Self referring to specialists

[CG5246]

Do you think this is a bad idea with HA? Like should we instead trust what our GP says and if they think we need a specialist then go from there?

[Carys]

Hmmmm this is a toughy.......

I know that many HA sufferers trust nobody , even specialist consultants, so won't trust their GP. We see it here all the time, sorry US residents, but it seems more prevalent in the US to keep requesting test after scan after test and being given them. However, if you could be objective and think your GP is a good GP, who knows their stuff, then NO self-referral isnt generally a good idea.

My form of HA (when I have it, its not constant) is of the sort that I avoid medical people mostly, I trust them if I do see them and don't seek further tests. I think its more usual to be a reassurance/test seeker though.My GP is a good one, a really good one.

On the other side, all GPs are not equal, some are shoddy and some are excellent - they are also not infallible. I think seeking a second opinion from a second GP would be a good way to go, instead of self-referral. In the UK, on the NHS, you can't self-refer anyway and be given scans or tests which are deemed unneccessary.

[unsure_about_this]

I had one main GP but can see anyone within the gp pratice I attend, I prefer some GPs there than others, there were two GPs at the pratice I like before both moving on/retired etc..

I find it hard to trust people, every symptom to me is cancer and I know people are going through cancer or know people, but I work the other way everything serious and work backwards.

I have had in the past three ultrasounds on testicles, ultrasound on abdominal. one mri scan abdominal, one ct scan, one nuclear scan, to do with my health conditon a few mri brain scans and one mri spinal scan.

[CG5246]

Hmmmm this is a toughy.......

I know that many HA sufferers trust nobody , even specialist consultants, so won't trust their GP. We see it here all the time, sorry US residents, but it seems more prevalent in the US to keep requesting test after scan after test and being given them. However, if you could be objective and think your GP is a good GP, who knows their stuff, then NO self-referral isnt generally a good idea.

My form of HA (when I have it, its not constant) is of the sort that I avoid medical people mostly, I trust them if I do see them and don't seek further tests. I think its more usual to be a reassurance/test seeker though.My GP is a good one, a really good one.

On the other side, all GPs are not equal, some are shoddy and some are excellent - they are also not infallible. I think seeking a second opinion from a second GP would be a good way to go, instead of self-referral. In the UK, on the NHS, you can't self-refer anyway and be given scans or tests which are deemed unneccessary.

I think I have a good GP? He has really good ratings at least. I don’t know, I just moved here to Germany from the US. Yes I have doubted specialists. I have even booked 2nd opinions with other specialists. ☹️

---------- Post added at 10:12 ---------- Previous post was at 10:09 ----------


I had one main GP but can see anyone within the gp pratice I attend, I prefer some GPs there than others, there were two GPs at the pratice I like before both moving on/retired etc..

I find it hard to trust people, every symptom to me is cancer and I know people are going through cancer or know people, but I work the other way everything serious and work backwards.

I have had in the past three ultrasounds on testicles, ultrasound on abdominal. one mri scan abdominal, one ct scan, one nuclear scan, to do with my health conditon a few mri brain scans and one mri spinal scan.

I am the same way ☹️ I think I am really struggling to trust a new healthcare system too since I moved from the US to Germany. I have had several scans and ultrasounds as well and I think the worst case as well ☹️ This is all so awful 😭