Aibu to not want to discuss my private health with doctor receptionists

[Jasmine00]

I'm so sick of calling my doc surgery and having to explain to the receptionist my ailments especially as they are mostly endometriosis related. Sometimes they even try and give advice back. Arggggg I hate it.
Doesn't help that I live in a small village and these are the people I see on a daily basis either

I completely understand where you're coming from but it's the way of all surgeries now so we have to suck it up. What else can we do? 🤷

Receptionists are a core part of GP team, they are subject to same confidentiality rules as the GP. If you want to see the right person then they need to know what you want seen for.

There are posts like this every few weeks. They don't ask for their own amusement and you should put in a written complaint to the practice manager if receptionists are giving out unsolicited health advice when they are not qualified to do so. That is unreasonable! The information is needed to help triage your call. If you would rather not say state that and ask them to put on on your records so you avoid this every time you need an appointment. Receptionists don't make up the rules, they are told to triage calls. They are also bound by confidentiality and will rightly be sacked if they were gossiping about your health.

That is how it works. I cannot really see the issue, assuming I have a private place to make the phone call.

Phrases to use. “it’s an ongoing condition, the doctor knows about it” or “ it’s gynae related”
Otherwise I say the area of the body it is, it’s a stomach, /leg /head / toe problem.
Can’t see why a receptionist would think they could give medical advice though , other than stem the bleeding if someone is haemorrhaging.

They can see your records anyway presumably? Like PP said, they're not asking to be nosy.

I hate this too.

YABU

They’re doing it to ensure patients are prioritised accordingly, not to be nosy. They’re bound by the same confidentiality as anyone else who has access to your medical records.

Recently I've been making my issue sound as complicated as possible (it is complicated but when I throw the big words in it sounds even more complicated). This has stopped unwanted advice from the receptionists. I know they have good intentions bless them but the advice they give doesn't apply to my condition. Maybe try doing that so they get a doctor to call you back asap or however it works in your surgery?

In my surgery there's also something on the reception desk that says you don't need to say your issue if you really really don't want too so that takes the pressure off people if they don't want to discuss it with someone random

@bratzybaby

Recently I've been making my issue sound as complicated as possible (it is complicated but when I throw the big words in it sounds even more complicated). This has stopped unwanted advice from the receptionists. I know they have good intentions bless them but the advice they give doesn't apply to my condition. Maybe try doing that so they get a doctor to call you back asap or however it works in your surgery?

In my surgery there's also something on the reception desk that says you don't need to say your issue if you really really don't want too so that takes the pressure off people if they don't want to discuss it with someone random

Could your first paragraph sound any more patronising?

@MadeOfStarStuff

YABU

They’re doing it to ensure patients are prioritised accordingly, not to be nosy. They’re bound by the same confidentiality as anyone else who has access to your medical records.

This.

They're not doing it to be gatekeeper to prevent people seeing GPs. They're making sure you see the right person. Rather than seeing an non-specialist GP and wasting your time, they may be able to refer you on straight away to a gynaecologist.

I also don't understand how gynaecological problems are anymore embarrassing than anything else. With attitudes like this, problems with women's health care will never improve.

It’s to help manage urgency. If someone calls with a breast lump or a spreading infection they will be called immediately as the gp may want to schedule a face to face appointment. It might also be an ailment the nurse could deal with. They speak to dozens of people a day so are unlikely to remember your call.

I think as the first port of call, they should ask, so they can deal with you accordingly.

Isn't it just the same as calling an office and the Secretary asking what the call is in regards to, so they can assist you or pass you on to someone else who can.

I doubt they actually care if you are suffering with piles, the galloping shits, or fanny related issues, but they need to make an informed decision as to how to direct your call.

I think they get a really hard time.

Just make it sound as gory, dangerous and as worrying as you can. Then you get an appointment.

I see people complaining about this all the time on MN and I don't really get it. Clearly they are trying to triage, if you don't want to tell them what's wrong that's up to you, but then you may end up waiting forever for an appointment.

But I'm from the US originally and this is totally normal there.

It's harder because these receptionists I see at school, local shops and local places. Do I really want these people to have to know about my gynae issues, not really!
In a city you are more anonymous so I don't think this would be such an issue

Ah, you have to brave it out! I mean the GP could easily be someone you know locally too.

I was told by a receptionist, when I presented at the surgery worried about my inability to take a deep breath, that I probably have indigestion, and needed Gaviscon, not a doctor’s appointment.

When I pushed it and saw the GP five minutes later, I was diagnosed with a probable pulmonary embolism and told I didn’t have time to wait for an ambulance, and to get driven to the hospital immediately.

It was a dreadful time, the diagnosis was confirmed in hospital and I was very ill despite the quick diagnosis and treatment. I dread to think what would have happened if I had listened to the the receptionist!

So, although this experience is not representative of the many good receptionists, it could have killed me. Always trust your instincts.

They don't do it to prioritise. I have made appointments in the past and its after appointment is made that they have asked the issue. They simply just put it on the notes for gp to see. You don't have to give a reason just say its private if you really don't want to tell them.

They're specifically trained as a medical secretary, I'm sure they sign a confidentiality contract.

@Auntieobem how is that patronising? GP receptionists are not doctors, this isn't a secret. In my surgery, when you say your issue they'll try to give advice they think is suitable. When I'd say I'm suffering from the effects of my spinal headache, they'd often say 'have you tried paracetamol/ibuprofen' just because they've heard the word 'headache.' Yet a spinal headache is caused by low pressure in the brain, paracetamol/ibuprofen does nothing to help that.

They're clearly trying to help which is appreciated but they don't understand the condition because they're simply not doctors. That's not patronising at all

They are part of the team
And need info!
Get over yourself op.they don't care about your vagina. Only about how long they think you need with the doc and when they can have a time sloth for you (prioritize etc)

@Emerald5hamrock Receptionists and secretaries at GP surgeries have different jobs. They are not the same. But yes, of course they are bound by confidentiality.

*:28SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs

I was told by a receptionist, when I presented at the surgery worried about my inability to take a deep breath, that I probably have indigestion, and needed Gaviscon, not a doctor’s appointment.

When I pushed it and saw the GP five minutes later, I was diagnosed with a probable pulmonary embolism and told I didn’t have time to wait for an ambulance, and to get driven to the hospital immediately.

It was a dreadful time, the diagnosis was confirmed in hospital and I was very ill despite the quick diagnosis and treatment. I dread to think what would have happened if I had listened to the the receptionist!

So, although this experience is not representative of the many good receptionists, it could have killed me. Always trust your instincts.*

Can you just say it’s an ongoing gynae issue? I hate it when they try to offer advice and always want to say are you trained to offer this advice?