Enlightened GP practice!

[oscarandchloe]

The lovely GP who diagnosed my GCA so quickly back in 2019, left the practice sometime during the pandemic. I never knew as all that happened over the past year was that I sent in my Pred prescription and it went under her name. Dealing with my hip problems, I found out that I had been allocated another GP and I went to see her last Friday in the spirit of this is really me interviewing her, and if she seems iffy in her managing PMR I shall ask for another. Well! What a surprise! She asked if I minded having a medical student in on the consultation. Of course not, best way to learn. We discussed the hip (I already have a consultation with a specialist booked so not much to say there) and then moved onto PMR, inviting the student to ask me questions about it, asked him about the side effects of Pred (had to restrain myself from joining in), asked what physical signs could indicate PMR, what the signs of GCA are (dying to answer!) I was in medical Heaven. Anyhow, I was then asked if I would consider talking to other med. students about it, as I had been so clear and knowledgable (thank you Forum and Kate Gilbert). I now have an invitation to apply for 'Patients as Teachers in the Rycote Practice' in which Oxford medical students spend six weeks attached to the practice. They will 'train you and buddy you with an existing patient teacher to ease you in gently'. Students first act as GP taking a history and examination, then you give a 40 minute tutorial on an aspect of your condition. I was so Happy! A chance to tell the up and coming medics what we have, how we feel, how it affects our lives. I shall fly our flag and wave it very vigorously! For any of you who feel this is rather a big task, I do need to say I am an ex-university lecturer and have worked within the medical field before. I nearly embraced my new GP.

[Kendrew]

Hi there.I'd just like to say what a fabulous opportunity you have to 'sing our song'! If only many more of us could be granted the same opportunity! Good luck.

[123-go]

Now that's what I call a turn up for the books! I know you'll do us proud. I'd love to be a fly on the wall!

[Mojobumble]

How fabulous is that. Not only do you have the opportunity to educate up and coming students, it must also make you feel as if your not one of the forgotten. I am so disheartened about these illnesses. If I sit in front of one more "blank" expression I will give up.

I have just found a Rheummy to see at the end of the month. My first in 12 months apart from 1 no show (him not me), one trainee GP (I was expecting to see a Rheummy) and 2 cancellations. I'm so blxxdy excited 😆.

Best of luck and keep us informed.

[MrsNails]

Great!

[SnazzyD]

Sometimes we do get posts that prove medical unicorns do exist!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is absolutely terrific! There was a request at one point a few years ago looking for people to do something similar - I have a couple of friends who do it for their local medical schools. Expert patients have such a role to play but older HCPs are often resistant to the idea that patients could know anything about their conditions. I am very privileged here - multiple doctors who treat me as an equal. The previous medical director used to put me at the last appointment - we often sat for over and hour and I left with printouts of various research papers! The best compliment he paid me was to say how much he enjoyed talking to a patient who knew so much about her illness.

[oscarandchloe in reply to PMRpro]

And you help us to understand our illness -the Forum is my friend. I shall certainly make those future medics familiar with it. In the coming reality of hands-off /video appointments with our GPs they can't be sniffy about patients creating their own systems of informed self-help.

[jinasc]

When we started up in 2007 and launched the DVD and Booklet in May 2008. We were asked to go to three hospitals and talk to trainee doctors. We took our booklet and DVD and gave them a freebie. the sessions lasted about an hour and a half. It only stopped when we closed down.

Just patients with PMR and/or GCA .

[AnniesRyder5]

👍😀

[borednow]

I need your GP - thinking of moving .

[oscarandchloe in reply to borednow]

We moved here 4 years ago and asked around, but even so it was luck. Surgery was fantastic organising the first Covid jab, had it just after that Xmas.

[Hidden]

All I can say is 'Amazing' you go for it. W hat a brilliant opportunity to educate on these awful diseases. Keep us updated.

[SheffieldJane]

What a positive outcome all round. Really empowering, well done!

[winfong]

Sounds awesome! Where do I sign up? 😉

[Telian]

Fantastic - give it to them for us!!!

[Frewen1]

That's brilliant, well done.

[Koalajane]

So glad you are able to do this. Education is wonderful