Absence because of pet death

Uncertain

ILW wrote: »

The person would have been "diagnosed" by their doctor in a consultation that lasted around 10 to 15 minutes.

As opposed to being dismissed as a skiver by some unqualified person on internet who hasn't even seen them.

Fire_Fox

ILW wrote: »

The person would have been "diagnosed" by their doctor in a consultation that lasted around 10 to 15 minutes. A full examination would have taken weeks. NHS GPs do not have to time and will generally just sign off as the safe and easy option.

Why do you assume this is the patient's first presentation of 'stress related disorder'? Looking at the diagnostic criteria, signs and symptoms for depression, insomnia, state or trait anxiety what do you think is going to be achieved in weeks of examination? What do you suggest this 'examination' should consist of? How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, obesity, atopic eczema, diabetes, bacterial cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

ILW

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Looking at the diagnostic criteria for depression, insomnia, state or trait anxiety what do you think is going to be achieved in weeks of examination? What do you suggest this 'examination' should consist of? How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, atopic eczema, diabetes, urinary cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

My point is that even by a GP a diagnosis of depression is pretty hit and miss. A referral to a phsyciatrist would be required for any measure or certainty.

Fire_Fox

ILW wrote: »

My point is that even by a GP a diagnosis of depression is pretty hit and miss. A referral to a phsyciatrist would be required for any measure or certainty.

Your point based on what, how do you know it is hit and miss? Again looking at the diagnostic criteria for depression, insomnia, state or trait anxiety what do you think is going to be achieved in weeks of examination? What other diagnoses are there that might easily be confused with clinical depression, state and trait anxiety or insomnia? Have you ever had an assessment with your PCT mental health team? How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, atopic eczema, diabetes, urinary cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

Errata

Fire_Fox wrote: »

How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, obesity, atopic eczema, diabetes, bacterial cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

circa 7 minutes per disease in my experience

Uncertain

ILW wrote: »

My point is that even by a GP a diagnosis of depression is pretty hit and miss. A referral to a phsyciatrist would be required for any measure or certainty.

No, not really.

Obviously a specialist, in any field, will have a more detailed knowledge of that one area than a GP. However, what they won't necessarily have is anything like the same overview.

Also, as I have explained before, mental health is an area where GPs generally have a great deal of experience and training.

Another popular myth is that a GP is somehow a second class doctor. In fact, to become a fully qualified GP, takes just as many years training as becoming a Senior Registrar or a newly appointed Consultant. It is just that the GP has chosen to specialise in General Practice. Both the GP and the specialist will be members of the relevant Royal Colleges.

Now, just remind us of your medical training?

ILW

I am not medically trained, my sister has been a GP for nearly 30 years and is happy to admit that if a patient presents with around 5 classic symptoms, it is a virtually auto matic depression diagnosis.

Uncertain

ILW wrote: »

I am not medically trained, my sister has been a GP for nearly 30 years and is happy to admit that if a patient presents with around 5 classic symptoms, it is a virtually auto matic depression diagnosis.

So you have a pretty low impression of your sister then?

Fire_Fox

ILW wrote: »

I am not medically trained, my sister has been a GP for nearly 30 years and is happy to admit that if a patient presents with around 5 classic symptoms, it is a virtually auto matic depression diagnosis.

Why are you side stepping all the questions? How often does your sister think the current diagnostic criteria for clinical depression confers a miss when used correctly? What about the other stress related disorders? Has your sister considered extra training to update her knowledge in mental health? I have met a couple of excellent GPs who have done this.

Again looking at the diagnostic criteria for depression, insomnia, state or trait anxiety what do you think is going to be achieved in weeks of examination? What other diagnoses are there that might easily be confused with clinical depression, state and trait anxiety or insomnia? Have you ever had an assessment with your PCT mental health team? How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, atopic eczema, diabetes, urinary cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

ILW

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Why are you side stepping all the questions? How often does your sister think the current diagnostic criteria for clinical depression confers a miss when used correctly? What about the other stress related disorders? Has your sister considered extra training to update her knowledge in mental health? I have met a couple of excellent GPs who have done this.

Again looking at the diagnostic criteria for depression, insomnia, state or trait anxiety what do you think is going to be achieved in weeks of examination? What other diagnoses are there that might easily be confused with clinical depression, state and trait anxiety or insomnia? Have you ever had an assessment with your PCT mental health team? How many hours do you think a GP should spend diagnosing asthma, atopic eczema, diabetes, urinary cystitis, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia?

You are missing the point.
A doctor that diagnosed any of the above purely on what a patient told them would be considered incompetent.

At GP level depression is generally diagnosed in a 15 minute interview and even if a GP is suspicious of the patient they will generally go with it if that is what the patient believes or wishes. Serious cases will be referred.

The clever bit is deciding who need referral.

GPs are nowhere near infallible and are extremely limited by time and finances.