As a GPST3 I often visit housebound patients who are unable to come to the surgery. Recently I received a request to visit a 40-year-old woman with a complex history of surgery for diverticular disease in 2010, including a Hartmann’s procedure.
My consultation was on an unrelated matter, but during my assessment I asked whether her stoma was functioning well and if there were any plans for reversal, because it seemed from the notes to have been intended as a temporary measure. She was vague about any planned follow-up but said she would be keen to have the reversal. Throughout the consultation I had tried not to be distracted by the Facebook page given pride of place beside the sofa.
When I returned to the surgery it transpired that she had not attended the stoma clinic in 2010 and had then been discharged from follow-up. I arranged for her to be re-entered into the system and phoned her to keep her up to date with developments.
Sitting at home later that evening I couldn’t help but ponder the situation. Although my patient was evidently enthusiastic as soon as I brought up the topic of stoma reversal, she hadn’t picked up the phone to the surgeons or her GP in 2 years … if only she could have found us on Facebook!
- © British Journal of General Practice 2012
