Help me be less of a baby about seeing doctors.
October 21, 2024 5:18 AM
I have a terrible time seeing doctors because I invariably get treated very unsympathetically. I think this is because of my weight. How can I be more of a grown-up about this? I can't just avoid doctors forever.
I am overweight and am being treated for high blood pressure, so have annual health check-ups.
I have a terrible time at my GP surgery. I absolutely hate going there. I always feel horribly anxious before and after an appointment. Think: disrupted sleep, waking up in the horrors, etc. I have been yelled at, told that something must be psychologically wrong with me for letting myself be so overweight, told that I am too fat for 'ordinary measures' to make a difference and that I should consider bariatric surgery. (I've looked into this independently; I don't want to do it.) I ran out of medication so didn't take it for a couple of days, and got yelled at for doing so. Look, to that last point, I admit that letting oneself run out of meds isn't a smart move, but I'm also a human being and fuck up occasionally. I don't think that it warrants someone literally yelling at you.
I've noticed the poor treatment extends to discussion of other issues e.g. when I went to my GP to talk about my poor mental health she said "You're wasting my time, I have a room full of actual sick people out there", and also I got told I must be lying about my sexual history.
I need to continue getting check-ups regularly, so I can't just quit seeing doctors, but I always feel worse when I come back, and imagine I'm having a heart attack etc. In the past I've put off seeing doctors for months about things that needed to be looked at because I have zero desire to be yelled at or spoken to like I'm a lost cause literally about to die. This is not a grown-up approach! How can I, I guess, manage my emotions better so that I am not an anxious, palpitations-having mess before and after a dr visit?
I am overweight and am being treated for high blood pressure, so have annual health check-ups.
I have a terrible time at my GP surgery. I absolutely hate going there. I always feel horribly anxious before and after an appointment. Think: disrupted sleep, waking up in the horrors, etc. I have been yelled at, told that something must be psychologically wrong with me for letting myself be so overweight, told that I am too fat for 'ordinary measures' to make a difference and that I should consider bariatric surgery. (I've looked into this independently; I don't want to do it.) I ran out of medication so didn't take it for a couple of days, and got yelled at for doing so. Look, to that last point, I admit that letting oneself run out of meds isn't a smart move, but I'm also a human being and fuck up occasionally. I don't think that it warrants someone literally yelling at you.
I've noticed the poor treatment extends to discussion of other issues e.g. when I went to my GP to talk about my poor mental health she said "You're wasting my time, I have a room full of actual sick people out there", and also I got told I must be lying about my sexual history.
I need to continue getting check-ups regularly, so I can't just quit seeing doctors, but I always feel worse when I come back, and imagine I'm having a heart attack etc. In the past I've put off seeing doctors for months about things that needed to be looked at because I have zero desire to be yelled at or spoken to like I'm a lost cause literally about to die. This is not a grown-up approach! How can I, I guess, manage my emotions better so that I am not an anxious, palpitations-having mess before and after a dr visit?
Can you take a friend with you? I would hope that a doctor would be ashamed to talk like that in front of witnesses, even if she wasn't ashamed to talk like that in front of a patient. I don't blame you for being stressed and upset - that is such ugly treatment. I have no idea what UK physicians must swear to in terms of ethics, but surely this contravenes whatever it is, not that (as we know in the US) this necessarily stops anybody.
Certainly, if a friend told me they were being bullied by their doctor when they tried to access basic medical care and wanted me to come along, I would get time off work and go with them without a second thought.
Obviously changing doctors would be ideal but I know that's easier said than done. Seriously, fuck her. If I were in the UK I would gladly go along as an advocate.
posted by Frowner at 5:44 AM on October 21
Certainly, if a friend told me they were being bullied by their doctor when they tried to access basic medical care and wanted me to come along, I would get time off work and go with them without a second thought.
Obviously changing doctors would be ideal but I know that's easier said than done. Seriously, fuck her. If I were in the UK I would gladly go along as an advocate.
posted by Frowner at 5:44 AM on October 21
Absolutely find another primary care physician, maybe one who specializes in weight/bp issues. I have the same issue and my tall, thin athletic build PCP could not be kinder and in-tune with my problems. And she was a random pick, so they do exist. I am in the US so not sure about where you are, but NPs are another option here. Every medical issue I have had and got an NP assigned has been a great experience. They seem to spend more time with patients. Also, I have found female practitioners to also be more likely to have better bedside manners and compassion.
posted by maxg94 at 5:45 AM on October 21
posted by maxg94 at 5:45 AM on October 21
You're in London, aren't you, unicorn chaser?
The benefit of this, is that you likely live in the catchment area of other GP surgeries. So I would do some research online (Google Maps is fine, but your local council may also have a list) about other nearby surgeries. Check out their reviews, make a short list.
Then, visit your local pharmacy, or ideally a few of them. Ask to speak to the pharmacist and tell them you've had problems with your GP and that you want to switch. Ask them who's good and who to avoid. Pharmacists know a lot.
Once you've decided who to approach, phone them up and ask what the registration procedure is and whether you are eligible. Then you just sign up. It's your new surgeries responsibility to get your medical records, you don't need to inform your old surgery that you are leaving.
I've done all this myself and it is possible. Good luck!
posted by einekleine at 5:46 AM on October 21
The benefit of this, is that you likely live in the catchment area of other GP surgeries. So I would do some research online (Google Maps is fine, but your local council may also have a list) about other nearby surgeries. Check out their reviews, make a short list.
Then, visit your local pharmacy, or ideally a few of them. Ask to speak to the pharmacist and tell them you've had problems with your GP and that you want to switch. Ask them who's good and who to avoid. Pharmacists know a lot.
Once you've decided who to approach, phone them up and ask what the registration procedure is and whether you are eligible. Then you just sign up. It's your new surgeries responsibility to get your medical records, you don't need to inform your old surgery that you are leaving.
I've done all this myself and it is possible. Good luck!
posted by einekleine at 5:46 AM on October 21
Having high blood pressure is an incredibly common medical condition that any GP can treat effectively. You can switch to another NHS GP surgery and it is not very hard to do.
My personal suggestions are finding a practice that takes on trainee or newly qualified GPs, and/or a practice that is linked to a university. I've found newly qualified GPs are less ground down by the system, have more up-to-date information and are less insufferably sure of themselves. A practice linked to a university has a higher proportion of well people (so less stressed GPs), and in my experience is more set up for dealing with people who are not entirely sure how healthcare works and as a result the whole thing is a bit more compassionate.
In the meantime, if you have a friend you would be comfortable taking, then do that. Also, you can complain and leave well-deserved bad reviews.
No one accessing medical care for any reason should ever be yelled at. It's not ok that this has happened to you and you do not need to change anything about yourself or your response to this situation, you should just try to get yourself out of it.
posted by plonkee at 6:13 AM on October 21
My personal suggestions are finding a practice that takes on trainee or newly qualified GPs, and/or a practice that is linked to a university. I've found newly qualified GPs are less ground down by the system, have more up-to-date information and are less insufferably sure of themselves. A practice linked to a university has a higher proportion of well people (so less stressed GPs), and in my experience is more set up for dealing with people who are not entirely sure how healthcare works and as a result the whole thing is a bit more compassionate.
In the meantime, if you have a friend you would be comfortable taking, then do that. Also, you can complain and leave well-deserved bad reviews.
No one accessing medical care for any reason should ever be yelled at. It's not ok that this has happened to you and you do not need to change anything about yourself or your response to this situation, you should just try to get yourself out of it.
posted by plonkee at 6:13 AM on October 21
GPs, though they frequently prefer not to recognize it, are merely consultants. They also are not scientists, they are technicians. Think of them as if they were from your Internet provider out to diagnose a problem with your connection.
I’ve found for the most part that they really want to help, but as they are technicians they only know that if they see problem X then the fix is Y. They get frustrated and burned out when they keep finding that Y is not the answer, so they try saying it louder and angrier in hopes it will suddenly start working.
They did not become doctors so that they could be helpless in the face of people’s health issues. In fact, their dream was probably the opposite. And that is absolutely 100% their problem, not yours.
Having been treated poorly I have the same dread of going to the doctor, but now I am very clear about what I’m there for. “I am aware of problem X and it’s not going to be fixed in this office so let’s move on." If they are incapable of moving on, then I move on. If I’m there to have the Internet fixed and they instead are desperate to talk about my plumbing situation, I’m not going to change them and it’s not my responsibility to try.
I still dread having to assert myself like that, but thinking this way helps remind me that I am in control of the situation and that makes it a lot easier.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:31 AM on October 21
I’ve found for the most part that they really want to help, but as they are technicians they only know that if they see problem X then the fix is Y. They get frustrated and burned out when they keep finding that Y is not the answer, so they try saying it louder and angrier in hopes it will suddenly start working.
They did not become doctors so that they could be helpless in the face of people’s health issues. In fact, their dream was probably the opposite. And that is absolutely 100% their problem, not yours.
Having been treated poorly I have the same dread of going to the doctor, but now I am very clear about what I’m there for. “I am aware of problem X and it’s not going to be fixed in this office so let’s move on." If they are incapable of moving on, then I move on. If I’m there to have the Internet fixed and they instead are desperate to talk about my plumbing situation, I’m not going to change them and it’s not my responsibility to try.
I still dread having to assert myself like that, but thinking this way helps remind me that I am in control of the situation and that makes it a lot easier.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:31 AM on October 21
I agree with changing GPs, but also, specifically about running out of medication, prescriptions by post was a game-changer for me. Also, do you need to be seen annually? I also have high bp, but just have to submit readings every so often. You could also consider private GP appts - looks as if they are about £80, plus any additional costs for prescriptions. I hate to suggest non-NHS care, but sometimes one's anxiety can be less if you are paying directly.
posted by paduasoy at 6:34 AM on October 21
posted by paduasoy at 6:34 AM on October 21
In looking for a new GP, do a bit of research on the practice overall if you can. How many GPs do they have? Do they also have nurse practitioners or clinics for specific issues? I think a large practice may help avoid some of the things you're dealing with. While you may not get to see the same GP all the time, that also means you're not stuck with somebody with poor social and communication skills for every single visit. Good doctors do exist.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:39 AM on October 21
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:39 AM on October 21
I think this absolutely needs to be a pile-on about switching doctors, so I want to add to that pile-on and tell you to switch doctors. This question is basically "How can I learn to be feel better about being treated abusively." And the answer is that you should not learn to feel better about being treated abusively, you should walk away from the person treating you that way.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:40 AM on October 21
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:40 AM on October 21
+1 more for finding a better GP - i went through three or four of them when i was looking for effective mental health interventions a few years ago - it's a pain in the butt to have to do so, although actually empowering when you realise that you don't have to put up with the shit ones, and the difference you'll see when you finally get a good one is like night & day - good luck!
posted by rd45 at 6:42 AM on October 21
posted by rd45 at 6:42 AM on October 21
I want to join the chorus. That's an awful way for a GP to treat a patient, and good heavens, of course you don't want to go! I've moved around the UK a lot and had a lot of medical appointments over the years; I've had the occasional dismissive doctor, but I've never been yelled at or told I was wasting their time.
Please do change surgery if you can.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 6:43 AM on October 21
Please do change surgery if you can.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 6:43 AM on October 21
So first of all, you're not a baby. That is terrible care. You should not be yelled at or told you are wasting someone's time. I agree with others that the best next step is to change doctors.
Having said that, fatphobia is a thing in the medical profession and there will be times you have to see a specialist or seek urgent care, and it's good to have some tools in your kit. My MIL has similar anxiety to you - she had bad childhood experiences with doctors and was morbidly obese for some years. She also had a bad doctor with a similar attitude.
Once she got down here, she got a much better doctor, which was a game-changer - and she still has to deal with some stuff. Here's what I think helps:
1. I often go with her as 'second driver.' Sometimes her anxiety honestly does mean she doesn't hear instructions right or occasionally has misinterpreted things. I help keep those kinds of things on course. I also help make sure she has questions in advance and that she can ask them all - something that is hard to focus on when you're triggered. If you have a friend that can do this it would be great.
2. She has spoken with her doctors about having medical anxiety, and the good ones have been quite caring about it.
3. On the topic of questions - I'm usually the one doing this but whenever she used to get the "lose weight and then we can talk" kind of directives, I would always ask "what advice or course of treatment would you recommend for someone with a normal or overweight BMI?" It is amazing how many times that question has prompted a rethink. I can only think that doctors have some kind of script they throw up and forget they are talking to a person.
4. If someone is berating you, if you can (this takes some practice) straighten up, look them in the eye, and say "this is not helping me." Or pretty much anything; the idea is to interrupt them and again, remind them that you are human being.
5. Just overall treatment for anxiety and other issues. To be clear again, you have a jerk practice and anyone would feel anxiety dealing with them. But there is help for nightmares, etc.
posted by warriorqueen at 6:57 AM on October 21
Having said that, fatphobia is a thing in the medical profession and there will be times you have to see a specialist or seek urgent care, and it's good to have some tools in your kit. My MIL has similar anxiety to you - she had bad childhood experiences with doctors and was morbidly obese for some years. She also had a bad doctor with a similar attitude.
Once she got down here, she got a much better doctor, which was a game-changer - and she still has to deal with some stuff. Here's what I think helps:
1. I often go with her as 'second driver.' Sometimes her anxiety honestly does mean she doesn't hear instructions right or occasionally has misinterpreted things. I help keep those kinds of things on course. I also help make sure she has questions in advance and that she can ask them all - something that is hard to focus on when you're triggered. If you have a friend that can do this it would be great.
2. She has spoken with her doctors about having medical anxiety, and the good ones have been quite caring about it.
3. On the topic of questions - I'm usually the one doing this but whenever she used to get the "lose weight and then we can talk" kind of directives, I would always ask "what advice or course of treatment would you recommend for someone with a normal or overweight BMI?" It is amazing how many times that question has prompted a rethink. I can only think that doctors have some kind of script they throw up and forget they are talking to a person.
4. If someone is berating you, if you can (this takes some practice) straighten up, look them in the eye, and say "this is not helping me." Or pretty much anything; the idea is to interrupt them and again, remind them that you are human being.
5. Just overall treatment for anxiety and other issues. To be clear again, you have a jerk practice and anyone would feel anxiety dealing with them. But there is help for nightmares, etc.
posted by warriorqueen at 6:57 AM on October 21
Hi! Are you me before I switched doctors? Me from the past, let me tell you to switch doctors! And let me tell you how my life has changed!
Before switching doctors I got SO much judgey mcjudgepants from asshats as a fat lady and it made me feel SO bad and none of my conditions got taken care of. Then someone else told me I could just...change.
Now I have a great primary care doctor and it is LIFECHANGING. There is zero judgment and actually most of the time she doesn't talk to me at all about my weight - like, sometimes she does but it's because I initiate those conversations and we're working on non-bariatric measures, and that's after like seven years of being treated by her. I have straight up LOST meds and she's just shrugged and prescribed more. And she has been so, so gentle even when I've straight up freaked myself out by googling stuff off webmd and came in with ludicrous stuff I thought I had. It's gotten to the point where I literally go to her first if I think anything is going on. And I'm in great health compared to where I used to be! And trusting what she told me about my body let me actually trust what she told me would be the warning signs of needing to go to the hospital immediately, and I got a necessary emergency surgery recently. So like - this stuff matters!
CHANGE DOCTORS NOW.
But also with new doctors: bring a friend! Bring a friend to keep you company! Bring your fightiest fiercest friend as you interview new doctors because you shouldn't have to take any shit until you find that awesome doctor who is going to be lifechanging for you.
posted by corb at 7:05 AM on October 21
Before switching doctors I got SO much judgey mcjudgepants from asshats as a fat lady and it made me feel SO bad and none of my conditions got taken care of. Then someone else told me I could just...change.
Now I have a great primary care doctor and it is LIFECHANGING. There is zero judgment and actually most of the time she doesn't talk to me at all about my weight - like, sometimes she does but it's because I initiate those conversations and we're working on non-bariatric measures, and that's after like seven years of being treated by her. I have straight up LOST meds and she's just shrugged and prescribed more. And she has been so, so gentle even when I've straight up freaked myself out by googling stuff off webmd and came in with ludicrous stuff I thought I had. It's gotten to the point where I literally go to her first if I think anything is going on. And I'm in great health compared to where I used to be! And trusting what she told me about my body let me actually trust what she told me would be the warning signs of needing to go to the hospital immediately, and I got a necessary emergency surgery recently. So like - this stuff matters!
CHANGE DOCTORS NOW.
But also with new doctors: bring a friend! Bring a friend to keep you company! Bring your fightiest fiercest friend as you interview new doctors because you shouldn't have to take any shit until you find that awesome doctor who is going to be lifechanging for you.
posted by corb at 7:05 AM on October 21
Yes, if there is any way to switch doctors, do that. Even though new doctors are anxiety provoking, your current one is SO bad that it's worth doing. (And to be clear, I am also somewhat doctor avoidant because of how many doctors handle with issues, but your doctor sounds so much worse that even any of the bad ones I've had would be an improvement.)
But short term, yes, if you have to get through one more appointment with this doctor to get your meds refilled, bring a friend. Schedule early so you won't have to wait long and won't have all day to dread. Take the rest of the day off and plan something nice to look forward to. You can do this!
posted by Stacey at 7:14 AM on October 21
But short term, yes, if you have to get through one more appointment with this doctor to get your meds refilled, bring a friend. Schedule early so you won't have to wait long and won't have all day to dread. Take the rest of the day off and plan something nice to look forward to. You can do this!
posted by Stacey at 7:14 AM on October 21
They are not all like that! I used to go to a practice with 2 doctors, and one was like your current GP. When the GP I liked (the other one) retired, I took that as a cue to switch practices and it is like night and day.
Good things about my current practice: it's big, is a training practice, is attached to a university, and has its own pharmacy attached. I have one GP that I consider to be "mine" and I see her for non-urgent stuff as there's usually quite a wait for appointments with her. But I'd be happy to see any of the others in an emergency and I have had weight lectures and yelling from NONE of them.
So I am another person advising you to switch. It might be a bit of administrative hassle but it will be so, so worth it.
posted by altolinguistic at 7:29 AM on October 21
Good things about my current practice: it's big, is a training practice, is attached to a university, and has its own pharmacy attached. I have one GP that I consider to be "mine" and I see her for non-urgent stuff as there's usually quite a wait for appointments with her. But I'd be happy to see any of the others in an emergency and I have had weight lectures and yelling from NONE of them.
So I am another person advising you to switch. It might be a bit of administrative hassle but it will be so, so worth it.
posted by altolinguistic at 7:29 AM on October 21
This doctor's behavior is a barrier to your obtaining health care, the literal exact opposite of what she's supposed to be! You are not a baby for not wanting to subject yourself to this degrading treatment! While doctors' expertise should be respected, they are not minor gods sitting up above us with the right to judge us. You absolutely should change providers if you can. Having a doctor that listens to you and works with you cooperatively to address your issues is priceless.
Here is the page about how to complain about care received at an NHS service. The comments about mental health were particularly indefensible. You may or may not feel up to this, but I have noticed that sometimes doctors get into the mode of treating their patients as if they were all downtrodden supplicants--a sharp reminder that some of them have social capital and expect better treatment can have more effect than you might expect.
posted by praemunire at 8:19 AM on October 21
Here is the page about how to complain about care received at an NHS service. The comments about mental health were particularly indefensible. You may or may not feel up to this, but I have noticed that sometimes doctors get into the mode of treating their patients as if they were all downtrodden supplicants--a sharp reminder that some of them have social capital and expect better treatment can have more effect than you might expect.
posted by praemunire at 8:19 AM on October 21
For more information about fatphobia in the medical profession, including toolkits with phrases to use to combat shitty doctor behavior, check out the Weight and Healthcare substack by Ragen Chastain.
posted by bluloo at 9:38 AM on October 21
posted by bluloo at 9:38 AM on October 21
You might find it useful to find a Women's Health Center at a university and find a doctor associated with the research center rather than trying your luck finding an empathic doctor by random appointment. I hope you find a good health care provider that gives you the medical care you deserve.
posted by effluvia at 9:53 AM on October 21
posted by effluvia at 9:53 AM on October 21
Loving all the advice to find a new GP (but I don’t understand your country’s system so I will not add to it). But I really want to amplify the voices reminding you that you are not a baby. I only know you on the internet, of course, but here you are a competent person who has asked thoughtful questions about some very difficult, not at all juvenile things and who has provided reasoned and compassionate advice to a lot of other people. Even if it was meant in a lighthearted/jokey way (so hard to tell, especially across an ocean), it hurt my heart to see you turn the abuse you have received back on yourself!
posted by eirias at 10:25 AM on October 21
posted by eirias at 10:25 AM on October 21
I'll echo the advice to find a new GP if at all possible, and definitely bring a friend/loved one to your appointments for support.
I also want to add that you have experienced dehumanizing treatment from this GP. It makes sense that you have become conditioned to be anxious and miserable around appointments because you know you're in for some abuse. (I know "dehumanizing" and "abuse" may seem like strong words for someone being mean and unprofessional, but let's be clear: a doctor shaming you for running out of medication, accusing you of lying, and telling you other patients are more deserving of care IS engaging in dehumanizing and abusive behavior because of the power dynamic. Your GP is preventing you from accessing dignified, appropriate, and humane care.) If you have any interest in seeing a therapist about this topic, that would be reasonable. Since you mentioned feeling like a "baby" I wanted to offer the perspective that you might not be letting yourself take your pain as seriously as you deserve to. You have had some really awful experiences that have impacted your ability to function--not because you've failed, but because you've been failed by your GP. It would be reasonable to get some extra support in processing past experiences and developing new skills and strategies for working with medical providers in the future. I'd recommend searching for "HAES-aligned therapist [CITY]," or going through a directory like this one for intuitive eating professionals. You do not need to be all-in with health at every size (HAES) or intuitive eating, but looking for a therapist who works within those frameworks will help you to find someone familiar with the types of mistreatment people in larger bodies experience in medical settings.
posted by theotherdurassister at 11:34 AM on October 21
I also want to add that you have experienced dehumanizing treatment from this GP. It makes sense that you have become conditioned to be anxious and miserable around appointments because you know you're in for some abuse. (I know "dehumanizing" and "abuse" may seem like strong words for someone being mean and unprofessional, but let's be clear: a doctor shaming you for running out of medication, accusing you of lying, and telling you other patients are more deserving of care IS engaging in dehumanizing and abusive behavior because of the power dynamic. Your GP is preventing you from accessing dignified, appropriate, and humane care.) If you have any interest in seeing a therapist about this topic, that would be reasonable. Since you mentioned feeling like a "baby" I wanted to offer the perspective that you might not be letting yourself take your pain as seriously as you deserve to. You have had some really awful experiences that have impacted your ability to function--not because you've failed, but because you've been failed by your GP. It would be reasonable to get some extra support in processing past experiences and developing new skills and strategies for working with medical providers in the future. I'd recommend searching for "HAES-aligned therapist [CITY]," or going through a directory like this one for intuitive eating professionals. You do not need to be all-in with health at every size (HAES) or intuitive eating, but looking for a therapist who works within those frameworks will help you to find someone familiar with the types of mistreatment people in larger bodies experience in medical settings.
posted by theotherdurassister at 11:34 AM on October 21
If you are hesitant to bring a friend, keep in mind that chances are high at least one friend or family member would absolutely love the chance to help you out in this way. I’ve been that person and it was wonderful. For one thing I got to use my natural inclination to snap back at assholes for good. But most importantly I finally got to help my friend, who I’d watched suffer quietly for years. It sucks knowing someone you love is struggling and not being able to do anything about it. This is a direct, immediate, and finite way to help. A golden opportunity.
And of course you should switch GPs as soon as you can. I don’t know how it works where you are, but two suggestions to utilize if possible: If there are listings somewhere with pictures, choose a fat doctor. It may seem silly to choose based on appearance but in the case of weight it really helps for a doctor to have direct experience with their body being medicalized in the same way as their patients’. The second thing is to ask a nurse for recommendations. The person who shows you to your exam room and does intake stuff, if you feel okay with them, ask them for GP recommendations. Say that you’re anxious and have had very bad experiences with doctors and are looking for a better fit. Nurses know everything. If the practice has multiple doctors they may be able to switch you to a better one for you at the same location, or suggest nearby doctors they have heard about from patients, or ones they’ve worked with previously.
posted by Mizu at 12:51 PM on October 21
And of course you should switch GPs as soon as you can. I don’t know how it works where you are, but two suggestions to utilize if possible: If there are listings somewhere with pictures, choose a fat doctor. It may seem silly to choose based on appearance but in the case of weight it really helps for a doctor to have direct experience with their body being medicalized in the same way as their patients’. The second thing is to ask a nurse for recommendations. The person who shows you to your exam room and does intake stuff, if you feel okay with them, ask them for GP recommendations. Say that you’re anxious and have had very bad experiences with doctors and are looking for a better fit. Nurses know everything. If the practice has multiple doctors they may be able to switch you to a better one for you at the same location, or suggest nearby doctors they have heard about from patients, or ones they’ve worked with previously.
posted by Mizu at 12:51 PM on October 21
I just wanted to give you this clip of Dr. Guess from Imperial College London, who works with people's glucose levels and diet so you can see a sample of a very empathic research doctor that works with patients' individual preferences and medications. I cued the clip to a discussion of anxiety so you can get a sample of her approach. I hope you find it useful. Dr. Guess, Nutrition Made Simple, Gil Carvalho
posted by effluvia at 1:58 PM on October 21
posted by effluvia at 1:58 PM on October 21
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posted by seanmpuckett at 5:24 AM on October 21