The secret GP

Series

Illustration of a doctor in the style of a video game, jumping over numerous obstacles such as a pile of papers, a ringing telephone, oversized medicine bottles, all while on the clock.

The Secret GP. Source: Pui Yan Fong for Wellcome Collection. © Pui Yan Fong.

Mistakes and perfect medicine

This week our anonymous GP reflects on how a mistake made in a busy, stressful environment could have had serious consequences.

Birthdays, appraisals and Harold Shipman

Our anonymous GP ponders how a prolific serial murderer has increased the workload of every family doctor.

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Dying at home and the doctor’s role

Our anonymous GP talks about the bittersweet rewards of supporting a patient when he chose to die at home.

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Why I don’t like prescribing sleeping pills

Sleeping pills often seem a simple option for aiding sleep or when dealing with anxiety, but there are many risks, and our anonymous GP is not afraid to say no to patients.

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Why some patients make my heart sink

Instead of getting nowhere with certain demanding, manipulative patients, our anonymous GP wonders if there’s a way to help them.

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When doctors get sick

Feeling guilty about developing a health problem, our anonymous GP contemplates how the system could better support doctors when they’re sick.