To expect a GP to be good-mannered?

I am hoping that the treatments will improve my hip - I will keep you posted Tricia - if you have a good GP it will be worth bringing it up to see what might be on offer. Don't worry about "being a burden" to him - he gets paid!

I'm glad you got a listening ear this time, Luckygirl. I haven't seen this thread before.
I've got a similar thing from my hip replacement, and haven't mentioned it to my Dr. yet. It comes and goes.
The Dr. I saw this morning was a replacement, a very sensitive young woman. Smiled a lot. Though my usual doctor is very kind, I just don't want to burden him with too many complaints.
I think he has specialised in the care of the elderly (brave man!)

Just seen new GP again about the persistent pain in my hip replacement. She was polite, respectful and thorough. She examined it in detail - which my other GPs would simply never have done - believe me I know this from long experience. She made a diagnosis and has provided pain relieving gel and has referred for a course of physio. She thinks it is muscular as several of the muscles are very sore.

She also looked at my last cholesterol result (5.8 about 4 years ago) and said that it should have been re-checked before; so arrangements have been made for this to be done. My previous GPs were against treating in this situation so would not have re-checked.

Above all I feel that I am being treated with respect, that my problems are being taken seriously and that I can go back anytime and feel secure that I will be treated humanely. You have no idea what a relief that is. Feeling unwell, but fearing to go to the GP as you did not think you would be listened to is not a comfortable situation.

I beg your pardon essie - it is Gabapentin that my friend takes. The Gabigatran is what my OH takes! Sorry - slip of the pen and of the brain!

Candelle - my OH is a retired GP, so I really do know how hard they work! It made him very ill and he had to retire early - from the age of 42 he just did locums and individual surgeries. At his 2 person surgery he worked weekends that lasted from Thursday morning to Monday evening - no wonder he collapsed!

But happily GPs do not do that any more. However they are up to their eyes in paperwork, assessment etc. and life is not easy.

What was clear about this man was that he really wanted me out of the door.

I agree that making a complaint is the only way that improvements can happen. But I do not think the practice manager can possibly be unaware - I rang for an appointment and could have picked one of several with him the same day - and this when his partner is on leave when you would expect him to be up to his eyes. Everyone was obviously waiting till the other partner's return.

essie - there are some characteristics of trigeminal neuralgia, but it is not continuous, thankfully, which indicates that it probably is not. I am so sorry that you have this horribly painful problem - a friend of mine had it and was referred to a consultant who prescribed Gabigatran - she takes it every day - and has been told not to stop taking it - and she is fine now. No pain at all.

Totally agree with you Candelle. I do wish though that more patients would officially complain about bad treatment and praise good treatment, by both staff and doctors. Lots of cards and presents at Christmas etc time are nice but unless that praise is made properly it doesn't count for anything. The good doctors know who the bad doctors are but unless people complain officially nothing can be done, and they're the ones working harder to make up for it .

Holding my hands up here - DD is a GP.

No patient should be treated the way that Luckygirl was. If this type of behaviour happens on a regular basis, there could well be a problem and a word with the Practice Manager would be the best way forward.

However, I must make a small plea for GPs. My daughter is in her surgery by 7.15am. Some days end at 8.30pm. Plus, of course, like everyone else, travelling time, so her constant days are of some 13 - 14 hours+ duration.

I am sure that some of us used to work these hours - occasionally - when there was a 'push came to shove' situation but not every day and not making difficult, concise decisions. Decisions which may well be life-threatening. Putting a decimal point in the wrong place in a report does not come close to the constant stress these people are under.

Did I mention meetings? Your GP if a partner, will probably be participating in practice meetings, too. In my daughter's case, these commence after surgery and finish at around 11.00pm - or later. Several times a month.

Working weekends? In order to find the pure luxury of spending time working out decisions for patients and the practice, GP weekends have to be spent together. No family time that weekend (she has two small children).

Continuous professional training? Yup, loads of it.

Reading? GP's are to be au fait with new treatments, drugs and therapies etc. In their own time of course.......

I absolutely agree that doctors are not Gods (and in my experience, most don't think they are) and we should all be subject to basic manners and behaviour etc., but it is so easy to knock GP's who work so very hard.

A little like teachers (also easily 'knock-able') how can they defend themselves? They do an extremely difficult job (and oh, please don't get me started on GP pay. If one were to work out the hourly rate, many here would probably not consider the job! They are NOT paid the £100,000+ salaries some newspapers lead the public to believe).

Consultations have moved on from our youth - yes, your GP should be looking at you as you enter the surgery (to gain insight on you) but as computers are now available, and there are so many more dug therapies, screens do need to be checked during the consultation.

7 to 10 minutes, including listening to you, an examination, explaining what is to be done, printing a script and writing up your notes for your next visit... not long is it?

The Government has made GP surgeries undertake much of the work previously undertaken by hospitals - but without the extra resources of buildings, staff or money. No wonder our system is creaking.

Sorry if this is a bit of a rant and I do believe Luckygirl has a valid point but please, do spare a thought for some very hard-working people in our communities.

If you are unhappy with the behaviour of your GP please don't let it fester. If this happens more than a few times (we are all allowed the odd 'off-day', aren't we?!) do speak to your Practice Manager who will hopefully resolve the situation for you.

I agree that they're looking at the computer screen to check your medical history, whether any recent test results have come in and to see what medication you may already be on before they prescribe - they can't be expected to remember everything about you from last time!

If they don't type up the notes during consultation they have to do it afterwards, making them either late for the next patient or, if it's done later on the information they write may not be as good. They're looking at medication that the patient is on to see if it needs changing or could be having an effect on the reason for the appointment; blood tests that have been done or may need to be done etc . And also having to type out the prescription as well. Years ago doctors would have been looking through the paper notes and hand writing the prescription which would have looked less impersonal I guess.

Having been complimentary about my GP practice on another thread I will nevertheless admit that there is one doctor whom I try to avoid. There is nothing wrong with his diagnostic or prescriptive skills but, as I said to one of his partners, he makes me feel as if I am making him late for his golf match.

I too have had similar treatment from a GP whom I now refuse point blank to see. I appreciate when in pain there is little choice to be had. I was absolutely furious at the time and so I can sympathise how helpless you feel, especially with connections to the practice. It in no way reflects upon you and frankly the sooner you can dismiss the so-called dr. and this experience from your thoughts the better for you. I write only to mention that I have trigeminal neuralgia which is excruciatingly painful and sounds similar to your symptoms. I am only prescribed paracetamol and codeine for the pain and its often inadequate. I also lay a warm fleece on the affected area which helps a little. Hope you manage to find some remedy or relief.

"Luckygirl" had an unlucky experience, but I think we should start putting our trust in the young GPs who are, inevitably, replacing the more familiar doctors who are now retiring.

In my experience the young ones are absolutely brilliant - kind, courteous, dedicated and thorough. They are also excellent communicators (one even phoned me after a recent consultation to make sure I was out of pain!).

"Rosequartz", I do hope you discover to your delight and surprise that the new GPs in your practice are just as good, if not better, than your old ones. You'll certainly find they are less disillusioned than their predecessors ...

Victoria 08 agree does seem Rude, but our surgery email the prescription now and guess they checking your records but know what you mean.

Our old surgery was staffed by retired gp s doing locum work?! So not sure why they retire early but yes they do get good pensions.

Sadly new doctors could not be enticed,

New practice is run by 2 indian doctors and we have english lady gp who is marvellous. Senior partner lady yet to meet other partner man not I reseed with but 2 out 3 not bad. So good. BE able get appt if necessary online also and to actually see same person is so helpful.

Whenever I go to see a G.P they spend a heck of a lot of time looking at the computer scree and not looking at me. I sometimes wonder if they listen to what I am saying. I do think it is bad manners to not look a patient face in the face whilst you are speaking to them.
I guess some of them are overworked, and can't manage the workload. Hence the grumpiness and couldn't care less attitude.
Does anyone else feel frustrated then docs stare at computer the whole time during consultations.

I am always surprised at the way some health professionals act, even the Consultant that I have seen Privately. I had a list of questions to ask him at a consultation appointment recently but he was up out of his chair, across the room, standing with the door open before I had the chance once he had finished talking. I'm making sure I'm prepared for the same treatment next time I see him, I will ask that he closes the door, sits down and listens to my questions and concerns first as I am paying him!!!!

This kind of "arrogance" used to be much worse but I think gradually we have started to give back as good as we get. Do not be afraid to complain. I once asked an oncologist if he "walked on water as well" and that stopped him in his tracks.

Luckygirl's post 21.13pm thursday annodomini.

Perhaps you would like to enlarge on that remark, soontobe. It seemed to come out of nowhere. More doctors than not are taking early retirement as far as I know. The senior ones in our practice seem to be no more than 50, most of them less.

At one point in my life I ran a playgroup in a church hall. The two other girls and I would get there early each morning to drag out all the larger equipment out of storage and arrange it, fill the water table and the sandpit and put out all the small stuff invitingly on the tables - clay, paints and paper, jigsaws and other puzzles, books to read, even a little workbench and tools (miniature but real ) and bits of wood.

Five minutes before everyone arrived, it looked wonderful and tempting, even to us adults, but as soon as they got stuck in it reverted to normal. and chaos began. Our in-joke was that it was a marvellous place to work until the children arrived - but it was a joke We really loved to have them.

Some doctors seem to have arrived at the feeling that their surgeries are marvellous places to work, until the patients start arriving - and they allow themselves to show it. People in other occupations can be just the same - the customer or client is an interruption to the real reasons that they are in the job.

I felt so angry on your behalf after reading your post!
Politeness, listening to a patient, answering questions , sounding interested. Discussing fears, asking lots of questions. Explaining possibilities. Discussing next steps and explaining the rationale behind this. All these things should be the norm.
You should leave the surgery feeling more positive than you went in.

I have had some health concerns recently and have had such a positive experience from the the six different medical experts I have been dealing with.

I think, if I had had your deplorable experience, I would have to do something. I'd probably change surgeries unless I could guarantee I would never have to see this GP again. No matter what your connection, I would advise never having to speak to him again. His rude and indifferent attitude can only do harm.

There, rant over!

Hope you're feeling more positive now you've had chance to vent your feelings. Also hope you get to the bottom of the problem and start feeling better.

It is particularly uncomfortable when this happens, as we are more vulnerable when we are feeling unwell.

Large pensions have a lot to answer for.

A female GP was once abrupt with me when I was asking for more information. The shock I felt at her attitude must have shown on my face because she changed her tone immediately

The GP I had the problem with is just plain burnt out and should retire. He is happy to dole out drugs to get the patients of his back.

I have some sympathy with that in one sense - my OH was a GP and retired early because of the toll it was taking on his health and well-being.

But the patients with this particular GP - I know others who have suffered the same fate.