GP Shadowing

On the week of the 20th of August I did work experience up in Newcastle where I got to shadow my uncle who is a Doctor and his colleagues at a GP surgery! It was an amazing opportunity to experience what the job is like. 

I got to sit in on consultations and observe patient conversations and issues, and the solutions to them. I also got to see the 'behind the scenes' of the receptionists (and they have a lot on their plate- constant phone calls and paper work!) as well as shadowing a nurse who performed a lot of immunisations on babies, as well as dressings and swab tests. 

Apart from my uncle, I also got a chance to stay with a junior doctor and the practice's main GP to be able to observe different doctors' approach to patients and their problems. I loved the patient contact part, and how you really form a relationship with them and know they're back story (some doctors know the family from different generations carried on!). I

 was surprised by the amount of paper work though- there is sooo much! My uncle also did home visits which was also different from normal appointments, as some people experience 'white coat syndrome' and the atmosphere in the environment of the patient's own home is a humbling experience- as they're often bed ridden or severely ill but show such appreciation towards doctors (even if sometimes there is little help that can be offered). 

I made notes of everything that happened during that week, as well as taking photos, so I'll post it within a few days!