GPs say it’s good to talk
A LOT of GPs have patients with problems which aren’t easy to diagnose.
Some of these “modern maladies” cover everything from anxiety and depression to people who have worries about their marriage, money or even obesity.
Research by Scottish GPs, who have a chaplain at their surgery, found those who used the service reported improvements in their wellbeing similar to a group given prescription.
It makes a lot of sense. Sometimes just having someone to talk to about what’s on your mind can make a world of difference.
A busy GP who has a heavy caseload can’t always spare the time to ask the questions which lie behind what is troubling a patient.
It’s easy to write out a prescription for an antibiotic – but it often takes precious time to find out with what is really troubling him or her.
Dr Gordon MacDonald an East Dunbartonshire GP has introduced a non-religious chaplaincy service at his surgery and it is helping many patients cope with a range of issues.
In our frantic world, it sounds to me like a very practical solution.