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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

overweight doctors?

168 replies

trixie123 · 01/03/2011 21:10

AIBU to think the junior dr on BBC3's fly on the wall programme would be more effective, especially on his placement as an emergency dr if he could move around at speed without huffing and puffing and dripping sweat everywhere? And no I don't know if he has a condition which causes him to be overweight but as a general point, should they perhaps be "modelling" good health a little more?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 01/03/2011 21:47

Only time i did venepuncture with gloves i stuck my gloves/hands to the womans arm and had to be unstuck by the reg.

That dr is quite overweight. While i don't think medics have to be a good example, (do what i say not what i do). I do think that people need to be physically capable of doing their job. So running to emergencies and getting on floor.

Not saying he can't but i work with people who can't.

Sassybeast · 01/03/2011 21:49

And many health professionals don't smoke, don't drink to excess, eat a good diet and take regular exercise. In a team of 30 or so colleagues, not ONE of us smokes. Go figure....

Rannaldini · 01/03/2011 21:50

yy lets get the fatties

seriously

Original poster
trixie123 · 01/03/2011 21:50

I'm not asking for perfection. I am not sylph like myself but part of my professional life is not advising on healthy living -it is advising on how to write an intelligent and well constructed A level essay so I make sure what I write in my professional role is intelligent and well constructed. I could hardly expect my students to follow my advice if I spelled things wrongly or used poor punctuation. Just wondering if there is not a similar issue here?

OP posts:
hmmm54 · 01/03/2011 21:51

I would agree. Have just been ranting to my DH about a male gynaecologist I have seen (and am now avoiding) who has absolutely no idea how I feel about miscarriage and incontinence issues.

Experience is everything.

clinkers · 01/03/2011 21:51

I am overweight and a dietitian

Shoot me now

hmmm54 · 01/03/2011 21:52

With agent zigzag that is...

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 01/03/2011 21:52

Here he goes again.......

VivaLeBeaver · 01/03/2011 21:53

But merry as long as the gp gives the correct advice i think its fine. If someone has an obesity related illness but doesn't act on advice if the dr is fat then that's a bit silly.

Saying that one of my jobs is a smoking cessation advisor and my contract forbids me from smoking.

tulip27 · 01/03/2011 21:53

I work in the NHS I am a size 10 but eat chocolate and biscuits until they come out of my ears (good genes) to look at me you would think I was the picture of health but you can't judge a book by its cover !!!!!

SeeJaneKick · 01/03/2011 21:56

My hairdresser has a do like a dirty hastack. The Tailors son is worst clad and all that.

tulip27 · 01/03/2011 21:56

Oh and my collegue who is over weight has the best success at her healthy eating clinics as she can relate to patients and tell them how she is trying also and dicuss what things she finds hard, patients can relate to her.
The minute I mention weight and healthy eating, lowering blood pressure and exercise they give me a quick up and down, roll their eyes and switch off ( oh if only they knew!)

Oblomov · 01/03/2011 21:58

I have met many many health professionals over the years who are overweight, not just a bit, but alot.
I have been diabetic, since aged 1, and go to clinic every 3 months, so about 200 times.
I have always been of good weight, never needing to lose any. But have seen many dieticians, just standard, for no real reason. Loads of them are overweight. My one at the mo, is severly obese.
Dh saw one last year. He is overweight, but not the right kind of fat for a gastric band, apparently. told his diet was good. told to change from special k to porridge for breakfast, was her only piece of advice. By a dietiican who was herself morbidly obese.
You have to question their judgement when they themselves are so obese.

YellowDinosaur · 01/03/2011 22:02

tulip27 I am a size 10 as well and always feel like a bit of a twat when telling patients that they should lose weight. Like they are looking at me thinking 'what the f*ck do you know?'

clinkers · 01/03/2011 22:02

Wow, I havent met any other heavy dietitians. I dont feel so bad now lol

Merrylegs · 01/03/2011 22:04

Yes, Viva, that's why I was torn really.

To give you an idea, this GP was much much fatter than the doc in the BBC programme but she was utterly lovely.

As another thought, I am having physio atm for a prolapsed disc. Part of this is improving my posture. My physio has the most perfect posture, really poised, although she is not particularly slim. Yet because she walks the walk as well as talks the talk iyswim I take her seriously. If she was slouchy, would I dismiss her advice?

Don't know.

Interesting.

BuzzLiteBeer · 01/03/2011 22:09

Bollocks to experience is everything. Hmm Do you expect every oncologist to have cancer?
I'd rather my consultant didn't have the disease I do, since the crappy memory and inability to concentrate that goes with it would make him a fairly crappy one.

AgentZigzag · 01/03/2011 22:10

'My hairdresser has a do like a dirty hastack'

I've noticed that over the years as well Grin

I've never yet seen one that disproves my theory.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/03/2011 22:10

I've got a prolapsed disc and honestly - I'd take advice from anyone if it was going to help.

The thing is you could have blood pressure problems but that doesn't mean the overweight Dr advising you has blood problems - they could at that time be quite healthy. If down the line they develop problems that may be the kick up the backside to improving their weight.

EngelbertFustianMcSlinkydog · 01/03/2011 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hmmm54 · 01/03/2011 22:13

Buzz Lite Beer. No - but it helps. I have had junior gynaecologists examining me lying down to tell me I don't have a prolapse - only to find when I get home and stand up - i don't think I need to tell you more.

As for miscarriages - I've had people carelessly say - no I can't hear a heart beat - next please.

Experience gives you empathy.

BuzzLiteBeer · 01/03/2011 22:14

Not necessarily, and sometimes experience doesn't help at all. See my example.

ledkr · 01/03/2011 22:15

yellow dinasaur do you do mums net consultations,you see ive got this rash.....Grin

AtYourCervix · 01/03/2011 22:15

hmmmmm maybe i could blag a fast tracked free gastric band.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 01/03/2011 22:15

If you would not take the advice of a hcp seriously because they are overweight then that just makes you stupid. An overweight gp tells you that x and y are causing your high blood pressure and changing your diet will make a significant difference. You look them up and down and think naah, I don't believe you because you're fat then really, words fail me.