Trainee GP concerns?

I wish everyone could see the trainee Dr I saw.
It was an emergency appointment, I was with him for over 30 mins.
He tested absolutely everything, including an ECG. Then he phoned the hospital to tell them to expect me. Wonderful man.

Sometimes, I’m my experience, the trainees are more thorough. Don’t forget although they are “trainee GPs” they will have undertaken a diverse set of training to this point.

If you’re not happy or satisfied rebook and ask to see someone else for a second opinion.

Good luck

*In my experience!! Edit button please

Trainee GP nearly killed our daughter.

I do think that it is difficult without further information. This is what I think is relevant:
I am presuming they had access to information from your previous appointments
Has this medication been tried before, and if so did you tell them?
Depending on the situation, a month could be a reasonable trial of this medication - do you have any reason to think it shouldn't be tried?
Have you been given follow-up information - such as 'come back in a month's time to discuss how the trial has worked' or 'if you see no improvement by [a certain time] please make an appointment'.

These flow charts / algorithms are very useful. They are a way of ensuring that things are not missed, and as a nurse practitioner I used them a lot.

I would consider why you don't feel you have been heard properly by the doctor. Is it because you have a feeling that this medication isn't the right thing for you? Think about why.
Is it because these are worrying times in the NHS and we are all a bit on edge?
Did you not feel comfortable with this doctor - because they are a 'trainee' or some other reason?

8 months is quite a long time - is your problem worsening or not going away? Or i it one of those intermittent issues?

In this situation you do have a right to discuss with someone else, you also (IMHO) have the responsibility to consider the use of NHS resources. If you do ask to see someone else, I would try to pinpoint what you feel the problem is. Sometimes when we are upset and anxious that is difficult

I do hope this is helpful and that you can resolve it.

I started this before M)nica's post - so sorry to hear this.

I don't mind a trainee so long as another Dr. is supervising him/her
and that goes for hospitals as well.
They do have to learn but needs checking.

I am more concerned about the Physician Associates who have 2 years training and are not qualified Doctors. Their role is to assist Doctors not take their place. It is very concerning that they are being allowed to do things that only trained Doctors should be doing. They are soon to be recognised by the General Medical Council Why? The problem is we are not told when visiting our GP's whether we are seeing an actual Doctor or a Physician Associate. This cannot and should not be acceptable to Patients.

Judy54

I am more concerned about the Physician Associates who have 2 years training and are not qualified Doctors. Their role is to assist Doctors not take their place. It is very concerning that they are being allowed to do things that only trained Doctors should be doing. They are soon to be recognised by the General Medical Council Why? The problem is we are not told when visiting our GP's whether we are seeing an actual Doctor or a Physician Associate. This cannot and should not be acceptable to Patients.

Totally agree on this, I see that there is a need for such a role but it should be made clear on making an appointment this is who you are seeing and they should only be able to see you for certain minor ailments.

Our online booking system does allow us to see who we are booking with and their status. It also states whether male or female.

I agree with Petra and Cossy. Having seen a trainee Dr a couple of times, they were extremely thorough and I was with one of them for 45 minutes, and a GP was on hand if needed. Wish all our appointments could be like that.

Exactly how do you know that the trainee gp wasn’t conferring with a supervisor online? You wrote that he had access to a computer so he may have been supervised but without your knowledge.

ronib

Exactly how do you know that the trainee gp wasn’t conferring with a supervisor online? You wrote that he had access to a computer so he may have been supervised but without your knowledge.

Because I was sat facing the screen.

Auntieflo

I agree with Petra and Cossy. Having seen a trainee Dr a couple of times, they were extremely thorough and I was with one of them for 45 minutes, and a GP was on hand if needed. Wish all our appointments could be like that.

Good to know, this one just didn't seem to be very knowledgeble or thorough, most of the time if you are seeing GP you have not met before, they would at least do a brief examination.

It all seems a bit pot-luck doesn't it?

If you're not happy after trying the medication then go back.

Trainee GPs are qualified doctors doing extra training to be gps. They are allowed extra time for each consultation and have a qualified go mentor within the practice to refer to if unsure. I hope your treatment is effective and you feel better soon.

Nannarose

I do think that it is difficult without further information. This is what I think is relevant:
I am presuming they had access to information from your previous appointments
Has this medication been tried before, and if so did you tell them?
Depending on the situation, a month could be a reasonable trial of this medication - do you have any reason to think it shouldn't be tried?
Have you been given follow-up information - such as 'come back in a month's time to discuss how the trial has worked' or 'if you see no improvement by [a certain time] please make an appointment'.

These flow charts / algorithms are very useful. They are a way of ensuring that things are not missed, and as a nurse practitioner I used them a lot.

I would consider why you don't feel you have been heard properly by the doctor. Is it because you have a feeling that this medication isn't the right thing for you? Think about why.
Is it because these are worrying times in the NHS and we are all a bit on edge?
Did you not feel comfortable with this doctor - because they are a 'trainee' or some other reason?

8 months is quite a long time - is your problem worsening or not going away? Or i it one of those intermittent issues?

In this situation you do have a right to discuss with someone else, you also (IMHO) have the responsibility to consider the use of NHS resources. If you do ask to see someone else, I would try to pinpoint what you feel the problem is. Sometimes when we are upset and anxious that is difficult

I do hope this is helpful and that you can resolve it.

The medication given is just a double dose of the OTC treatment I have been using so there is unlikely to be any tangible benefit (I am a pharmaceutical scientist by training).
The issue is worsening and I feel that now they should be investigating a possible underlying cause rather than just continuing treating the symptoms.
I have no issue with trainees - we all have to learn our jobs at some point - feel like the receptionist should have mentioned this when I made the appointment so I had an option to see the GP I saw if I preferred to wait to another day.

Judy54:

I have worried about this for some time now. Thank you for raising it.

True excellence, providing outstanding care, thoughtful diagnoses and management requires skilled hands, trained in medical school for 5/6 years. There surely are no short cuts to attain this level of knowledge.

I would prefer to see a qualified nurse rather than a Physician Associate; in fact I would trust a nurse over some of the Junior doctors I encountered recently.

Did you tell the doctor that you weren’t happy to be prescribed more of the same meds, Dancingduck? Did you ask for further investigation? The NHS model now seems to be that the patient is the one who leads the process, unlike in the ‘olden days’ when the doctor would simply say you’ve got ABC, take this XYZ medicine, which is now seen as patrician.

There’s also the possibility that the doctor was having to conform to protocols laid down by the surgery or Health Board, in that you can’t proceed to the next step until you’ve taken all the previous steps.

Whatever the situation, I think as you’re unhappy you should request another appointment with someone who can explain the decision-making to you and where you can state what you want to happen.

I recently saw a trainee doctor and was not impressed. She was very unfriendly and hurried me. She was a big girl with a huge backside and a very short skirt. When she bent over to adjust the couch you could see her knickers. She did do a referral for me though. Overall opinion, not very professional.

DH saw a Physician Assistant although she didnt introduce herself as one. She was excellent and very thorough. GPs and PAs seem to have to go through a clear protocol while trying to refer a patient to hospital for further tests.
I too am waiting for a GI appt. While waiting the GP requested 2 pooh tests and a further blood test to check for some things not covered in the Full blood count.
No medications have been prescribed. Probably because the go-to Buscopan is not suitable for those with glaucoma.
I was pleased to see this GP as she quickly sent me for a ct scan in 2020 which highlighted problems with lymph nodes resulting in a later diagnosis of a blood cancer. So I have no complaints about my current treatment.
I think you ought to raise your concerns in writing with the practice about your current situation and ask if your current "treatment" can be reviewed.

Nobody has yet mentioned Nurse Practioners, or have they been subsumed into Physician Assistants.

We have one in our practice. I was put off when i saw her because all through the consultation she kept saying 'Ah, bless' in that tone of voice kept specially for children and the elderly.

I'd be quite happy to be seen by a PA. They have to have a science or biomedical science degree, then undergo intensive training for 2 years as well as undertaking regular updates which are compulsory, same as GPs, Nurses, or anyone for that matter. in the medical profession .
Very interesting to read what they go through training wise to achieve their role.
University of Birmingham Medical School.