We all have been there! Probably it is not your first time scheduling an appointment with your best private GP in London. Unfortunately, not many people understand how their GP’s surgery works and how to get the best out of it.
You could really use a little dash of insider know-how before you book an appointment the next time. So, without further ado, let us get straight into the world of medical appointments and how GPs work.
Your London private GP would like to offer longer times
It is common knowledge that GPs do not give more than 10 minutes for an appointment. While this is apparently not a long time, the time has increased over the last few decades from a typical of 7.5 minutes per appointment.
You may not realize that oftentimes, GPs can offer longer appointment times. However, there should be a balance between how many daily appointments they have and the length of each and every appointment.
First you need to work out how long your appointment slot is going to be. If you sense that you are going to need more than 10 minutes of your GP’s time. Be sure to ask reception for a longer slot.
Got late? You may have missed the appointment
You may have missed your slot of private GP appointment in London, if you arrive late. While you may think of it as an unfair act of cruelty, what you do not realize is that the next patient is due now. Why do they have to bear the consequences of you being late? After all, they have arrived on time and they deserve to see their GP on time too. So, be a little realistic.
Your GP cannot read your mind – speak out aloud
You may assume your GP will know what you are worried about, which problems are your priority or what your fears are. While a good doctor will learn all these with you, being up front about your problems makes sense.
Speak your heart out. Say what is bothering you. What you are suspecting. Let your GP know if you have a family history of a certain rare disease. It pays to tell anything and everything about your worries, even if it is a little one.
Your GP has no time for a long list
Say you only have 10 minutes for your appointment. Now imagine if you end up pulling out a list of 5 different issues you are worried about. This is going to give your GP a hard time. While writing down your problem in advance is helpful, be sure to prioritize what you want from that meeting.
You are going to see a specialist, yes, your GP is one
No doubt that your GP had spent a good 5 years in training after completing medical school. They specialize in their field and qualified to take care of your health issues. You cannot deny that.
Your GP will suggest you the best – rely on him or her
If your doctor does not prescribe you anything or does not investigate you, do not think otherwise. After all, they want the best for you and they understand better than you. It is just that they do not feel you need any medication or a referral for the time being.
Your doctor knows what keeps you healthy, he will investigate when it is appropriate, or treat when you need treatment. If you think that you need an X-ray, mention the same but do not expect your doctor to prescribe you any (just because you think so) if there is no need for that.
Your GP might play golf, but that does not affect your treatment
GPs are busier than you may think. They see a good number of patients during morning surgery, make multiple visits. Then they again see a couple more patients in the afternoon. Apart from these, there would be calls, paperwork and a lot more.
The waiting room may seem empty, but that does not mean that the GPs are playing golf. If you are awaiting tests results, we understand it is stressful for you. Below are the things you want to consider:
- If a hospital consultant has arranged you for a test, make sure you ask him or her for the result.
- If your GP arranged the test, make sure you know how and when you should expect to get the results. Will they call you, or should you call?
- Speaking to the receptionist is the way to go. Do not hesitate to explain your concern and how to go about it.
The reception staff know what they are doing – your GP trust them
The receptionist’s job is to deal with patients’ enquiries, appointment bookings and so on. They ensure everything is going as per the plan. While they might not got any medical training, they have a good knowledge of the services of your GP and what services are on offer.
You can entrust them with a problem you may have. Every faculty working in the surgery remains under the same confidentiality clauses. So, you can have peace of mind knowing that the receptionist is not going to talking about your problems with other. Your information is completely safe.
Try to be as friendly as you can with the receptionist while making an enquiry. If you think they are trying to be difficult, make sure you think again. They are doing their job – and their job is to help patients like you. If you are stressed, try to keep calm. Let them do their job and be polite.
That is all you need to know. As with everything in life, it pays to know how things work. The better you know, the easier it becomes for you to navigate the system. We hope these insider knowledge and tips have been helpful to you. So, the next time you are going to book a private GP appointment in London, be sure to keep these little things in mind.
