of that is because I’ve been in the one practice for several years now and so most of my patients are ‘old friends’ at this stage. They mostly call me Dr. FirstName, or just FirstName.

Never with my GP. He’s really casual and goes by his first name and will randomly start talking about bands he likes 😂.
I used to pay privately for a consultant surgeon and he always shook my hand.

Good grief, no! They are dealing with germy people all day (which might include me.) No need for any touching unless it's necessary for some examination or other. I say hello and thank you and goodbye, though.

I'd hope he'd wear gloves (and remove them before any hand shaking activity)

It’s not me being formal. I’ve never had a GP introduce themselves with anything other than “Dr xx” or call me anything other than “Ms xx”.

If they called me by my first name, and introduced themselves with theirs, I’d have no issue with it at all.

I wonder if other people shake hands regularly, at work for example. It’s not something that often happens to me so I’ve always felt a bit awkward about it. It feels very old fashioned to me. But maybe if you work in a formal sector, like law or banking, it feels perfectly natural.

Yeah I hardly ever shake hands in other situations. I shook hands this week at a job interview. But before that probably not for a while.

I like this programme, but I have never shaken a GPs hand. I wonder if it’s because they are being filmed ? Although one or two go in and just sit down in the chair , which is what I do and I say hello to the doctor and then tell them what’s wrong. My dad used to like shaking hands , but most GPs don’t extend a hand to shake. Too busy making sure you only get ten minutes to see them.

No, well unless they go to shake me then I obviously would but I wouldn't offer first

I wonder if the consultant/GP difference is because there are more women GPs and people are less likely/less used to shake a woman's hand. Or a consultant seems more formal because you don't see them often or wait ages for it, so it's more of an unusual thing - some of them are more smartly dressed too, depending on the specialty - and maybe also some of them are less likely to have people with contagious illnesses or messy things to deal with.

I would prefer mine called me by my first name, even if I call her Dr X, because it would feel more like she knew/remembered me, whereas when she calls me Ms X it feels like I'm just another face/number that she barely knows. (I am also Dr actually but academic not medical, and I don't think it says that on my records, and I don't use it in daily life so it would be quite weird for her to call me Dr too!).

Consultants, yes, because they usually initiate it and it would seem weird to not do it, on this basis. Otherwise, no.

Yes she is lovely, always really smiley! I also like Dr Pelly, Dr Taylor, Dr Sian something, Dr Pearson from the current series, Dr Khan, Dr Ahmed, Dr Grey, and lots of others.

They film them for months, every day, and only use a small bit of the footage, so whilst at the beginning, I'm sure there is some self-consciousness about being filmed and trying to be extra nice, but after a while, it's just routine and they are probably actually like that in person. It must be very brave of them to commit to being filmed and know that other doctors will watch and potentially judge them or that any mistakes or slips of the tongue or irritations or whatever are captured forever. I wonder if they get to vet what actually ends up in the show. (Obviously only patients who have agreed to be filmed are included).

Please no. It does doctors and their patients no good at all to elevate them above other professionals They vary individually vastly in skills, professionalism and ability in the same way as any other group. Never be intimidated. It’s very dangerous and you could end up with sub par treatment, particularly in a hospital context where it’s increasingly important to advocate for yourself or relatives and ask questions.

That said, I like a handshake as it suggests a measure of professionalism and respect for the patient that is sometimes lacking. If a doctor ever gives me the impression of being slightly offhand I make a point of putting my hand out and being very business like. Nor will I tolerate being addressed by my first name when I’m expected to address them as doctor.

It is a fascinating show and some times the GP really knows the person well.

yes it's lovely watching some of the relationships between the doctors and patients, especially things like the 94 year old who pops in most days just to say hello. And the doctors really remember things about some of the patients and their situations or families. When they do the little interviews after about why the like being GPs, it's always that they like seeing the whole lives of patients over time, the variety of not knowing what is coming next, best job in the world etc. I'm not sure my doctor feels quite the same but it's nice to know that some GPs really do enjoy it!

God no.
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