Is getting a second opinion still a thing?

[NefertitiMildred]

Saw a GP at our practice recently for an issue with DS (non urgent). The doc openly told me he knew nothing about the condition, and clearly made no effort to research it in between my three interactions with him (initial online consult, face to face consult, and phone call to discuss results). I had to tell him what the possible treatments were from my own research after he told me there was ‘probably no treatment’. He wanted to do a follow-up but I was so annoyed by his attitude that we had a kind of tetchy conversation and I told him I didn’t want to put DS through any further tests at that time because he was having some mental health issues and it would have freaked him out (which was true but doc was annoyed).

Now I’m thinking we should really do the follow up. Symptoms are possibly getting more noticeable (again this is not a life threatening condition or anything but could require intervention). But I don’t want to go back to this particular GP because he seems clueless and I kind of fell out with him.

Obviously it’s hard enough to get to see any NHS doctor at the moment so I’m not sure how to go about seeing someone different? Do I go back to our usual practice and say I want an appointment but please not with Dr X? Not sure if that’s even possible now that it’s all online. And would that info get back to him? I don’t want to exacerbate the situation in case we ever have to deal with him again over something else.

Or am I going to have to go through all the hassle of actually changing DS to a different GP practice? There isn’t another one conveniently located so it would be a huge pain. Is this the only way to get a ‘second opinion’ these days? Thanks.

You absolutely have the right to Request a different gp at your practice.
i now refuse to see one who missed a bad tonsillitis diagnosis in my little one who ended up very poorly as a result and am just
polite but firm when I need to make an appointment- can I please make an appt for X with any GP but not dr Y. Unlikely this would get back to him and if it did maybe it would help him reflect on his practice. Not a bad thing. It certainly won’t affect the care and treatment you and your child receive from the practice.
You need to feel comfortable with the Gp caring for your child and have a good relationship and that’s not happened here so definitely ask for another opinion.
Even if they agree with first gp that would be helpful to know and they may help explain reasons or plans better.

I actually changed GPs because the one we originally had was USELESS and misdiagnosed my DD for 13 months and my DD was very unwell. I emailed the surgery as advised by the receptionist and we were put with a lovely paediatrician who I used to see when DC were very small. If you aren't happy with your GP, you must say. I

I would care at all about offending the GP or it getting back to them. But if you’re worried, just take the easy route and ask to see a female GP.

Yes you absolutely can BUT …..

Be careful and be aware that this really seems to piss doctors off. They can very easily play the FII (fabricated or induced illness) card (previously munchausens by proxy) of which ‘doctor shopping’ is a red flag.

We went through it - I was accused of dr shopping and attention seeking. When I tried to complain about things I was told complaining is again a red flag and attention seeking so social services had to be involved as it was a child protection issue.

After being fully investigated and seen by yet another dr my worries were validate with a diagnosis. But we went through hell and know others who on seeking a second opinion or falling out with a professional experienced similar.

When he admitted he knew nothing about the condition why didn’t you ask if he could refer you to someone who does?

at this point why don’t you check out the other GP’s specialisms and see if any have training in that area, then request them?

if you are happy with the diagnosis, just not the GP’s level of expertise, then it’s not so much a second opinion you need but to find someone who knows about the condition.

Gosh that seems very weird. How do they square that with everyone’s supposed right to change GP practice anytime you like, without stating the reason?

Anyway there’s no possibility I could be accused of fabricating DS’s condition because it’s blatantly visible and the previous GP took a photo to prove it, and sent it to a paediatrician (who doesn’t seem to have been much help either). It needs a referral to a specialist clinic but when he didn’t suggest that, I was just a bit shocked and unsure what to do. It’s not like they’re saying nothing’s wrong. They just don’t seem to know what to do about it.

What about if I just ‘innocently’ request another appt without saying who with, and then if they give me one with that doctor, I pretend not to be able to make that date and keep being ‘busy’ until they give me an alternative appt with someone else?