GP diagnosis by text

[BeingAMumIsHardWorm]

I received the following diagnosis by text message with a footnote saying call if you want to discuss.

AIBU to be annoyed to have got this by text.

"Dear Mrs so and so

Your X-ray results have come back and show that you have severe osteoarthritis. Call the surgery if you want to discuss this "

I am relatively young to have severe osteoarthritis and am feeling quite upset by this diagnosis but am annoyed that they sent me the diagnosis in such a flippant way.

I think they can't do right for doing wrong. If they text you to make an appointment for 2 weeks time you would be frantic with worry. That said, and I am really sorry you have this diagnosis I know how awful it can be, but it can't have come as any sort of a surprise. It's the kind of thing you would have known they were looking for when they did the X-ray, so confirming by text seems quite reasonable. They do it for all sorts here.

As above. Personally I prefer this approach. No worry about what the appointment is for etc. I have had a diagnosis by text fairly recently as well so I'm not talking hypothetically.

Well i'm shocked! Text appointment reminders sure, but diagnoses? Come on! There's way more than delivering a diagnosis required here. Explanation of what that is, discussion of prognosis, treatment options etc. No text does not do in this case.

That must have been a shock.
FWIW, I too have arthritis and started to feel the effects from quite a young age (mid-thirties).
I didn't get diagnosed for a long time, and know that's stopped me from preventing further damage to my joints in the meantime.
I know that osteoarthritis is shit (given that that's what you have). Don't get me wrong.
But, at least you know now - and you can ask to see a rheumatologist and a physiotherapist for advice on what to do to protect your joints as much as you can.

People deserve much better from the National Covid Service.
That’s not a caring and kind way to treat people. There’s so much more to caring for people than a diagnosis by text.
What else can they diagnose by text? Cancer?!
I would complain.

I think it's a shit way to let people know what is going on.

Obvioulsy people will bet upset and worried because they have no way to ask questions (yes its always easier when it's others or something you don't see as 'serious'. This doesn't mean it will be the case for everyone). And obvioulsy there is notexplanation of what this means either.

But it's also likely that people will just strating googling to understand what it means. Cues for even more panic or the opposite (its not serious so I actually don't need to bother the GP about it).

That's not appropriate care imo. The worst thing is that it seems that poeple in the UK are forgetting what appropriate care means too.... One where you can actually see people and have some human contact as well as support from your HCP (Inherent to any healthcare provision btw)

What else can they diagnose by text? Cancer?!

Realistically? No. But there is a difference and OP would have been going for X-rays with the osteoarthritis in mind. I don't think there is much wrong with confining a diagnosis that was a 'possibility' - the text is clumsily worded because of course OP will want to make an appointment to discuss but it's probably a standard text that covers all bases.

I guess it depends where the severe osteoarthritis is ? Are we talking a finger or toe , or a knee or a hip ? Whats the history ? have you been a keen rugby player for the last 20 years, are you morbidly obese, have you ever suffered from anorexia ?
What I am trying to say is , is this a completely out of the blue diagnosis or did you have the scan to confirm what they thought was probably the case ? You had a scan for a reason, pain or lack of movement, so did no-one mention the possibility of reasons for the pain or lack of movement before this ?
That doesn't stop it from being a really inpersonal way of finding out the news though, hope you get the treatment to make things easier for you

Wow, OP, I'm not surprised that you're shocked.

That is a really, really bad approach to communicating with you.

The text should have said "we have received your results, please contact the surgery". Simple.

So sorry OP.

Bet it was a locum GP. It's actually a pet peeve of mine and I'd be disappointed if one of my team texted this.

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.
I knew I had arthritis in one of my knees but have been told that I have severe arthritis in both my knees and degenerative arthritis in my hands and other joints in my body.
Only found out the latter as I did ring to discuss. Makes me wonder if they wouldn't have bothered if I didn't ring.
I also had to extract the information from the GP. She sounded surprised I was ringing.
Wasn't offered any advice other than to take paracetamol and refer myself to physio. But again was offered this advice when I asked what I can do to help.

You'd expect a call from the GP to discuss that with you.

I think you should complain too.

I would rather have had a text than wait a week to speak to the receptionist to confirmed my X-ray results were back, who then booked me an appointment for a couple of weeks time, just for the Dr to confirm my osteoarthritis which I assumed it was anyway. Age 42, absolutely no need for me to wait 3 weeks & waste an appointment when I could have had a text.

OP, is it related just to the specific area that you had x-rayed perhaps?
(Maybe in context, looking on the bright side, for example it might be say just one knee joint - rather than generalised everywhere)

(I’m sporting a metal knee for the same issue - but everything else is ok)

I don't think you're being unreasonable, I would have hoped the GP would call to discuss

I had X-ray in multiple joints.

@BeingAMumIsHardWorm

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I knew I had arthritis in one of my knees but have been told that I have severe arthritis in both my knees and degenerative arthritis in my hands and other joints in my body. Only found out the latter as I did ring to discuss. Makes me wonder if they wouldn't have bothered if I didn't ring. I also had to extract the information from the GP. She sounded surprised I was ringing. Wasn't offered any advice other than to take paracetamol and refer myself to physio. But again was offered this advice when I asked what I can do to help.

If paracetamol and a bit of physio will solve it, then it isn't all that severe! And I speak as someone with severe arthritis (one hip, one ankle replaced) in the hips, spine and shoulders.

I think you need to speak to them again - if it severe there are many better medication regimes than paracetamol, which actually does nothing other than ease the pain. There are other therapies available too. If the GP hasn't the expertise to advise then they should refer you to a specialist - which, if it really is that severe, they should have already done!

@Moondust001 the wording on the text definitely said severe and that is all the treatment she offered. Some of my joints are very very painful.
What alternatives are there? I am definitely going to ring back tomorrow and speak to someone else.

Sorry OP , so you knew you already had osteoarthrits in your knee, but now they have confirmed you have it in other joints in your body ? Did they call it osteoarthritis when talking about these other areas ? I only ask because knees take a lot of load and most people will experience some wear and tear issues in these areas, but you mention other joints, are you talking shoulders/elbows that sort of thing ? or load bearing areas like hips and ankles ?

Hands and shoulders

Are you in NW London OP?

This was really not okay and I'm sorry to hear it. Even an expected diagnosis is often a shock and very upsetting. It is a horrible thing to hear. Having someone with you who can talk with you and take in your shock can make a small but important difference. Doctor/patient relationship is part of healthcare because we are not just bodies.
I also think you should write to the practice manager about this- if you feel you can bear to.

@iambear. No not London. Why do you ask ?

YANBU OP. Who wouldn’t have questions after getting a text like that?!