To all Gp`s IT`S YOUR TURN

[Norrms]

WILL ALL “REAL” GP`s (Doctor`s) PLEASE STEP FORWARD
RE DEMENTIA

Trying to get the attention of Gp`s (Doctors) is like Herding Cats FACT!!
We have come so far my friends in the last ten years, make no mistake, so very far, and yet, “SOME” of the Gps, Doctors still close the doors on us, and before you (the Drs start) we are

ALL BUSY!! NOT JUST YOU !!!

So what do I mean??

I could mention lots of things but one I remember well is when a small dementia conference was held and it was all designed around Gp`s so they could attend and guess what ?? NOT A ONE TURNED UP !! The room was packed with professionals from the health service bus at for Gps ?? not a one !!

I have stood at many conferences since and asked how many GP`s are there? And SILENCE!! This has to stop!! We have dementia organisations around the UK asking to meet these GP`s and they are being told “Make an appointment with the Practice Manager, ERRR EXCUSE ME??

Its YOU, we want to see ITS YOU, we want to talk too, it’s YOU we want to hear from at Conferences!! Why do you see yourselves different from the rest? We have met so many people from the health service, from such hard-working nurses right up to the health secretary, and yet ?? From “SOME” Dr`s ? NOTHING
isn’t it about time you JOINED the TEAM?? About time you stepped forward and got involved in the fight against dementia! I have met in my nine years’ or so of having this disease only a handful of general practitioners who have stepped up to the mark, spoke at conferences or contacted us to say “HOW CAN WE HELP “”

Come and talk to us,

ITS YOUR TURN !!

(THOUGHTS PLEASE ALL )

Norrms Mc Namara
Diagnosed with dementia

 

[Bunpoots]

IT does seem a bit hit and miss with my dad's GPs. We were lucky that one of them was very good and recognised the signs of dad's dementia while we still hoping it was just normal forgetfulness. Even with the consultant I had to be very persistent to convince him that dad's meds were causing behavioural problems. So it seems that no-one really knows enough and it's all trial and error.

If only they were honest about that!

 

[Norrms]

Thank you

 

[Louise7]

I suppose to some extent it's down to what specific role you want GP's to play at the conferences. From experience of my Mum's GP he has a basic awareness/understanding of dementia but in terms of treatment he has - quite readily - admitted that it isn't his area of expertise and made a referral to the mental health team who are much more knowledgeable. If you had wanted him to speak at a conference then he probably wouldn't be the best person to do so due to lack of knowledge/expertise. I know that - at my and Mum's surgeries - the GP's are working long hours and don't have a lot of free time so maybe attending a conference, which they may have to attend in their own time, isn't a priority?

What input are you looking for from GP's - do you want them to speak or just attend in the audience? Having organised quite a few conferences myself, if you are putting on an event aimed at a specific target audience then you need to make sure that there are suitable numbers who are available/want to attend first otherwise it's potentially a waste of time and money. Frankly, I have found that hospital doctors/staff need educating about dementia more than GP's!

 

[Norrms]

Suitable numbers were there at the time, it was specifically aimed at GPs, so happy you have had some honest feedback from yours, as for free time and not a priority ??? dear god i hope it is a priority for them, and we are all busy as i stated xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Lawson58]

So apart from 'being too busy', 'having to prioritise their work loads', 'can't be away from the practice' etc etc etc
what are the real reasons GPs do not attend conferences about dementia?

I suspect that by the time they have read the latest journals about the advances in oncology, about the great stuff being done with modern technology in surgery and the you beaut treatments in road traffic trauma then dementia must seem like watching grass grow, that they could spend two days at a conference and feel that they have not really learned anything new. So why bother.

Researchers have been telling us for years that there is some new treatment going to be available in ten years or there is a new pill that has helped mice but not a lot that is going to require change in a GP..

Our GP manages my husband's cardiac issues, his three hernias and prostrate problems, his three bleeds and his Alzheimer's Disease and he does it superbly well. He has been my daughter'sGP, he has cared for her children, her parents in law (both with dementia) and now us for over ten years. He treats both of us with care and compassion, he listens to what I have to say. I went to a conference a couple of years ago and didn't hear of any thing I didn't already know and have some suspicion that doctors feel a bit the same way.

Doctors will come if you can convince them that they will learn something new , really new innovative stuff. Tell them that they are going to hear more of the same and they will tune out.

And perhaps their training should start at university

 

[Norrms]

Great point

 

[Jancis]

It possibly depends on who is organising the conference. I am passionate that people remember that GPs are GENERAL practitioners, not specialists in any particular field of medicine. They are likely to receive notifications of all sorts of conferences, and they cannot possibly be expected to attend all of them. Doesn't mean they don't care - or that they're not interested.