Hypochondria by proxy

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Stefania Glowka — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 15:05:44 GMT

Just retiring after 25 years in practice as a small animal GP in rural Wiltshire (experience ranging from family owned referral practice to locum work in 11 places, often sole charge) - each and everyone of them had at least 2-3 of those people on regular basis. Agreed, we a a service industry so should see the animals and charge accordingly. But most practices do not have protocols how to deal with these people especially if they ONLY want to talk on the phone and are refusing appointments offered. I often felt we are replacing struggling NHS and social services without any training how to deal with CALLER'S MENTAL HEALTH issues. Good manners and compassion are not enough if calls are frequent and long....

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 10:05:55 GMT

There is more of this than you think sometimes - how many of the things we see every day actually needed treatment and how many would have gotten better on their own? It's funny how when it snows the vomiting/diarrhoea/mild conjunctivitis/bit lame dogs don't show up and we are not faced with an epidemic of dying animals in the following days......

At the end of the day if they are willing to pay we are a service industry, and one of those services is reassuring people. We do need to be mindful that we don't become dismissive of these patients and miss something when there is a problem. It's not like miss use in healthcare where it's a drain on resources and the client is not paying for the service provided.

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Stefania Glowka — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 05:46:54 GMT

Agree with Kate - these people are very draining, always insist on appointment, be firm not to allow more than allocated time 10-15 min app and always charge. We should protect OUR MENTAL HEALTH as well - and this applies to vets/nurses and receptionists.

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:49:15 GMT

We had one - usually every few weeks. It was heartbreaking, the cat was fine (mild dental issues soon sorted) but she was coping with her husband being chronically and alas terminally ill, so we tried to cooperate. Usually she was quite understanding about being fit in for a nurse visit at a convenient time. She didn't want emergency, she knew the cat wasn't emergency, but she was convinced the cat was severely ill too and terrified she would be losing the cat too. It was galactically tricky, full sympathies!

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:46:14 GMT

Oh she definitely was the reason. The client formed a very strange attachment to her. To the point we had to avoid the local Booths because we used to get ambushed on a weekend! We both suspected Munchausens by proxy because there were times the dog did actually have something wrong with it, but none of the conditions were often linked

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:43:07 GMT

Anthony Dennison Maybe your wife was the reason for the frequent visits? It happens....

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:39:27 GMT

My wife had to deal with a client like this. Was in almost every week with a different condition/complaint. Usually multiple times a week. When she went off on maternity leave, weirdly the client hardly called in at all.

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Julie Innes — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:39:05 GMT

I have one of these (all my staff will immediately know who I mean!!) She calls daily, usually to let us know the consistency of his poo, or that he has farted or cleared his throat. She knows she is a pain, but she can't seem to help it. I know she is anxious about the dog (same as she was with her previous dog), but I always see her as I explain that one time there might be something actually wrong with him. She seems to escalate, calling up to 8 times a day, then I have a word, get a bit short with her and she calms down for a couple of months, until it starts again....

She constantly apologises for being a nuisance, but then carries on doing it anyway!

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:38:38 GMT

I agree - they are draining and I certainly wouldn't be talking to them on the phone. You have to be very assertive and decisive in a consultation too. I have been known to just leave the room and wait for them at the reception desk when they simply won't leave your room.

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Kate Richardson — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:22:42 GMT

Problem is they are very draining and when you are time poor/busy anyway, they do become a nuisance. Often they don't actually want to come in and just want your time on the phone. If this is repetitive behaviour, I refuse to give advice over the phone and insist on an appointment

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:12:42 GMT

Seen it a few times. Whilst I agree that generally you just have to see and charge them - the boy that cried wolf etc - I do think that if there is a possibility of mental illness then some attempt has to be made to help them in whatever way is feasible. We've been able to contact relatives etc so they can check there is an absolute need...

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Bob Russell — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:07:31 GMT

Just make an emergency appointment each time and charge for it. Most will soon get the message!!

RE: Hypochondria by proxy

Chris Geddes — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:06:33 GMT

What's the problem? Book it in, give it a GCE, it's an easy consult, and owner is happy! My first ever consult was an owner worried about a hard lump on the dog's chest...which turned out to be the sternum.