What Makes a Good GP
GPs are our General Practitioners; these are the doctors we see at our local doctor’s office for our general health. GPs consult with patients, which pretty much means they work with us on our general health and help us to get better, they perform minor procedures, they can give prescriptions, and they can refer us to specialists or other help.
What makes a good GP?
Having a good GP is important, because this can help us to feel more comfortable and confident when dealing with our health. While doctors are experts, it’s important that you have control and get a say as well. So what makes a good GP?
They listen – it is important when you are talking to someone about your health that they understand you, and your situation as this can help them to better understand all the factors going on in your life.
They respect you – you should always be made to feel safe when at the doctor’s, a good doctor won’t force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If you do have to do something like a test that may be uncomfortable, a good doctor will ask you first, explain the process to you, and make sure you are as comfortable as possible until it is over.
They learn from you - you are the expert of your body, no one knows it better than you, so a good doctor can respect that you understand when your body is telling you things.
They can explain things clearly – you should be able to participate in the conversation, so a good doctor will make sure you understand what they are saying and will check in with you to see if you have any questions.
They aren’t judgmental - doctor’s are there to help you, so need to know any relevant information that might be useful, this means that they shouldn’t be judgmental about anything and should respect your honesty.
They are honest - doctors don’t always know everything, so a good doctor will be honest and tell you when they aren’t sure, or when they think you might be better off seeing someone else like a specialist.
Do they do the things in the list above? If they don’t do these things and make you feel safe and heard in your appointments, it might be worth looking for a new GP.
How do I find the right GP for me?
Different GPs will work better for different people. You can change GP whenever you like, so don’t settle for a doctor that you don’t feel is right for you. You can try going to a different doctor at the same practice, or you are able to register with a different practice. Do some research either online or through talking to others to find some options. Once you have found some potential GPs, here are a few things to check out to see if they might be a good fit for you.
Do they have a specialization? Some GPs have special interests or specializations, so while they can see anyone, they might be better suited to certain groups of people. Check their website to see if they have any specializations or call to ask. One that can be helpful to look out for is whether they specialize in women or children’s health.
Are they easy to see? You shouldn’t be put off going to the doctors because it is far away, or you don’t have time to go. When you are looking for a GP check how far their office is, how you will get there, what hours they are open and how you can fit in the time.
Do I feel comfortable? You should always feel safe at the doctors but feeling comfortable is a bit different. While there may be some uncomfortable things at the doctors like tests or injections, you should feel at ease and be able to chat with your doctor in a way that makes you more comfortable. Sometimes things like the doctor identifying as the same gender as you or being closer to your age can help you to feel more comfortable.
What will it cost? Different GP’s practices charge different amounts, so check what their appointment fees are.
Where else can I go?
If you don’t feel comfortable going to your GP for something specific, there are a few other places you are able to go without needing a referral.
Family Planning – family planning are experts in sexual and reproductive health, so you can go to them for things like contraception, STIs, periods and sexual health.
Physiotherapists – physios are able to treat certain injuries, can order x-rays, and can submit ACC forms for you.
Urgent care – if you need to see a doctor urgently, you are able to go to an urgent care center at any time of the day.
