Discussion with Doctor's receptionists

[Fluffyone]

I object to having the receptionist ask, every time I book an appointment, "Can I ask what you need to see the Doctor about?". When I say "No, I'd rather not discuss it." she says "OK, I'll put it down as personal." Well, all of my visits to the doctor are personal, and none of them need to be discussed with the receptionist.
What do you think?

Some surgeries are busier than others with limited appointments and varying booking systems.

None have mime though. I think they should. Bit dreary aren't they, doctors' waiting rooms? I'd cheer everybody right up with my scurvy mime.

I might have done something like that in past

(except, working for a dentist, i wasn't referring to someone's piles but his personality!)

SOH - you made me snort.

I agree with the consensus here. It's just a basic sort of triage. The officious receptionists (of which there are a few), give the majority a bad name. They are not out to snoop, and you don't have to tell if you don't want.

Have been a hospital receptionist and people don't half look down on you

I'm not a doctor but an optometrist and tbh, it does help if the receptionist asks beforehand to ensure enough time is allocated for an appointment. Nothing worse than being really busy, running behind and then discovering that the person in the chair wants a contact lens assesmment and should have been booked in for an hour, as oppposed to the half hour they are booked in for. Would assume it must be similar for GPs.

SOH
It has to be more fun than flicking through the People's Friend magazine, which I've done all too much lately.
I caught myself almost writing down a recipe FGS, and then realised it's for old folks and what I really need is a scurvy mime

chipmonkey - useful perspective

There's not a lot of evidence of an efficient service at my doctors' surgery. Maybe everyone is saying "it's personal".
For a while they said "Do you think the nurse practitioner might be able to help you?", I could handle that.

Thank you Jamie. Now I feel like a Really Useful Engine!

My doc's practice doesn't ask if you make an appointment to see your own doc.

But if you go for a same-day, walk-in, "while you wait" clinic (supposed to be for minor ailments) you have to fill in a form saying what you're moaning about, and see a nurse for BP and stuff first, presumably so you're on a fast track assembly line.

Theyt also have nurse practitioner clinics for diabetes, asthma w.h.y.

BTW my "own" doc has for some reason I don't know cut down on the number of patients he sees, and has about a 2-week appointment queue if U particularly want to see him and no-one else

I don't know if he's too busy with conferences and running the practice, or if he's unwell, or if he's on the glidepath to retirement. AFAICT he is thorough, and spends longer per patient that the other docs in the practice (he is now senior partner)

Gosh, ours never ever ask us what it's for -- I'd probably find it a bit odd if they did but assuming they have a reason to need to know, wouldn't be unduly bothered.

Wonder if ours would be a bit more efficient if they did ask -- I'd gladly pay that price.

Terrible magazine options aren't they? People's Friend, Horse and Hound and Take The Piss magazine or whatever it's called. Page 1, I lost 16 stone through eating grass and caught myself a Turkish lover in the process, page 2 my binman stole my goldfish, page 5 crap tips, page 6 win a doily competition. Pages 3 and 4 were ripped out. Probably a recipe for quiche.

It needs a reshake, the whole waiting room scenario. At least put twister out. Something. Anything.

No, not quiche, it was an interesting recipe for a salad containing blueberries.
I like Blueberries.

Not that I'm defending People's Friend, just saying.

Twister sounds like fun. I'd play, but given my cough, I think others may avoid me and I'd have to play alone, and then I'd resemble a low rent breakdancer.

This Doctors surgery thing is not easy is it?

Receptionists will have very basic triage training so they know to redirect someone to A&E or minor injuries unit. They can also help ensure that the appt is for the correct doctor or nurse and for the correct length of time. They can be disciplined and dismissed for breach of confidentiality. Many patients don't like to tell the receptionist what the problems is but it can often save time for everyone including the patient if they do.

I worry that this type of question is effectively asking receptionists to make medical judgements which they aren't qualified to make. My mum once had an awful time with an abcess in her mouth because the receptionist at her surgery kept trying to insist that it was a problem she should see her dentist about, and refused to make her an appointment! And I'm sure I read the other day about some poor child dying of meningitis because a receptionist told the parent to just give the child some paracetamol and put him or her to bed...

Here is the thing. I did once tell the receptionist what I needed an appointment for. She told me that the nurse practitioner could deal with it. I told her that it was on on-going problem (migraine) and I knew that I needed to consider a change of medication, and I knew from previous appointments that the nurse couldn't deal with it. The receptionist insisted that I had to go to the nurse, I couldn't go to the doctor. Not wanting to be one of those patients that give receptionists aggro... I eventually gave in and went to see the nurse. Who immediately told me that she couldn't deal with it and I would have to make an appointment...
A fine waste of everyone's time.
So now, if I think the nurse can deal with it I tell them, if I need to see a doctor I don't divulge info. Thankfully, I don't have to go very often.

the ones at ours ask if it's an emergency and that's about it.

usually i tell them what it is because i don't ring the surgery unless it's about the kids or it is urgent.

but they know that, too, as it's a small area.

whilst i try not to be rude as a general rule i was once so incensed at being repeatedly asked what was the matter by one very rude receptionist (she refused to give me an appointment without divulging a reason) i replied:

"oh i am very sorry i didnt realise i was speaking to a trained medical professional, however if i knew what was the matter i wouldnt be making an appointment"

i still internally cringe to this day

our Drs receptionists are lovely - you can book an appt with whomever you wish but if you want a same day appointment they will ask "Is it urgent?" and then route you through the triage nurse and then a GP if appropriate.

With the DC they will always try and get them seen - even when I've rung at 5pm and they're closing in half an hour

I can understand why people may not want to tell receptionists why they want an appointment.

However, I work in a Vets and have clients who won't tell the receptionist why they want an appointment for their dog. What is the big secret?

People tend to assume receptionists are stupid. I get talked to as if I am an imbecile despite probably being better qualified than the people talking down to me.

i dont ask this. im a doctors receptionist (for now) and i never ask. i dont have to, and tbh i couldnt care less what your seeing the doctor about.

i do have to ask what your seeing the nurse for as all our nurses do different jobs. but i dont really want to know that either. i always apologise for having to ask and i dont really want to know.

Our practice asks - as said before to try and make sure people see the right professional first time - but they also say you don't have to tell the receptionist if you don't want to.

Our waiting room is fab! Loads of activity toys for the children (bolted to the floor) which I get to play with as mine are little and 'need to be shown'

VIcar- exactly, I'm sure the receptionists who HAVE to ask HATE it, far from being nosy/on a big power trip as some people imagine.

Our doctor's receptionists ask although I am not sure why and I am always vague. Once you have been through all this there are never any appointments unless you ring at 8am, so if you want to see a doctor you have to wait 1+ weeks for a routine appointment or call again the next day at 8am.