GP receptionist

pinkichiban

I seem to be on this vent forum all the time these days!

I am a Nursing student and am doing an individual research project. I have some questionnaires (5 simple yes/no questions) which I was hoping my local GP surgery would help with. Could I get the receptionist just to pop then into the GP's box? She was so obstructive and obnoxious. I appreciate that GP's are busy and may not have had the time or inclination to help, but surely they can make their own mind up? Maybe I am being unreasonable in expecting other health professionals to help a student out?

PinkLipgloss

I understand your frustration however the poor woman was probably seriously harassed dealing with an never-ending stream of telephone calls demanding appointments asap as well as patients entering/leaving the surgery (attending appointments, making follow up appointments, collecting prescriptions etc).

I definitely don't envy her!

Murtle

pinkichiban, sorry to hear that however my experience of receptionists in the last Dr's surgery I went to, that's how they treated their patients too. My new one they are lovely so not all receptionists are like that but some do think they are the gate keeper to the Dr but have misplaced the key somewhere.

Good luck
xx

pinkichiban

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

I understand your frustration however the poor woman was probably seriously harassed dealing with an never-ending stream of telephone calls demanding appointments asap as well as patients entering/leaving the surgery (attending appointments, making follow up appointments, collecting prescriptions etc).

I definitely don't envy her!

It was soooo quiet, no phones going. I know that does not mean it wasn't a busy afternoon. I have to add I previously worked as a GP receptionist for nearly 10 years, I think it was how she spoke to me, like I was dirt on her shoe. Obviously next time, if there is a next time, I shall avoid her like the plague! I am venting now, but was completely polite and did not get vexed with her, just left feeling totally perplexed.

trumpton

I would hand them in at the reception, in individually addressed envelopes, with an sae. She will be duty bound to pass them on if they are marked private and confidential. I agree, though, some of these women seem to think that just because they work in a doctors surgery they are above everyone else.

pinkichiban

trumpton wrote: »

I would hand them in at the reception, in individually addressed envelopes, with an sae. She will be duty bound to pass them on if they are marked private and confidential. I agree, though, some of these women seem to think that just because they work in a doctors surgery they are above everyone else.

A great idea, only on students money, at 46p per stamp :eek:

aliasojo

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

I understand your frustration however the poor woman was probably seriously harassed dealing with an never-ending stream of telephone calls demanding appointments asap as well as patients entering/leaving the surgery (attending appointments, making follow up appointments, collecting prescriptions etc).

Nah, if she's anything like the harridan at our practice, then she's just being a biatch for the sake of it. :rotfl:It seems to be a requirement.

VfM4meplse

pinkichiban wrote: »

I appreciate that GP's are busy and may not have had the time or inclination to help, but surely they can make their own mind up?

I take your point - of course it's not for practice staff to withold requests from GPs, but it is their job to prioritise the GPs workload. What you will find is that GPs are so overloaded with work they will only do what they have to on the time available, this is unlikely to include anything that they are not paid to do unless they are particularly sympathetic.

Personally I never take the time to complete academic surveys etc unless the student has taken the trouble to confirm prior ethics committee approval.

Errata

Sorry you thought she was being obstructive and obnoxious, she was actually being helpful as the GP's would have prioritised your questionairres to the bottom of their reading pile and might get around to completing them in about 20 years time.

George_Michael

What you will find is that GPs are so overloaded with work they will only do what they have to on the time available

Well if the GPs at my local practice worked more than 4 days per week each (arriving at the surgery at 8:30, and leaving at 4:30), they might just have a bit more time available to see paitents.
And no, there are no evening or weekend available there.

After all, it's not as if they are underpaid.

Salaried GPs employed directly by PCTs earn between £53,781 to £81,158, dependent on, among other factors, length of service and experience.

And gor better examples, do a google job search for "salaried GP" appointments. £90K to £100k isn't uncommon.

Philippa36

Speaking as a medical secretary who works in a GP surgery - it's very difficult to deal with both patient's requests and GP's do's and don'ts! They don't like doing anything above and beyond what they see as their role. (The best people to get are the GP registrars!)

Although I agree with Trumpton above , if you put the questionnaires into envelopes and drop them into the surgery then usually they will make their way to the GPs. The other option is to ring back at a different time and hope you get a more helpful receptionist but you still need to prepare yourself for a no, as no matter how helpful the receptionist - GPs still won't do anything they don't want to!