I am currently on my GP placement in my FY2 year. It’s fun. I like GP. I like the patient interaction, independence and doing lots of diagnosing…
And of course, I like the entertainment. Here is a summary transcript of a consultation I had yesterday…
| Doctor | Good Morning! How can I help you today? |
| Patient | [17 year old boy] I’ve been having some problems with my stomach… |
| Doctor | Ah OK, do you want to tell me a bit more about it? |
| Patient | I’ve been getting some diarrhoea and vomiting. It usually lasts for a one or two days, then gets better again. I get stomach pains and headaches too, and I feel really generally unwell with it. |
| Doctor | How long has it been happening for? |
| Patient | For a few months now. It seems to be getting worse |
| Doctor | When was the last time it happened? |
| Patient | A few days ago. I’m better again now. |
| Doctor | Is there anything that seems to bring it on? |
| Patient | Hmm I don’t think so. It seems random. It does tend to happen on weekends though. |
| Doctor | Do you do anything different at weekends to during the week? |
| Patient | Not really. I sometimes go out or go to a party. |
| Doctor | Do you drink much at these parties? |
| Patient | Not really. Not much |
| Doctor | How much is not much? |
| Patient | Ah, not much. I’m not really a big drinker. |
| Doctor | How much is not much? |
| Patient | Well I used to drink a lot more. Maybe like a bottle of vodka and ten pints of beer. |
| Doctor | Ah ok. You drink a bottle of vodka and ten pints of beer and the next day you feel awful and vomit everywhere? |
| Patient | Yes. Is it serious? |
| Doctor | No. Its hangovers. |
[Image: from flickr – CC license]
