I was asked to write a blog for Pulse, unfortunately due to the busy day I submitted it late. Here it is anyway:
After a hectic meeting with district nurses, community matron team, care coordinator and local practice team discussing complex patients, risk registers and end of life care; I then had a busy on-call followed by my afternoon clinic of complex multi-morbid patients, sniffly children, patients with clear medical needs and a mountain of admin from all the above.
In addition I managed a scarce few minutes to say goodbye to my recent GP trainee who over the past four months has developed from a hospital orientated clinician, into the starting block of a truly excellent and enthusiastic GP. Her training reminded me about one of the key issues in current primary care.
Teaching about self-management is a growing issue. Patients want reassurance and told everything will be fine when most of the time they know it will be. Today I saw a patient with a clear history of a self-limiting condition reinforced this fact. He was worried it had not improved after a few hours and wanted to see a doctor. Confirmation of the history and brief inspection allowed me to offer reassurance and direct to the local pharmacist for any future intervention not needed now. What was striking was the patients relative had already told him what the problem was, but that it had not improved in a couple of hours (yes hours) meant the patient felt he needed a medical opinion.
I feel our chaotic society has forgotten that time can sometimes be the only medicine needed. Expectations that a drug or intervention will make a patient better instantly are driving high attendances across the board in healthcare both in GP and hospitals.
It is why the patient came above. The answer: communication, education and backing primary care. #1careRevolution.