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GOOD PATIENT: Mike Stone What patients want from their doctors BMJ 2003; 326: 1294 [Full text]

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They'll be less of this wish list from now on

Mark D Oliver   (14 June 2003)

Re-invent the wheel.

GEORGE QUITTNER   (16 June 2003)

They'll be less of this wish list from now on 14 June 2003
Mark D Oliver, GP principal ST18 0QT Send response to journal: Re: They'll be less of this wish list from now on	The Patients Association want more time with a doctor, more eye contact, the fostering of partnership,and state "patients want to get to see their doctor within a reasonable time; not weeks, but rather a few days, or, in the case of a person who is unwell, a few hours if possible". Since most people seeing a doctor are ill this equates to most contacts. At a time when GP recruitment and retention is teetering on the brink of an abyss and a new contract is coming which will make doctors spend more time entering consultation data onto a computer and divert them from the patients principal complaint into enquiries about smoking, alcohol, diet etc.. these wishes are a pipe dream. They could be provided if GPs followed dentists out of the NHS and determined their own professional priorities.Patients would have to invest to purchase the level of service we are told they want, as in dentistry. Smaller lists would allow more time but increase costs per patient.What is needed is amature approach from patient organisations and an end to the something for nothing culture. Competing interests:   A GP in the UK.
Re-invent the wheel. 16 June 2003
GEORGE QUITTNER, PRACTICE PRINCIPAL SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2088 Send response to journal: Re: Re-invent the wheel.	I spend as long as I wish with my patients. My patients book as long as they need with me (Some even book 1 hour) I make them happy...and this makes me professionally happy. I never touch filthy government money - and I would urge my colleagues in the UK to do likewise. Charge a resonable fee for your service. It works in all other walks of life. I see poor people for a discount and the government helps them with a rebate. Try it. You'll like it! DOCTOR GEORGE QUITTNER PRIVATE FAMILY PHYSICIAN 90 AVENUE ROAD, MOSMAN 2088, AUSTRALIA Competing interests:   None declared