There are some very important relationships we all should nurture. We invest value into our relationship with our parents, children, best friends and life partners. For many of us we also have important relationships with people in our community – like with Rebecca or Deb at Cardinal Freeman, the local butcher, the church pastor,  your physiotherapist or favourite florist. Healthy relationships are a fertile soil for healthy communication, vulnerability and support. 

The relationship between a patient and a doctor is extremely important and needs nurturing. I have many patients who spend more time with me than they do with their closest friends and family. The relationship with a doctor is a strange one – where the patient often shares their most intimate secrets, seeks counsel, and hears life changing diagnoses. There is a level of professionalism and separateness – yet there are moments of mutual sharing of life’s joys and struggles. Plus, I know in my consults, there is often quite a bit of mirth. 

I thoroughly enjoy the people in this village and the relationships I have with them. Every single one of my patients is important – and has an important history to share. Their opinions matter to me. And I am passionate about helping each one live a life they are proud of, preventing future disease and managing those annoying symptoms that come with age. I feel a reciprocation of this affection and this makes coming to work all the more worthwhile. 

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3 Tips to enhance your relationship with your GP:

• 1) Understand the agenda of the consultation. Most often you’ll have an agenda (please bring a list), and the GP will have an agenda. The first minute of the consult should be about working out why we are there.
• 2) Understand the outcome of the consultation. Make a list of the actions you need to take from the consultation – eg. the vaccination you need, medication change you need to make, or investigation you need to complete. Bring a family member to help if need be. 
• 3) Dress appropriately for the consultation. If it’s likely you’ll need a blood pressure check – then wear a shirt that can expose the upper arm.

2 Tips about Medicare:

• 1) Understand the Medicare Benefits Scheme. This is a tough one because it is complex. You should register for the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN). Learn what other things you’re eligible for such as a Health Assessment, Care Plan, Team Care Arrangement, and Home Medication Review. I’ll write an article about this in future – to unpick the confusion.
• 2) Understand health economics. “Bulk-billed” means that the medicare rebate is what pays for the consultation. Unfortunately this rebate has not stayed up to date with inflation and sits about 50% of what it should be to cover the cost of the consult. A GP is paid for the time in the consultation ONLY. Any work that is done outside of the consultation is done for free (checking results, calling specialists on your behalf, chasing letters, calling family members etc). Please avoid adding to this workload (“I’ll leave this form for you to fill in later”).