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.

They aren't so busy in GP surgeries that they can't see people, or at least speak to them on the phone. The text should have been to tell you to ring to book an appointment because your results were in. It's ridiculous, they aren't all running around treating Covid patients and yet the service has dropped to unacceptable levels. I think you were treated terribly and should lodge a complaint. Don't give frightening news by text - that's just being common sense.

@Porridgeoat

This sort of text would be fine if your diagnosis was low iron levels

Total cross post!

OP hope you’re doing ok this evening.

GPs can’t win.
I recall a specific example of a patient who had an X-ray, which showed arthritis , so I send a letter asking her to make an appointment to discuss her X-ray. When she saw me a couple of weeks later, I told her she had arthritis, and she was angry. She said “why didn’t you tell me it was just arthritis , I’ve been worrying about all sorts of other things”.

Really interesting post by Moondust above.

OP - you will begin to learn what's going on for you and that no-one will have all the answers and Moondust's post will resonate more.

Surely you'd be referred to the hospital for your appointments for this?

I'm on the fence. I would want to know that diagnosis NOW not wait until gP got hold of me on the phone. I don't want a long winded GP summary, just give me facts. Plus OP knew she already had arthritis issues and was being investigated for the related conditions (why she had xrays). Maybe OP wasn't prepared for the kinds of things they might find.

I thought there were specific treatments to help someone with early onset osteoarthritis to slow progression. Wouldn't OP want to talk about these treatments?

I would just want to know too tbh, OP has history of osteoarthritis so they perhaps incorrectly assumed you know the treatment options are limited to weight loss, exercise and pain relief. I think perhaps they should discuss prior ‘I think it’s probably X or Y very unlikely to be Z, if the result is X or Y are you happy to be told by text and you can arrange and appointment if you want to discuss.’

@Ferrari458

They aren't so busy in GP surgeries that they can't see people, or at least speak to them on the phone. The text should have been to tell you to ring to book an appointment because your results were in. It's ridiculous, they aren't all running around treating Covid patients and yet the service has dropped to unacceptable levels. I think you were treated terribly and should lodge a complaint. Don't give frightening news by text - that's just being common sense.

But OP was asked to call the surgery if she wanted to discuss it. The option was there.

I dont say this lightly but you should complain. They should have called you to discuss the results. I work for the NHS and I understand the current situation and the pressures on us all but they should have made a phone call. Ive recently also had postnatal health issues and have slipped through the net. Ive had to reach out for what I should do and what treatment do I need etc, I think its so impersonal and a little cold to send you a text like that.

Well I would definitely be calling them to discuss. Discuss with them the appalling, unprofessional and unsympathetic manner in which they informed you of this diagnosis. Criticise their bedside manner, and urge them to take a course in people management skills. I would also urge you to contact the practice manager to air your concerns, and have a reassurance in writing ( not a text) that this will not happen to another patient at the practice. ( can you tell I'm appalled?)

Please complain
The shambolic service by GPs and their haste to slam shut the doors "because of covid" needs investigation at the highest level
Diagnosis by text is a new low

That's bad, some GPs are setting their bar really low and doing the bare minimum. It must be so frustrating for GPs who are actually working and not just texting.

Are people saying GP’s aren’t busy actually working in GP practices? They’re currently preparing to vaccinate half the population and the workload had already increased. I got a reply from an online consultation at 8pm, I doubt that was because they weren’t busy!
They should have checked with you first how you would like to be contacted and whether it was ok to text. Get in contact with the practice manager and complain. If you would have preferred an appointment then that should have been provided. Paracetamol is first line for osteoarthritis, if you haven’t tried a topical NSAID you might like to buy some ibuprofen gel (as long as you do t have any of the contraindications etc). You can buy it in the pound shop and pharmacies, supermarkets. They will also advise you lose weight if you’re overweight, especially if it’s your knees that are badly affected as any extra weight is likely to make them worse. If you take a look at this link it’s a good place to start cks.nice.org.uk/topics/osteoarthritis/

@lljkk

I'm on the fence. I would want to know that diagnosis NOW not wait until gP got hold of me on the phone. I don't want a long winded GP summary, just give me facts. Plus OP knew she already had arthritis issues and was being investigated for the related conditions (why she had xrays). Maybe OP wasn't prepared for the kinds of things they might find.

I thought there were specific treatments to help someone with early onset osteoarthritis to slow progression. Wouldn't OP want to talk about these treatments?

I think you might be thinking of rheumatoid arthritis

I don't think that's good either.

personally, i'd prefer to know the diagnosis in advance of a phone call or face to face appointment - it gives me time to absorb it, research and prepare the questions I want to ask.
I have access to my records online, so usually see results there rather than by text.
As long as you don't need to wait an unreasonable amount of time for the follow up conversation, it seems pretty reasonable to me.
As others have said, presumably you had some inkling about what was wrong, and why you were asked to go for an x-ray in the first place.

I wouldn’t mind receiving a diagnosis by text or email honestly. For whatever it is. But then again, I am a young adult and tech-literate. Most of my correspondence, everywhere, is digital so this is more convenient for me.

I hate the rush at 8am of phoning the receptionist to immediately see the line is busy, having to call 60 times to get through at 8:05 to find all appointments now taken etc. My GP doesn’t allow receptionists to give results over the phone unless the GP has authorised it so it is such a faff.

Severe osteoarthritis. Call if you want to discuss?
What if you don't know what this is and you don't call them because you don't like speaking on the phone?
This is shocking to me. I am sure you aren't the only patient who has had a similar message. There must be thousands of people who have received similar text messages who haven't called to discuss ...

@Wishitsnows

That's bad, some GPs are setting their bar really low and doing the bare minimum. It must be so frustrating for GPs who are actually working and not just texting.

This.

@Notanothernamechanged101

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.

Yes. Me too.

I think this is terrible. I can see the argument that getting it by text is quicker, but it’s the tone of the text that I don’t like.

“Call the surgery if you would like to discuss this....” - like it’s some sort of minor cold that you might be ok just dealing with on your own?!!

You deserve better frankly, and Covid is being used as an excuse to get away with a lot of bad behaviour at the moment imo. I would call, insist on an appointment and (politely) explain your distaste at the way the diagnosis was given. It won’t help you, but it may help stop them continuing to do it to others (I doubt it, but always worth a try!)

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Different maybe if it was something like cancer - I'm not saying osteoarthritis isn't an awful thing to have, but it's not life threatening, and they did ask you to phone if you wanted to discuss it.

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.

Whilst I know Rheumatoid Arthritis is different to osteoarthritis, I'm sure the level of pain is the same. If they've said Paracetamol, you may as well replace them with Smarties for what use they will do.

None of this is surprising me at the moment. I've been referred to hospital as I've got burst blood vessels in my eye, pain in the eye and headaches. Doctor I saw Sunday thinks my high blood pressure has caused it (143/100) and referred me to the eye casualty saying they need to see me urgently that day and due to covid, they would call me on Sunday to come in as I couldn't just walk in.

Appointment is Thursday, as the doctor in the eye unit, who hasn't seen me thinks it's nothing to be worried about.

Sorry you’ve had to experience this, my GP surgery also gives results (always been bad in my case) via text and then it’s been a nightmare to actually speak to someone about it afterwards. I think it’s outrageous personally, at the very least there should be a preferred communication recorded on the system, if some want the news by text that’s fine but otherwise it’s not appropriate.

Why would you break that sort of news to someone over text and then begrudgingly offer them the chance to discuss it? That's disgusting.

Not on the same level but DD has been 'diagnosed' asthmatic, yet the brown inhaler isn't making any difference.

I take daily risks in my job as a secondary school teacher and feel thoroughly pissed off that other essential professionals are so cocooned to the point of negligence.