Diary of a Female GP tells you about 1 week in the life of a GP, my good friend Ellen. She worked hard as a female GP before her retirement. When you read her diary, it will be easy to see why she burnt out, as they call it.
Now a retired GP, she allowed me to re-write her diary and publish it and for that, I'm really grateful.
I'm also grateful to my beta-readers, Carol and Karen. Your suggestions and remarks were very valuable and have made the book a better one.
Below, you can see 2 photos, one of me holding a copy and one of my eldest holding a copy of the book.
Yesterday, I donated one of the copies to our local library. They seemed tickled pink to receive a brand new book from a local author. I hope the readers will like it. At least they appeared excited.
I would love you to buy the book, or get it for free on Kindle Unlimited and let me know what you think. Are GPs really lazy (as Theresa May appeared to suggest in January 2017) or are they quite hard-working, after all? I leave it to you to judge but know what I think.
You can find the book on Amazon: books2read.com/u/m0VOVM
And for those who are interested, here is a little excerpt of the book:
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My next patient is thirty-four-year-old Emily, who has come with
her partner. Emily has tried to conceive for the last eighteen months and not
been successful. Emily and Tony are now worried something might be wrong with
one of them and would like to find out more.
“I take it you are not using any contraception?” The problem
earlier this week has shown me not to take anything for granted.
Disbelief shows on their faces as their mouths open and eyes
widen, “Of course not, we’re not stupid.” I explain that it is always best to
first make sure of the basics.
Tony and Emily are both healthy individuals, no infections in the
area and Tony has not suffered mumps either.
After explaining it sometimes takes longer to get pregnant and the
fact they have not managed to so far does not necessarily mean anything is
wrong, we agree to get a few initial investigations set up.
“Let’s organise some blood tests for you, Emily and also a few
swabs to ensure you carry no infections.” Ensuring this is essential if we
would consider referral for their problem. I turn towards Tony, “And for you,
we need to arrange a sperm count.”
After filling the required forms and handing them to the couple, I
explain what they need to do and advise Emily and Tony to return after the
tests have been done for the results. At that time we can also decide if a
referral is needed.
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The consultation with Emily and Tony has taken a little longer
than the ten minutes set aside for it and it is now twenty-five past four. When
I call thirty-seven-year-old Ben in, I wonder what he has come for today.
Although Ben has never been officially diagnosed, I suspect his IQ is on the
lower end of normal. Ben has come to see us on a semi-regular basis with minor
problems, which to us are not seen as problems at all. To Ben they are major
and we always take care to treat him with respect and ensure he is taken
seriously. Even if we consider the problem non-existent.
Today he appears a little downcast. What will it be today? All
that was mentioned next to his name on the appointment screen was ‘personal
problem’.
“I’ve come about this problem before, but no one wants to help me
with it.”
When I look through Ben’s notes, I notice there are four recent
consultations, one with a locum two weeks ago, one with Ruth a month ago, and
consultations with both of my colleagues the month before that.
“So, what can I do for you today?” Most likely next to nothing if
he has come for the same reason.
“I can’t seem to grow any chest hair. That can’t be normal, can
it? What I want is something to help me grow hair on my chest.”
Yes, that was what I was afraid of. Ben has lifted his shirt up in
the meantime and shows me his chest, which has little hair on it, “Why do you
want to grow hair on your chest?”
Ben’s eyes open wide, “How can you ask that? It’s not very manly
to not have a hairy chest. Not having hair on my chest makes me less of a man.”
Patiently I explain that manliness has nothing to do with the
amount of hair someone has or hasn’t got. The success of my explanation is
doubtful, “So you are not going to help me either? I should have known, you’re
all the same.”
Even after I explain there is nothing available to help him with
this problem, he remains rather angry and eventually struts out of the door,
trying to slam it behind him. As the door is on a delayed closing spring, this
attempt is unsuccessful. Another unhappy customer.
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books2read.com/u/m0VOVM
Joni.
Enjoyable and enlightening read.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cover!
ReplyDeleteThis excerpt about 'Ben' brought back memories of my mum when she was in her nineties. Trivial things seemed to be major issues in her mind too, although it wasn't because she had a low IQ, it was because she had an anxiety problem. She actually expected her GP to come out to her because she had smelly wind. Yes, it does sound funny, but she thought it was a symptom of something serious. Another example of her unnecessary worrying was one time when my hubby and i planned to go away for a couple of days. Mum was then in her 70s and we did all her shopping and cleaning even though she wasn't physically disabled. She called me over to her house because she wanted me to make an appointment to see the doctor. When I asked what was wrong with her, she said she was alright, but she just wanted to make sure she wasn't going to be ill when we were away. I didn't know then it would be another ten years before we could take a break again. Oh, yes! i could write a book on that subject, lol.
ReplyDeleteIn my mid 70s myself now, I find great difficulty with the font size on your website, Joni. Is it possible to enlarge it? The share buttons are particularly small and difficult to find too. I have my laptop set to 110 magnification but this site still comes up small.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carole, I'll have a look.
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