Why do doctors only give you 10 minutes these days?

Ours specify that the appointment is for one issue only. If you have more than one thing wrong you need to book two appointments. I think they have always had 5 minute sessions. If you don't talk fast enough you never find out what is wrong - unless you book another appointment in 6 weeks time.

I’m seeing a doctor on Wednesday. Only the second appointment I’ve had in over ten years but I’m dreading it. Will write down a list of questions as I do tend to gabble when I’m nervous and as I was initially supposed to be going for a steroid injection which I’ve now decided not to have I’m worried that she’ll be annoyed with me. I used to work at our surgery and I don’t recognise the place any more. And I don’t know any of the doctors.

It may be luck, but the GPs I have seen here seem to have the time to listen and one even asked if there was anything else I wished to discuss!🤞

Nurses do 12 hour shifts, and the Nurse practitioners I encountered were calm, patient, interested and listened, plus dealing with the problem.

windmill1

I suspect Dr Google and the Internet may have something to do with it - I bet GP's can feel there heart sinking to their boots if a patient walks in and proceeds to whip out a bunch of print-outs.

My dd welcomes patients who have a bit of knowledge about their condition. She’s not so keen on patients who have self-diagnosed and decided on their own treatment and just want her to write the prescription. 🤷‍♀️

eazybee

Because many only work a four day week.

Doing ten or twelve hour days. My trainee GP daughter often misses lunch because she’s out on house calls. Do people really want to be seen by an exhausted GP at the end of a 60 hour week?

I suspect Dr Google and the Internet may have something to do with it - I bet GP's can feel there heart sinking to their boots if a patient walks in and proceeds to whip out a bunch of print-outs.

It could be uneconomical to work the full week? Taxes?

eazybee

Because many only work a four day week.

Or less....mostly work 3 days at my practice...either mums with young children....or older taking retire and return so winding down....flexible working...but thats fine

Ours say 10 mins but if you talk fast you can generally talk about 3 things if needed

10 minutes?! Our GP talks over you, tells you his diagnosis and then sends you a link to look up. If you’re lucky you may get 3 minutes. God help you if you have a telephone appointment with him. It doesn’t matter what time it’s booked for, he will ring you when it suits him, even if you tell him you are in a public place and can’t talk, he will ignore you, asks personal questions, comes up with a diagnosis, tells you if you can afford it, to go private. And then sends you a link. All in the space of 3 minutes!

Because many only work a four day week.

Personally I have never needed longer than the 10 mins.

I do go in there very prepared though.

I always have details and questions preprepared so I dont waste anyones' time.

10 minutes ? You lucky ducks - we get about 5 and we have to pay $92

Our GP surgery has a sign that reads "Please prepare for your vaccination appointment by removing your coat in good time before your appointment time". I sit there thinking "People need to be told this?!" 🤦‍♀️

I was astounded recently waiting for a blood test at our local hospital where many people took forever to "get ready" once their name was called. And before anyone jumps on me, I'm not talking about anyone who uses a walking aid etc. It was just about everyone...

Calendargirl

I suppose if they’re not careful, certain patients would yarn on for ages.

But others could probably be dealt with in a couple of minutes.

Don’t know how it was all managed years ago when there were no appointments, you just went in, sat down in the waiting room, worked out how many were before you, and just waited your turn.

Then the doctor, after seeing however many there were, went off to do his ‘rounds’ and ‘house calls’.

Were we fitter then, didn’t go to the doctor so much, or simply fewer people to be seen?

I think all those three things👍🏻
Ten minute appointments often are all it needs, but where the GP feels it needs more they will take longer and the next patient just has to wait.
I saw my GP recently and she took 20 minutes at least with me.

When was your day CarolDean?

As long as I can remember doctors' appointments have not been any longer. In fact the recommended time was seven and a half minutes during the 1970s, and when booking appointments they were spaced at alternating five and ten minute intervals.

Sadly demand outweighs the capacity to see patients. Agree book x2 slots if you have 2 problems.
Tbh your issues are quickly sorted swollen ankles with BP meds very common, usually Calcium Chanel blockers cause it.

Our surgery is now online so with photos and comments, a gp will prescribe from the description given. This probably works upto a point. 111 is very good when the gp isn’t available.

We're lucky here with our doctors; each patient gets up to 15 minutes, and they're brilliant, and you can tell them anything.

If you need to see them for longer, say 20 minutes, they'll ask you to wait in the waiting room for as long as you can so they can fit you in between other patients, or ask you to make another appointment.

Do you know, I rather think, in my childhood, the village doctor had one of those call bells on his desk.

When he thought he’d had enough of you he used to just bang his hand down on the bell -bong!- and the next patient would come in from behind the green baize door. And out you went by the door on the opposite side of the room whether you’d finished or not🤣🤣🤣

I suppose if they’re not careful, certain patients would yarn on for ages.

But others could probably be dealt with in a couple of minutes.

Don’t know how it was all managed years ago when there were no appointments, you just went in, sat down in the waiting room, worked out how many were before you, and just waited your turn.

Then the doctor, after seeing however many there were, went off to do his ‘rounds’ and ‘house calls’.

Were we fitter then, didn’t go to the doctor so much, or simply fewer people to be seen?

I book two sessions.

Tell the booking person you have 2 issues.
Swollen legs/BP and hearing?

That should help.

I guess because they’ve got a lot of people who want to see them.

Short appointments vs lng waits for appointments.

Take your pick.