The GP in the Digital Age
We had a wonderful response to our Student Writing Competition with the theme: The GP in the Digital Age. Many thanks to all those students who submitted their entries and congratulations to our top three. Our judging panel was unanimous when it came to the winner. Lydia Yarlott’s piece is original, funny, and perfectly captures the conflict that can arise between humans and digital systems. Joseph Anthony’s article got straight to the heart of the topic of how digital resources can improve quality and continuity. In joint second place, Rebecca Varley has written a warm, personal, counter-perspective that will appeal to anyone who has approached technology with some unease.
Euan Lawson,
Deputy Editor, BJGP.
Email: euanlawson@gmail.com{at}euan_lawson
1ST PLACE
A Digital Ache
To: REFERRALS
From: Dr Watkins
Dear Colleague,
I wonder if I could request an appointment for a patient of mine, Mrs Perkins.
In view of her symptoms, I do not think that a repeat endoscopy is required, but I would be grateful if she could be reviewed again in clinic.
Yours,
Dr Watkins
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To: Dr Watkins
From: APPOINTMENTS
Thank you for referring: MRS PERKINS to: ENDOSCOPY DEPARTMENT
An appointment has been booked for: 08:10am 12/01/15
Password: sd67jac9yt
Reference number: 00074583433517344
A letter has been sent to the patient containing their unique access code.
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To: APPOINTMENTS
From: Dr Watkins
Dear Colleague,
I would be grateful if you would cancel the appointment for the above patient, Mrs Perkins, as she does not require a repeat endoscopy.
I have attempted to do this by telephone, but a phonetic disagreement between your voice recognition system and myself led to a serious breakdown in communication, and our alternative interpretations of my attempts to enter the password eventually proved insurmountable.
Yours,
Dr Watkins
-----
To: Dr Watkins
From: APPOINTMENTS
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE
PLEASE NOTE: CANCELLATIONS CAN ONLY BE MADE BY TELEPHONE BETWEEN 08:00 AND 12:00 MON–FRI. YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER AND UNIQUE ACCESS CODE ARE REQUIRED.
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To: APPOINTMENTS
From: Dr Watkins
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for your message regarding cancellations. I can assure you that I have spent more time with your automated switchboard than with my wife this week. If I ever did enjoy Wagner, I’m quite certain I don’t now.
My secretary has also attempted to cancel this appointment, but confusion over a unique access code, password, and reference number ensued. I presume it was an intrinsic hatred of repeating random combinations of letters and numbers ad infinitum that led to her taking some extra leave, but it may also have been Wagner.
Meanwhile my patient is due an endoscopy next week: a matter which concerns anyone who might actually require one. I would very much like her to be reviewed in clinic instead.
Yours,
Dr Watkins
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To: Dr Watkins
From: Hospital
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE
Thank you for referring: MRS PERKINS to: GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC
An appointment has been booked for: 09:30am 10/01/15
Reference number: 00074583433517345
Password: onh823ts6vc
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To: APPOINTMENTS
From: Dr Watkins
Dear Colleague,
I received a notice this morning that my patient’s appointment in the Gastroenterology Clinic has been cancelled, and the appointment in Endoscopy remains. Apparently there was a mix up relating to the reference numbers, and the wrong access code was entered. I did telephone, but I might as well have tried to break into Gringotts.
I appreciate the diligence of your system in its determination to instigate invasive investigations for all, but from a clinical perspective may I suggest that this approach is not entirely justified.
Yours,
Dr Watkins
-----
To: Dr Watkins
From: Dr Blakemore
Dear Dr Watkins,
I was surprised to see your patient, Mrs Perkins, on the endoscopy list for this morning. So was she.
Fortunately I had a few minutes to give her some reassurance about her symptoms, and I have discharged her back to your care.
Best wishes,
Dr Blakemore
-----
To: Dr Watkins
From: APPOINTMENTS
AUTOMATED RESPONSE: PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE
This is to inform you that your patient: MRS PERKINS did not attend their appointment at the: ENDOSCOPY DEPARTMENT on: 08:10am 12/01/15
This appointment has been rebooked for: 10:20am 19/01/15
Password: onh823ts6vc
Reference number: 00074583433517341
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- © British Journal of General Practice 2015