If you have a nagging ache in your back that simply won’t go away or are dealing with the worst skin rash ever, who’s your person? There are lots of words that could be used to describe the name that’ll come up. Like kind, well-informed, resourceful, or patient. But we’ll just stick to one: GP. They remember when you used to be a rascal, know exactly what’s been going on in your life since the last appointment, and, most importantly, they don’t treat you as just another problem they can’t brush off. A&E should be for emergencies.
Not sure if this is a “small town” thing, but my friends and relatives stay with their doctors until retirement. When your relationship starts going south, there’s not much you can do but accept life on its own terms and walk away – break up is too strong of a word. Oh sure, you like your GP. But you’re ignoring the signs that things are falling apart because it’s easier to believe that it’s okay… until it’s not. No matter how hard it is, putting a stop to it may be the healthiest decision you’ve ever made.
You And Your GP Don’t Click
Trust matters. Without it, two people can’t be comfortable with each other, and the relationship won’t work out. You should be able to tell your GP things you would never ever think about sharing with anyone else (not even loved ones) – maybe you’re drinking too much, I don’t know. If you struggle to open up, you and your GP just aren’t a good match. They’re your doctor, not your friend, but you should feel like they care about your well-being, so at the very least, your GP should listen to what you have to say and respond promptly if you’re very sick.
Your Needs Aren’t The Same
If you want to have a baby, you should pay a visit to a doctor who can give you advice about lifestyle choices that could affect your chances of getting pregnant by depleting your egg supply. Not all GPs offer maternity care. It’s not that they don’t want to get involved, but doctors could use more training. If something goes wrong, your GP can’t jump in to fix the problem because they’re not the best qualified to help, and if you don’t get the right care on time, that can lead to serious complications that can involve your health – or the fetus’s health.
Communication Sometimes Feels Impossible
You’re upfront with your GP. You’re not the type of person who waits until the very end of the exam to let them know that there’s blood in your stool, even if you can’t help but feel embarrassed. Still no response. A couple of suggestions would be nice, but your doctor gives you the silent treatment. Yes, we know that GPs are all busy, but that’s not an excuse to skip taking care of patients, so if yours won’t listen to you, there’s no point in wasting your time with them. As cliché as it may sound, it’s the truth.
You might want to work on your skills, too. If you keep your doctor in the dark because you don’t communicate clearly, don’t be surprised when your treatment plan misses the mark, and it takes forever to recover. GPs can make mistakes. A good doctor will explain what happened and do whatever it takes to make things right. We’ve all been there, so don’t go too hard on them. Your GP is just working too much, so focus on what you can do to advocate for yourself at your next appointment to be sure you get the answers you need.
You Want A GP Who Has The Same Values As You Do
Feeling like you’re on the same team makes all the difference. You can be honest with your GP you’ve been looking online and ask for feedback on that information – and see if they happen to know any useful sites. You’re involved in the process from the very get-go. A few people we talked to admitted it was extremely frustrating to bring up their Google searches with their doctor. They feel judged. If this rings a bell, it could be a sign that it’s time to “fire” your GP and find one you feel comfortable talking to.
Your GP Isn’t There For You When You Need It The Most
Picture this: you go to your GP for your annual health check, and because you mentioned you’ve been waking up feeling tired every day, they run some blood tests. Everything comes back normal. So they decide to check for inflammatory markers. But a month later, your heart sinks when you find out that, in your insurer’s eyes, the test wasn’t considered necessary. It’s not your doctor’s job to write a letter to the insurance company, but they should have someone in the office to deal with such matters so patients get the care they deserve.
Your GP Doesn’t Respect Your Time
Sometimes, it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day. You get up in the wee hours of the morning to get the kids ready for school, even though you could use 5 more minutes, but you somehow manage to push through. If you need to go to the doctor, you have to take PTO because appointments run longer than expected. That’s the problem. If your GP runs late or seems rushed whenever you see them, I’m sorry to say, but they’re not giving you the care you need. You can make a complaint to the NHS.
TL;DR
It’s okay to split ways with your GP, and this realization might just save your life one day (seriously). If you’re grateful to your doctor for all they’ve done for you, you can send them a thank you card – name one moment that truly mattered, not just generic compliments like “Thank you for being patient.” Your records will be forwarded to the new practice for a small fee.
