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Ex-RCGP chair calls on hospital doctors to introduce themselves to patients

A CCG led by a former chair of the RCGP has backed a campaign for secondary care doctors to follow the lead of GPs and introduce themselves at the start of consultations in order to boost the patient-doctor relationship.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, chair of West Leicestershire CCG and a GP in Sileby, Leicestershire is backing the #hellomyname campaign started by cancer patient Dr Kate Granger, who noticed her doctors were failing to introduce themselves in consultations.

The former chair of the RCGP believes doctors and nurses can improve patient outcomes by making an effort discuss risks and benefits in prescribing, and that a strong doctor-patient relationship is key in making treatment decisions – particularly in areas like end-of-life care.

Professor Lakhani said: ‘We are lucky to have some of the best GPs and consultants in the country. As doctors, patients trust us with detailed information and are entitled to know the name of the doctor or nurse who is treating them.’

‘A doctor-patient partnership allows choices, risks and benefits of medication or operation to be explained and more sensible and tailored decisions to be made. This concept is called shared decision-making.’

He added: ‘People want a relationship with their doctor, rather than being treated as a number. I passionately believe a simple introduction is the start of that professional relationship and the beginning of compassion and accountability.’

Pulse recently reported that patients feel that GP training practices offered the most ‘patient-centred’ care, which some GPs linked to the better funding associated with these practices and the sharing of best practice amongst trainees.

Researchers have also shown that rigid QOF guidance and work and time pressures are undermining GPs’ ability to deliver patient centred care.


          

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