Letters to doctors

[audide]

I thought I'd just put my comments here to pull it away from the "advice needed" post.

I would really urge any therapist who is worried about a patient/client to bite the bullet and write to the GP with your concerns, even if you fear a 'knock back'. Its the only time I do write to a GP. I am sure many of you do already.

I had a lady of 82, who had had a stroke and her friend recommended her to me for treatment for a very weak neck and mobility.

This poor lady, who incidentally had a daughter, was rapidly losing her swallow reflex and was becomming progressively weaker as eating was so difficult. She had been promised physio, but nothing had happened and she had seen her GP the previous week and been patted on the hand and sent home!!

Having personal experiences with relatives post stroke, I was very worried.

I wrote, with the ladies permission, to the GP pointing out her current condition and my concerns, requesting an urgent review. I also suggested the GP might prescribe the lady liquid meals (in cartons).

Anyway the GP actually visited her the next day and immediately arranged therapy and day hospital for her and the food. The GP also wrote to me thanking me for my letter, but was unable to discuss the case due to patient confidentiality!! (or was she embarrassed as well).

It did help that I had worked for a prominent Physio for 5 years and she always wrote to GP's, (as a keeping a high profile thing too), and knew the format.

So dont be shy, the patients/clients best interests are our main concern, but get the clients permission first.

Jan x

BTW the lady was later diagnosed as having motor neuron disease. So poor thing even worse than suspected.
Has anyone treated someone with MND?

 

[Joe Wait ?]

You did right and it shows that you should always do what feels right for you.

 

[dumdum]

In reply to Paul's thought on the Treatment Advice Thread.



No they're not. If someone were to be pedantic about it, then they could say that GP's aren't even Doctors, as they don't hold a Doctorate Degree.

The other way of looking at it is that the word doctor comes from a Latin word for teacher and explains why they use the term more loosely in the US. There you'll find Herbalists, Psychologists, Naturopaths, Homeopaths, etc., are all called doctor.

Over here Doctors and Dentists are what's known as Primary Health Care Professionals. Since '93 & 94, so are osteopaths and chiropractors, respectively, which puts all on the same level. Although it is taking a long time the latter two to sink in with both the medics and the general public. [sm=banghead.gif]

On the letter front, I think it's also a good idea to write to GP's after a course of treatment with someone, briefly explaining the client's 'reported improvement'. The more of these they get, then they may think twice about the value of complementary therapies. I suggest that you do keep it short though and ideally on A5, so it fits in the Record Envelopes.

Another issue is:

Permission to Approach GP Consent Forms, that the client signs, giving permission for you and GP to share information about the client. Send them the original with the letter and keep a copy in your own notes. I know this probably sounds overkill, but this is supposed to be how it's done from a Medico-Legal stand point and covers you for all eventualities. It's also something that I don't always remeber to, but I do always get verbal permision, but that's not as bullet proof as the above. [sm=speechless-smiley-040.gif]

Andrew.

 

[sazz]

Hi Andrew you say.....
Interested to know where you get your info from?

 

[parade of jills]

hi andrew and jan (for starting the thread)

andrew, as you so rightly say on the other thread, yes, its something that we as professionals need to tharsh out to receive respect and awareness from gps.

i actually was quite surprsied with paul when he said that he assumed tGP *permission* had been saught (see other thread), as the client was most probably on meds and receiving treatment. well, as said before, arent most of our clients on meds or receiving treatment for ongoing issues, hence them coming to us in the first place? so does that mean, we should write to the GP for every client that presents on meds or ongoing treatment? doesnt that mean we would be spending a lot of time with this exercise, even thought it shows us being responsible, caring and raising awareness?

i also agree and in fact a doctor did say to me, why are we asking permission? dont we know what we are doing and therefore asking for their clearance/ putting onus on them etc? and as we know, most dont know what we do/ dont want to now what we do... so how can they give an informed/ educated permission?

i said it before and someone (tigerbee i think) said it recently, IF they say no, GP's are acknowledging we have an effect... BUT most think its mumbojumbo... so what a predicament for them! again, it gets me annoyed when very ill people are denied our services until doctors feel they cant do anymore for them, so let the complementary therapist have a go.

i usually ask my clients to mention me to their doctor at their next visit, especially if they have noticed an improvement. and i guess i have never had anyone yet that made me think twice about treating without asking GP.

 

[michele_cat_cyprus]

Like Rosie, I often suggest to new clients that they mention to their GP/hospital consultant/midwife that they are seeing a reflexologist IF I think it is relevant. I document my request in their notes too. I do it as a courtesy thing, and I also think it sows a seed in the minds of the medical profession about complementary therapies (or am I being optimistic? ).

 

[Farwood]

lol yeah... optimistic!

yes relevant in as much its someone that is having say, BP meds and has readings done every few months. then i think its relevant... its not only telling the GP that this person is haiving reflex but that it makes them feel better!

 

[DookDook]

Just reading threw these threads.

I decided when I first set up business tha for myself the easiest way to get round the whole GP issue was to add in a question to my first consultation sheet.

Permission to contact GP if required? followed by a check box for yes and a check box for no.

Lets face it most people coming the first time are happy to come and fill in this simple form- it has become my standard.. That way if I need to contact the GP say in an emergency , if I needed to hand over if a problem was out off my league or if something arose it is already signed, dated and filed. Each to their own I think.-Happy Soles.

 

[Football Playyya]

my consultation also includes this as a statement to sign by the client. just never used it, i guess.