Would like some honest feedback from you all, as I had an upsetting experience at the doctor's this morning.
I've been seeing a female GP once a month over the past 4 months, seeking meds for depression, which I've been on before, and are helpful. She has wanted to see me on each occasion, including filling in questionnaires each session about how i feel.
She hardly gives any eye contact and taps away into her computer the whole time, talking to me looking at the computer screen. She asked me what I was here for today, what meds and dose I was taking as she 'didn't look at notes' (they were there on the screen in front of her!)
I duly filled in the questionnaire, and she said, 'haven't looked at your scores or results', but there seems to be an improvement in you!!!!!!!!!!!!
She printed off prescription, and I asked, ' i find this very dificult to ask, but I've been having a few symptoms with my left breast for over a year now. Could you perhaps do an examination? I've been getting bruising,pain, I feel a lump on the right hand side of the breast, and I'm sore under my arm'.
She said, 'No, I'm running late today. You're going to have to make an appointment for another time. It takes 10 minutes, and I've got other people to see'.
AIBU to feel really shocked here? It has taken me a lot of courage to ask her, my partner has felt my breast and has been on at me to speak with a doctor for months now. It takes a lot of bottle to get my jugs out for him, never mind a GP!!!!!!!!!!
I hardly ever go to the GP's, never with a list of this or that, and believe in helping yourself as much as poss. I was so shocked I burst into tears!!!!!
AIBU?
to be bewildered at GP's attitude to me?
oprahfan · 13/01/2011 14:00
I am really shocked, I would certainly change G.P's and make a fuss about this- you have been treated terribly 
YANBU with regards to eye contact etc. As you say, it's basic politeness to look at people when you are talking to them and she does sound less than empathetic.
I'm a bit torn about the exam. Broadly I agree with Connor. It's very common practice for GPs to have (and publicise) a one condition per visit policy. They have short appt slots and with something as serious as a breast exam the last thing you (or they) want is to feel rushed and for something to be overlooked.
I do think if you were visibly as upset as you say you were, she might have made an exception and let your appt overrun if necessary. Certainly I'd hope that she would have pushed harder to make sure you were going to come back promptly.
TBH the most important thing for you to focus on is to get that next appt made. Can you see another GP in the practice perhaps.
Good luck 
Hi Oprah!
So glad you have made the appt. Well done.
Hope your talk goes well this afternoon too. I agree that this Drs attitude wasn't good at all. Just wanted you to focus on your health etc first.
PS "one issue" has been publicised (by posters etc) at both of my recent practices. But it's very much at the discretion of the GP and common sense of patients as to how it's implemented. Eg if you go in and get a repeat prescription and also ask re something else then that's fine. Or equally if you are seen re something and then have a quick query on something else then that's fine too. But if eg you are examined ref one thing and then 9 minutes in say "oh and X..." then you would probably be asked to come back. As I say, in your case I do think she might have made an exception or at least explained herself better.
Sorry you had a bad experience with your gp, we do have posters in our waiting room saying one problem one appt too... I wouldn't have known about it either unless I'd been sitting in there for 45 mins last time I went because they were running over 
poor you oprahfan - YANBU //hug
I have found GPs to be desperately unkind sometimes when I have been a patient with depression - I have had to brace myself to see them and if my vital signs were being monitored in the waiting room they would be sky high. I have been in bits afterwards too. It is very rude indeed to not look at you during a consultation and unnecessarily brusque to tell you to make another appt about something so obviously important. I know they have an allotted time and you're only supposed to see them about one thing, but they can unbelievably up themselves sometimes .
NOT my favourite people, GPs - but that said, get a good one and they're GOLD.
I hope you have had some success with the practise manager today. don't take personally the shocking way this GP has treated you - she was well out of line imo.
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