Doctors and how they come across

Our first GP was an alcoholic. You only saw him if desperate.

It's rare to see a GP, the appointment is usually with a nurse now which often means a repeat visit at a later date with the same problem. - that definitely happens round here and, given that it takes me 35 minutes to get to the surgery, that second journey is more than mildly annoying!

My Diabetes GP spends the 1st 5 minutes of my 10 minute consultation reading up her computer. Then she discusses whatever she wants not whatever I want to talk about. Very brusk and never says good morning or goodbye.
As a child the family GP drove to our house whenever my Mum phoned the surgery. He was an amputee and used a wheelchair. He knew all of the family and would do a general check up on any of the family at the same time. Those were the days. hugs

Right up until his death my husband always requested ( by phone) and got appointments with the same GP. She even sent me a personal letter after he died.
I’m not sure it would work now that the system has changed to online booking with very limited options.

We knew our old GPs and thry were just always there iyswim! One had taken over the practice from his father. Alas, they all retired and whilst some of those who took over are good, some have left and there seemed to be a rapid turnover. They are all part-time now too.
It's rare to see a GP, the appointment is usually with a nurse now which often means a repeat visit at a later date with the same problem.

The loss of continuity is a shame. My late OH was GP in a small country practice. The patients knew him and he knew them. When they came in the door he knew who had died in their family if they were in work, whether they got on with their spouse... as well as all the medical history. And this all added up to a better more individualised service.

I now seldom see the same person twice and they spend most of the meagre 10 minutes trying to catch up on my history on their screen.

When I lost all my hair, a woman doctor's advice and treatment was 'get a wig'.

Is that the one who knew your whole health history before you sat down? Where indeed.

I'm involved in training medical students. I' m a simulated patient for communication training and exams. A lot of work seems to go into how these new potential doctors come over to patients. Of course, some are better than others.