A GP has provided tips for the “perfect” GP appointment and highlighted a crucial pitfall to avoid.
Dr Adam from @herb_docs, who took to TikTok with solid advice for patients, spoke on ensuring a “seamless” experience when finally getting in front of a GP.
He also shared what doctors least want patients to do and said there’s “nothing worse” you can do during a consultation.
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For those lucky enough to secure a slot with their GP, Dr Adam emphasised the importance of being concise and knowing your family medical history as this can determine the success of the appointment.
The most crucial piece of guidance Dr Adam imparts for individuals with booked consultations was: “One problem at a time. Nothing is worse than seeing a patient coming with a list of three or four issues and expecting to solve them to the required depth within 10 minutes. One problem in 10 minutes and if you feel you need more time, book a double appointment.”
Additionally, Dr Adam suggested a tip to expedite the consultation process – knowing your illness and familial health background thoroughly. His words were clear: “Understand your own problems. Prepare what you’ve got to say, know your own past medical history, know what medications you take, and understand any conditions that run in your family.”
The last tip was to set out your expectations clearly. “When we ask ‘What is it you hoped I could do for you today?’ just be outright and say you want some blood tests and an x-ray. That way I know what you want, and we can come to an understanding of the best way to treat you.”
However, the advice received backlash on TikTok as users expressed frustration about the difficulty in scheduling even one appointment with a GP, contradicting Dr Adam’s initial proposition.
One user remarked: “Be good if you could get one appointment at the moment.”
Another vented their irritation: “Double appointment? You can’t get an appointment, and if you do we have to tell you the 3 or 4 issues as we won’t see you again for years.”
A third lamented over the potential intimidation and lack of vocabulary patients might face, stating: “Might be good to understand patients may not have the words or confidence to say what they want or need.”