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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that it is DANGEROUS for my doctor's receptionist to give (unwanted) medical advice?!

32 replies

SylviaBells · 09/12/2011 08:22

I have just rung my doctor's for an appointment for a persistent cough (4 weeks now, the stage at which you are generally supposed to get a cough checked) - she has asked what the appointment was for, I have told her and she has said 'well if you're not coughing anything up then it is not a chest infection and they can't do anything about it' - as a student I had a persistent cough (no mucus) and I had bronchitis! It may well be they can do nothing but a persistent cough can be the first symptom for some serious conditions (eg heart condition) which I am sure I DON'T have but she is a) not going to know that b) might put off someone who does need help.

A few weeks ago my son had an operation. I rang to get and appointment for the GP to check his stitches etc and see if he would be able to go back to school - the receptionist told me he would be fine (she hadn't seen him!)

AIBU to think that with very little information and NO MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS she should not be telling me whether I am ill or not?!!

OP posts:
Witchofthenorth · 09/12/2011 08:26

Why does she have to know what the appointment is for! I never tell the receptionist nor does she ask. I just ask for either a dr or nurse appt.

Yanbu!

Original poster
SylviaBells · 09/12/2011 08:28

Yes I am going to stop telling her, don't know why i cave really. I will mention what she has said to the doctor if the cough is anything treatable Grin

OP posts:
SnapesMistressofMerriment · 09/12/2011 08:28

YANBU, tell the doctor what she has been saying.

Rosa · 09/12/2011 08:30

Talk to the practice manager or put it in writing...They should not be giving out advice or IMO really asking why you want to see a doctor- Ok in some cases they could advise if you needed to see a nurse not a doc but a) its confidential and b) as you say they are not qualified. Imagine the consequences if they got it wrong. Also I would be having a check up if I had been coughing for 4 weeks for peace of mind.......

antsypants · 09/12/2011 08:30

Yanbu, however, I'd be wondering about someone who took a layman's advice about health problems.

Complain to doctor though, she's overstepping the Mark.

MrsMuddyPuddles · 09/12/2011 08:31

Mention the stitches thing, too. Or if she's a cow in other ways email the trust under the subject "practicing medicine without a license "

cory · 09/12/2011 08:32

Receptionists should be allowed to find out details in order to organise your appointment, but they should emphatically not dole out medical advice or tell you not to see a doctor.

FanjoForTheReindeerJumper · 09/12/2011 08:45

Yes, this particular receptionist was incorrect and it's worth a complaint.

But this thread will turn into one just slagging off receptionists like they are a lower life form I'm sure.

PicaK · 09/12/2011 08:53

Definitely complain - nicely though. Lung cancer charities just done major campaign to get people to go to Drs with odd coughs fgs so she is overstepping the mark.

sleepatlast · 09/12/2011 09:04

Please tell practice manager in writing. I would want to know if my receptionist was trying to give medical advice to my patients so we could speak to them all & remind it's wrong.I wouldn't diagnose 4wk cough over the phone & I've been qualified for yrs.receptionists do get a lot of flavor and they have a tough job but in this case she was wrong and potentially dangerous so please report so she can be educated as to why she shouldn't do it.

sleepatlast · 09/12/2011 09:05

Flack not flavour!

whenPaschagotstuckupthechimney · 09/12/2011 09:11

The receptionist has (IME) been told by the GPs to ask for the nature of the problem if the patient is willing to divulge, so they have an idea what is coming up for each patient. This rarely works in practice - the GPs (also IME) barely register the name of the next patient on the appointments screen, let alone any extra information entered at the time, unless its shouted in capitals.

The receptionist absolutely should never attempt any form of medical advice. Only sympathy if appropriate and pass info onto the medic.

Receptionists tread a very fine line between the GP/nurse and the patient, and can often not do right whatever they do. Its a shitty job at times.

WorraLiberty · 09/12/2011 09:15

When you book an appointment at my Docs the receptionist has to say "Is it for a cough, cold or other minor ailment"

I just say "no".

FanjoForTheReindeerJumper · 09/12/2011 09:29

well then, if it is for a cough, and you have said it wasn't, the GP will (rightfully IMO) be hacked off

moominliz · 09/12/2011 09:33

YANBU. I've never been asked by the receptionist why I wanted an appt. and wouldn't really see it as any of their business.
Rather than tell the GP, I'd contact the Practice Manager as they are probably better suited to dealing with this than the GP.
Hope you get better soon!

cory · 09/12/2011 09:34

there are plenty of receptionists who get this right: the ones at my surgery invariably manage to garner enough information to organise an efficient appointment system without setting themselves up as consultants or hacking the patient off

your receptionist is getting it wrong

the practice manager needs to know

DeWe · 09/12/2011 09:37

I tell my receptionists if it's urgent/non urgent. If I think it's urgent and there aren't any appointments available, I usually give a brief summery so they can see that I do need to come in and find me a space. They've never asked me.

I also tell them if I'm coming in with a child with vomiting/infectious disease so they can quarentine us upon arrival.

They've never asked for this information, or attempted to diagnose/medicate.

TattyDevine · 09/12/2011 09:44

I had an unproductive cough that turned out to be pneumonia. 6 courses of antibiotics to shift it. I never actually did any productive coughing. Apparently your body reabsorbs the gunk if it doesn't come up! The receptionist is wrong.

Anyway, even if your cough isn't caused by a chest infection, it should be investigated. My mother coughed for years. Turned out to be GERD (gastro esophegal (sp?!) reflux disorder). She needed to take anti acid stuff. If you don't treat persistent reflux, it can damage your tissues and cause bloody cancer eventually!

I'm sure yours is nothing like that but just 2 reasons why a persistent cough should be seen by a GP.

eurochick · 09/12/2011 09:48

I think it should be reported too. This sort of incorrect advice could be dangerous.

My dr's receptionist always asks what I want to see the dr for but as I am usually calling from my office I just say I am not willing to discuss it as I am in a place where I can be overheard and that is the end of it.

choccyp1g · 09/12/2011 09:49

And after the receptionist has interrogated you, has anyone ever been in to the doctor, who looks at the notes, and says "I see you have had this cough for six weeks, and have tried treating it with a,b, and c and it is now getting worse"
Because my doctor cheerfully says "how are you", and looks askance if you do anything other than burst into tears.

iwantbrie · 09/12/2011 09:50

As a former GP's receptionist I can safely say that she totally overstepped the mark on this one. It's one thing to ask what an appointment's for as they are usually instructed to ask (we were) but giving advice like that is going way too far. Insist on an appointment with a doctor & either mention it to the GP or complain to the practice manager.

acumenin · 09/12/2011 09:57

My mum had a persistent cough, no mucus, and no other symptoms at all, and didn't get it checked. By the time she did see the doctor, it was advanced inoperable lung cancer.

YANBU

QuickLookBusy · 09/12/2011 10:03

I would complain too. She is not allowed to give any advice. SHe does not need to know what your appointment is for.

You do need to get a 4 week cough checked.

I have never been asked by a Drs receptionist, but have to get past the bulldog receptionist at DDs school who is a nosey gossiping madam. She always seems to need to know exactly what illness my DD has or why I need to speak to a teacher.

I always want to say "it is none of your business" but manage the more polite "It is confidential"

samandi · 09/12/2011 10:08

Yes, and YANBU. As others have said, inform the Practice Manager.

Miette · 09/12/2011 10:13

When my daughter had swine flu we were told that a viral cough can last about 5 weeks, but certainly if there are other symptoms or it goes on longer than 5 weeks it would be wise to get it checked.