In recent years there have been a number of reports of GPs being troubled by patients with minor ailments, while at the same time concerns have been expressed about the iceberg of unreported illness in the community.
When the perceptions of people are taken into account, one study showed that 26% had symptoms that to them were serious, but did not seek medical advice for. In contrast 11% had symptoms that they did not think were serious but that were referred to a GP. The iceberg of significant symptoms in the community was therefore more than twice the size of so called trivial complaints.1
This begs the question of ‘trivial to whom?’ GPs are extensively trained and paid to distinguish minor ailments from those that may be more serious. It is therefore disappointing that prominent members of the profession have recently promoted the view that doctors are overwhelmed with minor ailments, with the implication that patients should seek advice elsewhere and spend more on over-the-counter medicines.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2010.