Do You Have A Rapport With Your GP

@wolfie34 (26771)
United Kingdom
June 1, 2007 4:14pm CST
I thought I did, that was until I found out some disturbing information which has really upset me no end. I thought she was really nice, friendly and very helpful and I've never had cause to query this. Whenever I go to my GP practice I ALWAYS choose to see her I thought I had a rapport, but sadly now the illusion is shattered. It's a vicious circle because I was diagnozed with severe depression in the past it's on my records and it is STOPPING me from getting work because I have to state this on application forms and at interviews. So I asked for a copy of all my GP notes to see what they have on me and I was devastated to read some of the comments that my GP had written about me They are not enought to seek legal advice on but now I feel that I can't trust her or feel comfortable with her I have an appointment with her on Tuesday and I am wondering whether I should have it out with her or not? Please please I need advice on this, should I confront her about what she has said about me or should I refuse to see her again and see another GP in the practice. I'm not having a good day I'm afraid :0***(
7 people like this
20 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
1 Jun 07
Well I have to be honest Wolfie, yes I would have it out with her and make sure you tell her that she has broken the Trust in you as well My previous GP seemed to be ok but now you saying this I have never seen what she has written, maybe they all just come across as nice and understanding but behind our Backs they talk different Well they are ok Wolfie they are healthy and able to work so why bother with People like you and me who have problems and Illnesses Hugs x
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
2 Jun 07
What do they say, they love the pay but the patients are a problem and a hassle, without them their job would be perfect LOL!
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
2 Jun 07
What do they say, they love the pay but the patients are a problem and a hassle, without them their job would be perfect LOL!
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Jun 07
Yes Wolfie I agree with you
@mummymo (23706)
1 Jun 07
oh honey you are having a bad daymy friend aren't you! I think you should raise the subject and ask her why she had written these things - you do not have to be argumentative (I know you won't) but you do have the right to an explanation from her and I do not think that you will be able to trust another GP either until you have the answers from this one! I think I have a fantastic rapport with my gp and I always see him but who knows what he is writing about me? I think I will remain hopeful in ignorance! xxx
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
1 Jun 07
Looking back I wish I was in ignorance, sometimes it's the best way, especially when you are as sensitive as me, I was railroaded into it and I thought it would help in fact it's made things a hundred times worse, before today I was in blissful ignorance, now I just feel let down AGAIN
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Is a GP a general practitioner/? Sorry but since i haven't seen a doctor in a few years (no health insurance) i am not sure.
1 person likes this
@patootie (3592)
1 Jun 07
I think you should carry on and see her .. take a copy of the notes with you .. and ask her to explain why she wrote some of the things .. don't forget though that medical jargon always makes things seem worse than they really are .. If it was me I would explain to her that some of her comments were stopping me from getting a much needed job .. and that you are not depressed now so could she re-evaluate her comments .. I'm sorry this is all happening one thing on top of another .. any time you need a friendly chat just call me .. talk about the weather, horse racing .. anything you fancy ..
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
1 Jun 07
Anything I fancy? LOL! Thanks my friend, means a lot x
@rosie_123 (6113)
1 Jun 07
Well if you don't feel comfortable with her, then best to see someone else. If it is a Group Practice, then you can ask to see anyone there without giving a reason, and if you are really not happy with that Practice as a whole, then by law here in the UK, you can ask to have your records transferred to another Practice and don't have to explain why you wish to do this. I personally don't see the point of "having it out wth hr" - confrontation just causes stress, unhappiness and bitterness, and achieves noting in my opinion. But do see someone else if it worries you that much. As for whether I have a good rapport with my GP - well I don't go to Doctors very often, - but we get on well enough I guess. I used to have a wonderful, old-fashioned family Doctor who cared for my parents, and is now, of course, retired, but his replacement gets on with me OK! He knows if I go to him it is for something serious, and I only go when I really need to, so we understand each other well enough!
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
1 Jun 07
I used to have a wonderful doctor who couldn't do enough for me, he was truly a lovely man, but I moved out of the area he was still keen to see me and would have ignored the rules but my ex 'dobbed' me in and I had no alternative but to stop seeing him.
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Wolfie of course you have to go and talk to her about this. I would not confront, rather make notes and stick to them, The first question would be, what makes you say (what ever it was that she said). I would tell her that you are very upset with her putting this in a public record. Yes you potential employers are entitled to know that you are taking medication for depression, That being said if it is so sever then I would apply for disability as depression is a disability. Any how back to your doctor, It may be that she hasn't discussed her findings with you and I would have called her on that. How can you get better if you are not up to snuff about all that is wrong with you. If she has no basis for what she has written then she needs to be replaced. I know one Doctor I saw when I was trying to get my diagnosis told me that he believed I was faking all the problems and there wasn't a dam thing wrong with, me. I personally took in my MRI and said maybe you need to do a bit better job your self. and walked out.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
1 Jun 07
Yes I will write out some notes, the way I feel at the moment I feel like giving her a piece of my mind, that'll make interesting reading on my notes NOT!
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
2 Jun 07
Wolfie I may have been wrong about disclosing that you are taking medication for depression, but if i were hiring some one who would be looking after children I would have to have an all clear from their medical practitioner, In other words are you fit to do the job? Can you deal with the stress that child care can bring? This was not meant as a shot and the reason why I thought about notes was so that you would not get side tracked, it was only advise and my opinion, feel free to totally disregard as you see fit.
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
2 Jun 07
I think that you should tell her what you posted here, all of your feelings. I really do not agree with what was done, i do not think that you should have seen the report. There are things that should be only to professional eyes, and it did not do you any good looking at it. About the job, i really do think that you should try and get a job without mentioning that you were sick, you are now treating your problems, and people are prejudice. What do you think?
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
2 Jun 07
Very true, the only thing I come unstuck with how I explain why I left my last job (before college) as you have to give employment history and why you left. I could lie but if the company/council find out then it could penalize my job. This has certainly given me a banquet let alone food for thought, I have become a very suspicious and cynical person, I don't want to be that way but it seems you have to be in this evil world.
• India
2 Jun 07
I think its very hard to answer this......Such matters should be dealt carefully
@lols189 (4742)
12 Aug 07
i would confront her if i was you wolfie. she should always tell you what she is writing down about you. i would suggest you change your doctor
@aprilgrl (4460)
• United States
2 Jun 07
It's really hard to trust anybody these days. So my advice is to talk to her about how you are feeling right now and take notes so you won't forget. If it doesn't work out then look for another doctor. I am so sorry that you are having a very bad day my friend. Take care and wish you the best of luck in talking to her about how you are feeling after what she said about you hope she will tell you why.
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I wish i was there to help you Wolfie. I would go with you and help you ask the right questions. I'm sorry you didn't like what she said. None of us like to hear bad stuff about ourselves. Take a step back. Look at what is true about you and the things you don't think are true or don't like. Ask. Tell her you are feeling uncomfortable with some of the things she said and just ask her why she said them. Then maybe discuss how you can work it out so you both can be ok with it. I need to buy you some up candy lol Makes you feel good about you. xxxx
• Malaysia
2 Jun 07
Wolfie, I would say to confront her on the the notes that made u feel uncomfortable. I think if u turn to another GP, the doubts that disturbs that corrently hunting may still shadowing you. Why not clear it out, get answer and then make a better decision? You deserve an explaination.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
2 Jun 07
It's important that patients be able to trust their doctors. So having said that, I think you should definitely approach your doctor with your concerns about what was said in your records. If she can at least explain why, then perhaps you can work things out with her. If not, take control of the situation and ask around for a referral to another doctor. Frankly, I don't ever see my own GP, but instead only see his nurse practitioner. She's an absolute doll and she actually knows more than he does about certain things.
• Canada
2 Jun 07
I feel your pain and I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I thought I had a good rapport with my GP, but no more. He does not really listen to me. Several years ago I had whooping cough syndrome. After going to him several times with this several cough, I finally asked him - what about whooping cough, taking internet diagnostic info! What a waste of time and money! BTW - I did not realize depression was a disability. Is this just American or is it in BC Canada too? Anyone?
@herrbaggs (1308)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Just wait till you see how it messes with your ability to get health insurance and jacks up the premiums if you can get any insurance at all at all.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jun 07
I know it is hard, it is always hard to confront those that have said on or done something wrong, but you need to do it, you need to find out and have those records reflect the truth, especially if it depends on you finding employment. Good Luck
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
If you're not comfortable with her, I would see someone else. The way I see it, you are the customer, and have the right to feel good about what she is doing for you. People think that doctors have some sort of "Godly" attributes, but, they are human beings too, and as you know we don't always get along with each other. I don't think you have any recourse to sue over confidential doctors' notes. I would just see another doctor if I were you.
@Naomi17 (624)
2 Jun 07
I think doctors tend to often input the wrong information my doctor actually put in my sons notes there was a mental health issue in my family and it goes back a long way-no theres not on my husbands side there are lots of abnormaliities in the family-no none My son actually sufferes from Retinititis pygmentosa a desease of the eyes which will lead to blindness and has become depressed he does have a brain when i quiered it he appeared embarassed and said i must have you muddled up with someone else well it's not good enough. I went in quite calm and pointed out the mistakes i think you need to point out the past and you are ready to work and you would like your notes amended, working will help your low esteem and you have lost your trust in her reading her comments. Be honest this is your opportunity to start taking control.
@fizzytom (752)
• Maribor, Slovenia
2 Jun 07
It certainly sounds like what your doctor has said about you is just making you feel even worse. I think you need to explain to your doctor the effect her report is having in your attempts to find work. Surely it is the job of your doctor to help your overcome your barriers to finding work - whether that is by referring you to other sources of help or by re-evaluating and reviewing her comments.
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Wolfie, Having it out with her willnot really benefit you much I am afraid...plus, that too will end up in her notes and reflect badly upon you, my friend. If as you say, your confidence in her is shattered...then I think you must seek another GP...what choice do you have?? You are no longer confortable with her and will probably always feel this way.. I am sorry that this has happened to you... I know that you will do whatever you decide is the best thing...and I wish you athe best in dealing with this hurtful situation....
• United States
1 Jun 07
If you can no longer trust her, then you won't be able to get help from her. You need to see her until you find someone else who you can trust. Another option is to talk to her about your feelings of mistrust, and see if there's a way to work through it.