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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonderwhy the GP feels he hasto ask loads of personal intrusive lifestyle questions?

69 replies

AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 17:48

ANd then do nothing with the answers?

Why make me uncomfortable by weighing me and making me highlight my hazardous habits and then do nothing about it?

What's the point?

If I was offered advice about reducing my vast fatness or something I could understand but why just tap it into the computer and ignore it?

HUMPH.

OP posts:
Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 17:51

and lets face it. had he offered me diet advice i would probably have run away crying but it's NOT THE POINT

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 06/04/2011 17:52

It'll have something to do with "targets".

brightwell · 06/04/2011 17:55

Definately "meeting targets" key performance indicators etc.

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 17:55

well i hope i've fulfilled his 'Fat Target' for this week.

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BlingLoving · 06/04/2011 17:57

Well, it's part of your medical history etc. If you then present with certain symptoms down the line, and they have all those details, they can incorporate it into their diagnosis.
Plus he can monitor you, even if you're not actively doing anything.

Fernie3 · 06/04/2011 18:07

i got weighed at 39 weeks pregnant and told I was obese even though they refsed to take into account the fact I was 9 months pregnant. No idea why they do this pretty much any time I go near the place but sorry he made you feel bad :(

TattyDevine · 06/04/2011 18:10

Just remember, you can refuse to be weighed. You dont have to do what the doctor says - if he says "step on the scales please" you can say "why" or, hell, you can say "no", which is a complete sentence in its own right.

Granted, it is difficult and often we go along with these things in auto-drive.

But if you already know you are fat, are at the doctor for some kind of different reason that's really not specifically related to your current BMI and you'd rather not, you are well within your rights to politely decline. You might not avoid a lecture, but you may well feel a bit better and less "parented"...

Chil1234 · 06/04/2011 18:17

It's called 'understanding your patient' and I don't see why you find it intrusive. It's just another indicator like cholesterol levels or BP. If you go along next time and your weight has plummetted or shot up, that might help the diagnosis.

MrsVidic · 06/04/2011 18:20

It's because your weight really affects your health, did hd ask if you smoke

scaryteacher · 06/04/2011 18:21

I can see why it's intrusive, like going for a smear and getting 20 questions and a lecture about not using contraception. MYOB, he's had the bloody snip.

WillieWaggledagger · 06/04/2011 18:23

yes there is probably a flag syaing it needs adding/updating on your records and they will get 'points' towards a quota for the number kept up to date. I keep getting text messages saying they need to update my smoking history (I don't and have never smoked). You could refuse I guess but i don't see a problem with the questions as relevant to health

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 18:29

but if they are doing nothing with the data gathered what is the point?

i'm obviously a bit fat so why am i not offered diet/weight loss stuff.

i'd be bloody miffed if i was so V U i know.

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 06/04/2011 18:32

They are doing something with the data. It's being used to track your medical history together with the rest of the information they've got about you. Unless you're morbidly obese, they're not going to offer you actual treatment.

WillieWaggledagger · 06/04/2011 18:33

they do - it goes towards local and national statistics etc I think, and of course to nag you with sometimes Wink

moondog · 06/04/2011 18:33

'I'm obviously a bit fat so why am i not offered diet/weight loss stuff.'

Isn't that your area of responsibility?

I'm confused as to what you want.
You say you would cry if they offered you advice.
You are by your own admission overweight.
It's important for an HCP to know to what degree or would you rather s/he just guessed and maybe wrote something like 'on the lardy side'?

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 18:34

I'm a statistic. a mear quote in a quota.

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crystalglasses · 06/04/2011 18:34

It's because they get a separate payment for collecting each bit of data. I goes towards their yearly £150,000 salary

NorbertDentressangle · 06/04/2011 18:34

As a student many years ago I damaged my foot whilst blind drunk in the SU Bar on a loose paving stone or something. When I went to the GP and explained that I thought I'd broken a bone/ripped a tendon the first question he asked me was "Do you smoke?"

Now if he'd asked about drinking I could maybe see his point but smoking??

They probably have their key areas to ask patients about every week.

crystalglasses · 06/04/2011 18:35

As I said in my last post they receive a payment for each bit of data they collect.

lostlady · 06/04/2011 18:35

They get paid for it - confirmed by GP friend.

theonlywayisdevon · 06/04/2011 18:37

A gyne doc asked how much I drank, 10 units (a bottle of wine) a week was my reply

That's alot was her response!

..... I now drink more like 2 bottles a week, would love to hear her response to that

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 18:37

being weighed/measured you'd think it would be to make use of health promotion stuff, avoid me getting morbidly obeseand stop me having a stroke/heart attack.not just to tap it into the computer.

and had he hassled me about being a bit fat then i could have a whole new AIBU about being affronted by his assumption that fat = unhealthy.

OP posts:
moondog · 06/04/2011 18:39

'avoid me getting morbidly obese and stop me having a stroke/heart attack'

Why do you devolve responsibility like this.It's your job, not his.

Chil1234 · 06/04/2011 18:41

You seem pretty clued up that being obese might lead to you having a stroke or heart-attack. No need to wait for a doctor to tell you something you already know, is there?

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 06/04/2011 18:41

i've tried. it didn't work. i'm pathalogically chronically fat.

OP posts: