Doctors question?

[ThisLittleKitty]

Took dd to the drs this morning and the doctor asked who I live with at home. Was abit surprised by the question as not been asked that before by the dr. Is this a normal question am I overthinking it?

Hard to say without the context.

Just to add found it abit intrusive or aibu?

Well why did you take her? Was this a post birth check up? Or is she unwell? The doctor may have just wanted to make sure that you had help and support.

Dd had an ear infection. There was no build up to it so no context to giv she just said it whilst sorting the prescription.

Right from the beginning of med school doctors are trained to take histories in a very standardised way including a social history which involves who you live with etc. In paediatric training the social history is even more important - because the doctor is supposed to be thinking about inherited disease and amount of support the child has at home as well as medical stuff.

The doctor was probably looking to ascertain how much support you had at home. I wouldn't find it intrusive - GPs have much better things to do with their time than nosey into patient's private business - I imagine that if they asked the question it was because the answer would potentially impact on the care they recommended to you. I personally wouldn't have found it at all intrusive - sounds like you have a thorough GP.

Oh right it's the first time I've been asked and my oldest is 7 (in 2 weeks) se also asked how many kids I have in total. Was just abit surprised.

It's to assess for other stuff like do you have enough support, is there domestic abuse in the home, do you have adequate housing (given that some health issues in kids are exacerbated by poor accommodation), are you at risk from depression, and so forth. It's not nosiness. It's a holistic approach.

I get asked it ALL the time at my various medical appointments. Don’t worry about it.

Yeah, he was taking the social history. :) Sometimes they'll ask about what kind of house and your family relations too. It depends a bit on how thorough the aul' doc wants to be.

You don't have to answer anything you don't want, but it helps if a doctor can have the larger picture when you visit.

Really? How would she asses any of that by asking that question? She would have to ask a lot more indept questions to know any of that.

Glad to hear it's normal anyway.

How would she asses any of that by asking that question?

Not by that one question, no. Drs. don't go down a list of all the questions in one go, it's not an interrogation. They'll ask one or two here or there and build up a social history that way.

It’s a fairly standard social history question, I wouldn’t worry!

Oh ok it's the first time I've seen this dr it was a duty dr at the walk in clinic.

Ear problems are more common in children if there is a smoker in the house. Your GP might have asked about smoke exposure if you’d said there were other adults at home.
Possibly also just seeing if you have some help and back up at home for dealing with ill kids.

The gp said it was connected to dd having a cold/flu. Didn't mention smoking, which I don't anyway.

Don't worry. I took DD1 to A&E yesterday and got asked everything about who lived at home, dates of births, names of any professionals involved in care, what school she attendeds, why (special school), GP name and address, etc., etc. It's just standard and good for all children that people who have no need for support or concern are asked these questions, so that people who need support or raise concern get given it.