to think if I go to the Doctors about a health complaint, that should be the main topic of conversation...

[BattyKoda]

...not giving up smoking?

I've just been to the docs about a couple of things I'm concerned about. He didn't listen to my worries, merely referred me to a different department and was uninterested in my questions (cue me returning home to google and being told I have cancer, as per usual google is a bad thing when it comes to health complaints). The only thing he seemed interested in talking to me about is 'giving up smoking'.

He asked if I smoke, I replied yes, but only a couple a week, I know stupid and I will stop , but DP smokes everyday and occasionaly I join him. He then embarks on a massive lecture about giving up together, going along to classes and passing me all sorts of leaflets. Fantastic, thanks. Why could you not be this helpful with what I actually came in to see you about?

AIBU to think that GP's are perhaps concentrating more on figues and statistics (as in, a certain amount of people attending these classes) than they are about genuine patient concerns? I fully appreciate smoking is awful, and costs the NHS a fortune, but I would have appriciated some more guidence with my problem than a full on lecture about smoking.

I agree as long as your problem isn't chest related or ENT related.

It depends on whether he thought the complaint was smoking related - in which case he was right.

If you went with an ingrowing toenail, then I would suggest he was probably doing his health promotion bit, and would then claim the appropriate fee.

YANBU, that's annoying. Funnily enough my doctor does this about my asthma, which hasn't bothered me for years. They're always asking me about it and trying to get me into a regular asthma clinic, when I go in for something completely unrelated. Odd.

Definitely not smoking related, I would have understood if it was!

I just couldn't believe how his attitude changed. When I was talking to him he might as well have been sat looking out the window yawning, but as soon as he started talking about the 'stop smoking classes' he spun his chair round, big smile on his face I wonder if he also has a job with Anglian windows...

In that case his pep talk will probably be registered as a health promotion clinic and he'll claim the appropriate fee - or something along those lines.

you just still give up that stinking, foul habit though! Think of the cat's bum lips you'll have in future years, if nothing else

Well my Dr tries to convert me to being a borm again Christian so it could be worse..

*born

should still

Ledodgy there's rules against that isn't there...?

MaisietheMorningsideCat - Thats annoying and I know, I will, I go through stages of it, should swap it for yoga really

Definitely - then when he asks you if you've given up smoking, you can reply "yes, I have actually, so to you". Or something equally adult

I'm afraid it's very cynical and about targets and money. Many GP practices are set up so that they get performance related bonuses. And they get points towards these each time they give advice on certain problems, even if that's not what you came in for. Things included are:

• quitting smoking
• asthma
• obesity / weight
• high blood pressure

and various others. It's called the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Rene - is it the same for dentists?

I'm a private patient but he has an NHS practice too.

I go religiously every six months and clean and use interdental brushes every day.

There's never anything to be done to my teeth or gums but he lectures me about mouth cancer every time even though he knows I've never smoked and don't drink excessively.

Yesterday he was ghoulishly excited to have found a swollen salivary gland during his quite painful proddings.

He seemed disappointed when I told him I had a cold and said that was probably the reason but to come back in six weeks just in case.

He did compliment me on my muscle tone. Luckily he didn't ask what I'd been doing to build it up

I had a smear just after Xmas and wanted to ask about several TTC-related issues and all my GP wanted to talk about was bloody Avatar! She was quite disgruntled when I insisted on changing the subject

I hope I'll be able to watch 3D films in the future without suffering flashbacks of someone fiddling with my fanjo

It's so frustrating when you need to discuss something serious and they've got their own agenda, be that target-related or just them being bored and distracted.

not sure what the situation is with dentists tallulah. Glad you have well toned mouth muscles though

But giving up smoking is probably the best thing you can do for your health in the long term and probably the short term.
He was trying to support you in this.
He was doing his job and seeing you as a whole person, the smoking bit as well as what ever health problem you brought in.
To claim the 'smoking cessation advice given', he could have just said
'You know you should stop smoking don't you' and left it at that.
YABU, he is a health care professional, he knows what affects your health, and smoking does effect your health

DarrellRivers - I understand that, but would have been grateful if he could've shown the same enthusiasm for my problem, to brush that aside and concentrate on 'ticking boxes' seems like he is more concerned with his bonuses rather than my health.

this is bullshit, YANBU

Of ciurse a few fags a week is not great, but suspect its all about targets and he is a crap GP

I am very pro smoking today, think of the taxes we pay!!!! and we help with the aging crisis too

sorry

There's a GP like that where I use to live. She's a nightmare, I don't smoke and never have, but she'd still spend the whole appointment telling me how smoking is bad for me.

I'm surprised they didn't try to shove a Mirena coil up you, too.

I have a nurse who keeps trying that.

Even though I've already told her a) I had one and it was such a horrid nightmare I had it removed b) my husband's been sterilised.

When I last went to the GP I saw a memo on the GP's desk that said that all under 24's should be offered a test for cladmydia (sp?) every time they go for a consultation. That would have really annoyed me when I was that age.

Anything I ever went to the doctors for it was because I was fat.

Everything from chest infections to sinusn infections - I'll almost let them off with the sore knee things because I could see the logic in that (although my sore knee was caused by scar tissue).

I had an operation on my arm 2 years ago - it was fabulously refreshing to have something wrong with me that no-one ever blamed on my weight.

Bathsheba - my GPs are the reverse - they tried to pussyfoot around the issue of me being 5 stone overweight might just have something to do with my borderline high bp .

Batty - I have no idea if you are BU or not - as don't know whether there might be other risk factors that would mean giving up smoking would be particularly sensible for you.

expatinscotland - Hilarious, your husband has been sterilised and she still asks.

TotalChaos - My health issue is completely un-related to smoking, I'm 100% sure. In fact I'd be suprised if the Doc could remember what I was asking after his lecture.