GP appointment today. What should I say? GP is lovely but just writes off for a referral if you ask for one without really saying what he thinks might be wrong.

[ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe]

This thread

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I know it isn't a very exciting thread but with all DD's past physical problems I am really worried.

had a quick look at your thread- gp's have a varying range of experience, esp when it comes to paediatric orthopaedics and saying what is normal (i hate that word!). gp's refer for different reasons- second opinion, specialist advice/treatment, quotas etc, (parental concern is a biggie!) more experenced gps, ofen have higher referral rates. unfortunately if you want your GP to say its X, Y OR Z- they might not be able to, because they simply don't know.

All I want is him to say this is wrong, that is not wrong or I am not sure and will refer you.

I ask for a referral, he writes the letter, that's it.

If you want a different answer you need to ask a different question.

If you say "I want a referral to X" and he writes you a referral you can't really complain about that

If you say "I would like your opinion" then you will get his opinion which will be more along the lines of 'this is wrong, that is not wrong or I am not sure and will refer you.' But it might not be a referral if that is what you really want and not his opinion.

If you ask "I would like to know what you think about XYZ" and if you feel you want a referral and he does not suggest it you then ask "would you think it might help if we saw an orthopaedic doctor or would there be another option you would recommend?" then it opens it up for dialogue.

As a doctor I'll tell you the inside secret on how to get the best advice from doctors.... ;)

.... tell then the truth, tell them what you are worried about, don't be embarrassed or leave the thing out that is really worrying you, be open minded and ask them for their opinion. I won't say there are bad doctors out there or good ones never have a grumpy day (we are only human) but most of us respond well to good manners and honesty

In this case you say they are lovely so why not say "Hello Dr X, it is about DD, I was was wondering if a referral to Y for her might be useful and I would also like to know what you think might be the problem." That would be my dream patient!

although looking at the date you have probably already gone - how did it go?

Typically she walked fine but I showed him how her foot goes. He told me when she was in me she lay with her foot bent and I remember she rarely moved and I was scanned weakly towards the end. She had physio when she was small as she had hypotonia. We have a self referral form and we are going to read through it and send it off.

Thanks.

Glad it went ok

Reading both your threads I have the same as your DD caused by the the same reason before I was born. I was offered surgery when I was maybe about 9 as my knee was also affected but opted against it as I was managing and apart from a a few extra bumps where I fell over my feet I didn't notice. I was given insoles instead which I hated as I couldn't wear fashionable shoes and I'm not sure it made any difference. I was given physio exercises but like any child I 'forgot' to do them. At about 18 I threw the insoles out and refused to wear sensible shoes anymore - it made no difference to how often I fell over My foot still does the same if I think about it but it is much less apparent or important now I am an adult and I don't think about it from one year to the next

My DD complains a lot that her legs hurt and she is a bit of a faller still.

I hope you get it sorted for her - but I just wanted to reassure you that it won't affect her life long term

Thank you.