Is your GP's receptionist putting you off seeing the doctor?

A new study found that both men and women dislike telling receptionists what is wrong ahead of being able to book an appointment with their GP.

It is common practice for receptionists to ask about symptoms when people try to book an appointment. Experts argue this helps identify the most urgent cases and puts people in touch with the right service. But critics say receptionists – who are often not medically trained – should not be allowed to triage patients.

A 2015 study published in the British Journal Of General Practice, where researchers posed as patients with stroke symptoms when calling GP receptionists, found around one third of calls were not treated as emergencies.

In the latest study, published in the Journal Of Public Health, analysis of responses from 2,000 people in the UK found 37 per cent of men and 43 per cent of women do not like having to talk to a GP receptionist about their symptoms.

Other barriers to seeing a GP include finding it difficult to get an appointment with a particular doctor (42 per cent), or to get an appointment at a convenient time (42 per cent).

A third of people (35 per cent) were put off visiting their GP because they did want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss.

Overall, women were more likely to be put off by these factors than men.

The analysis was taken from the Cancer Awareness Measure – a survey of almost 2,000 people designed to reliably assess awareness of cancer.

It is run by Cancer Research UK via the national opinions and lifestyle survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It found those from socially deprived backgrounds were more likely to worry about what the GP may find. They were more likely to be put off the idea of having tests and talking about symptoms, and were more likely to be put off if they could not see their regular doctor.

Dr Richard Roope, Cancer Research UK’s GP expert, said: “Diagnosing cancer early is something we have to take seriously, so anything that might prevent people from getting their symptoms checked needs to be overcome.

“We need to ensure that patients are able to get appointments at a convenient time, can book an appointment to see a particular doctor and aren’t put off coming to see them in the first place.

“This may mean more emphasis on training front desk staff including receptionists to deal more sensitively with patients.

“And it’s vital that the recent investment from Government is used to attract talented people into the medical profession, which will boost the GP shortage.

“We need more doctors to cope with the growing number of people walking through their doors.”

Dr Jodie Moffat, lead author of the reports and head of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: “There’s still more to learn about the things that may put people off going to their doctor, and how important they are when it comes to actually influencing behaviour.

“But it’s clear that a new sign or symptom, or something that has stayed or got worse over time, needs to be checked out by a GP.

“Don’t let anything put you off. The chances of surviving cancer are greater when it’s caught at an early stage, before it’s had a chance to spread, and seeking help sooner rather than later could make all the difference.”