Why are people avoiding the doctor?

[Howdidido]

Based on this article but also my GP keeps putting out messages saying call us if you need us
Are people avoiding the doctor because they're scared of catching CV or dont want to put strain on the system or are people really just not hurting themselves as much?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/23/accident-and-emergency-department-coronavirus-hospital-serious-conditions

I have a mole on my leg that I know needs looking at and removing but I'm not making an appointment so other 'more poorly' people get seen.

@Blobby10 I really think you should go ASAP with a mole (and I'm very strict about not wasting doctor's time). If the mole is malignent and it's removed quickly it's no problem if you wait until it's spread it becomes terminal almost all the time. (Not to panic you - most moles are fine but it is absolutely not worth taking a risk).

Exactly as above. I have been having dizzy spells but it’s probably just stress. I would usually get checked out just to rule anything dangerous out but it’s not urgent so I’ll wait.

blobby get that looked at today. Any doctor would tell you to make an urgent appointment.

Because there’s a widespread lack of critical thinking which the current situation has highlighted.
Which is not to say I’m blaming people as not everyone has been taught or understands how to.

My friend died from melanoma that wasn’t removed early enough. She wasn’t even thirty. Dodgy moles can’t wait.

Just to amend my previous post a bit, I mean arrange the appointment to have it looked at ASAP today.

Something like the mole or dizziness seems urgent to me so I'd at least call and do a telephone consult, but we've had a query over if 4yos left testicle is down or up and it doesn't feel urgent enough. I suppose I'm worried the Dr's will be like "is it ESSENTIAL this gets seen to now?" Would catching the bus there with my 4 yo be ESSENTIAL travel and worth the risk?

Both good examples of things you should call the GP about. If they dont want to see you surely they'll say so?
I've had non routine vaccinations postponed and my smear. Those are non urgent and I'm following guidance but I called the GP about my DDs stomach pain and the HV about concerns about babies development. Both seem non urgent but how long do you leave things for? I'd rather the GP decide what is non urgent...

Yes a mole absolutely needs to be checked out straight away. Survival rates for melonoma basically fall off a cliff if you leave it too late to have it removed. That's one that absolutely can't wait.

In general I think people should just have a phone consultation as you would normally and let the doctor decide whether your issues needs further investigation.

I’m not. I need an appointment and can’t get one as it got cancelled and they said get in contact when it’s over. Need a smear test

I only knew my doctor was open because of this site! I had assumed it was closed. When I did have to ring they are not ‘seeing’ anyone. They are doing telephone consultations but when my partner had a health issue that required someone to physically see the ailment they weren’t able to do that. Same for my friend who has a dermatological issue. They can talk about it on the phone but can’t see her.

Our doctor is doing a telephone 'triage'. If it sounds like you need to be seen, then the surgery is open - doctor wears disposable apron and mask and patient is given a mask to wear too.

So, yes, they are still seeing patients. Obviously not those with an ingrowing toenail, but anyone more urgent, then yes, you will be seen.

Lots of reasons people are avoiding doctors right now - as in this thread people assuming the doctors aren’t seeing patients/not wanting to bother them with something that seems minor is a big reason. But there’s also the fear they’ll catch coronavirus from clinical staff or other patients, people putting symptoms down to coronavirus and self isolating with their fever and breathlessness which is actually sepsis, there’s probably not so much contagious stuff around in general cause of social distancing, no playgrounds/gyms etc for people to injure themselves in....

We are seeing kids presenting late and coming to harm with serious illnesses as parents are seeking help too late (and, til their algorithms had changed, 111 telling everyone to stay at home!)
www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/covid19_advice_for_parents_when_child_unwell_or_injured_poster.pdf

I need to see the GP about my eczema. But I don’t want to catch CV. They undoubtedly have contact with quite a few people so have a higher chance of having CV and passing it on to me. It’s not urgent enough to take the risk.

I find it a bit sad that while other keyworkers are out there driving buses/serving customers/looking after children of NHS staff etc, the GP's are hidden away at home doing phone appointments. Some have even refused to visit care homes because of the health risks. Isn't that what they are trained and paid for? Pretty shameful really.

In fact, the question I'm asking myself is not 'Why are people avoiding the doctors?', but 'Why are doctors avoiding the people?'.

I haven’t needed to luckily but the text message my GP has sent out is really off putting. It’s like “yes, we are here but we really, really don’t want you to come in!”

GPs are unlikely to be doing this from home. They will be triaging over the phone then offering face to face appointments if needed, arranging hospital referrals, writing prescriptions for people to collect etc so they will likely be at work, just seeing fewer people. They will also be working in the covid hubs so seeing all the possible/suspected covid patients in the area, many of these patients may not be suitable fir escalating to hospital care so will need to be managed at home with visits from the gp and other members of the community team

My DH is a GP. At their surgery they are doing telephone triage first and then seeing people who can’t be advised solely by phone. They are still doing home visits to care homes etc. He is seeing far fewer people physically than he normally would be, but the surgery is absolutely ‘open for business’, so please don’t assume your GP can’t or won’t see you!

They don’t want you to come in unless needed as they don’t want to put their patients at unnecessary risk.

I'm avoiding G.P as I worry about the number of people they've come into contact with.

@FrameByFrame yes, totally agree. The vulnerable in residential care homes etc are unlikely to be getting the high standard of health intervention if a GP isn't willing to attend and then the hospitals are discharging covid patients to residential care homes in a bid to rid them from the hospitals.
Care homes are on lock down so no relatives and the carers are short staffed.

I have had a routine blood test at my gp
surgery and two phone conversations re some cardiac tests. All carried out willingly with no obstruction from either receptionists or medical staff. The physical building was almost empty when I went in but the staff are very much at work.

@framebyframe I think they are more worried about spreading coronavirus into a nursing home. A GP bringing in coronavirus would be absolutely devastating.

My GP is doing phone appointments then offering face to face with precautions if needed. I've had a phone consultation for me and for DD. She sent the prescription to the pharmacy, who delivered. I was happy because I'm high risk so didn't want to go in.

She said they are very quiet, and they think it is because people don't want to bother them.