Should Gps Stop Mincing Their Words With Obese Patients?

[naomi24]

//GPs should stop worrying about causing offence and offer obese patients help to control their weight, experts have said.//

http://news.sky.com/story/gps-told-dont-mince-your-words-with-obese-patients-10631431

[Islay]

Thank you for that insite Naomi - I can assure you that we fat girls look in our full length mirrors and say 'ouch' every day too!!

Its good to know that our thin sisters are there to support us!! Have you ever told your friend the truth about your thoughts?

Believe me we 'fatties' can tell you everything about food - its an addiction with drugs and booze and fags you can go cold turkey but you can't do that with food!

[Cloverjo]

As far as I know, GPs and consultants don't mince their words. OH needed an operation on his ankle a few years ago. The consultant sent copies of his letter to the GP and OH. It mentioned that he was obese. I was horrified. So rude.

[naomi24]

Islay, //Have you ever told your friend the truth about your thoughts?//

Many, many, times. I've also tried to encourage her not to eat extras just because 'it's allowed', as she says, on her 'diet'.

[Cloverjo]

All of receptionists in my local surgery are quite slim.

I do understand the addiction to food. I used to stuff my face when I was young, and avoided getting fat by throwing up afterwards- not to be recommended. It was horrible.

OH comes from a family of fat people. I don't know if it's genetic or following the behaviour you know.

[Islay]

Divebuddy you really are a card!!!

[tamborine]

Ask them to sit on the floor should suffice! Busting other peoples furniture is an expense obese would not accept.

[andy-hughes]

As advised by others - including those with direct experience - telling a patient that they are overweight is not going to be a dreadful shock.

I don't believe for one minute that any practicing GP would not point out obesity in a patient 'for fear of offending them' - it's your doctor, not your best mate or your wife or husband, they are not there not make sure you are not offended, they are there to advise you about your health.

As far as 'not mincing words' - that does carry an undertone of bluntness which is unhelpful - the GP needs to get the patient on side in order to get some help in place - calling someone 'fat' is not the best way to open discussions.

Doctors are, by definition, intelligent, knowledgeable caring people - I don't think they need the advice of 'experts' on this.

[Mamyalynne]

A GP can give good sound advice with sensitivity, being brusque will as said push people away.

The majority of people with weight problems know they have them, it's not news to them, wisecracks from those who think they know it all really don't help.

I am very fortunate in that department but have seen friends struggle greatly and suffer the taunts that go with it.

[andy-hughes]

tambourine - //Ask them to sit on the floor should suffice! Busting other peoples furniture is an expense obese would not accept. //

Your a gift that keeps giving aren't you!

[ummmm]

My sister and niece are obese. I blame my sister for my nieces obesity. She was feeding her adult size portions from a young age.

My sisters knees are knackered from being overweight.

[tamborine]

Our dentist & me have had to replace trade seats due to obese misuse.

[Islay]

Tambo, I suggest your seats were not fit for purpose and that's why you had to replace them!

[bhg481]

I used to have a work colleague who was clearly overweight and he knew it. I was chatting to him one day when he said "I think I'm anorexic. What does an anorexic see when they look in a mirror? They see a fat person looking back at them. That's exactly what I see, so I must be anorexic".

[Cloverjo]

I think that was a Jo Brand joke, bhg.

[dannyk13]

I don't think 'not mincing words' means being brusque or insensitive I think it just means being plain spoken.

[bhg481]

Jo Brand doesn't gel with me, so I've never heard her tell that one. My colleague may well have stolen it.

[TWR]

Who controls your Right /Left Hand Islay? I'm dam sure I don't.