From the archive: ‘In my 30 years as a GP, the profession has been horribly eroded’
Mar 5, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Dr. Claire Gerada, a well-respected GP with 30 years of experience, shares her poignant reflections on the erosion of the medical profession. She candidly critiques how the focus on hospitals has compromised community care, leading to detachment from patients. Claire reminisces about her treasured home visits, emphasizing the emotional connections that have dwindled. With an eye on the future, she advocates for innovative care models to restore continuity and quality in general practice, urging a rethinking of healthcare priorities.
The podcast emphasizes the erosion of compassionate patient-doctor relationships in general practice due to increasing impersonal healthcare models.
A seasoned GP highlights the urgent need for improved care coordination and the integration of specialist teams to manage complex patient needs.
Deep dives
Erosion of General Practice Values
The podcast highlights a significant decline in the core values of general practice over the past few decades. A seasoned GP reflects on their experience, emphasizing how the relationship between doctors and their patients has deteriorated, as modern practices become more impersonal and efficient. This change results in a lack of continuity, making patients feel like strangers and leading to less compassionate care. The speaker expresses concern that despite advancements in technology and medicine, the essence of personalized healthcare has been sacrificed.
Challenges Faced During Emergency Care
During their last on-call shift, the GP describes the complexity of managing patients with multiple serious health conditions, which has become increasingly common. They recount an instance of visiting a terminally ill patient, whose care had become convoluted due to gaps in community services and inadequate hospital discharge planning. The emotional toll of being unable to provide adequate support in critical moments highlights the systemic failures of the healthcare system during emergencies. These encounters exemplify the urgent need for better coordination and resources in handling seriously ill patients.
Need for an Evolved Care Model
The discussion moves towards the future of general practice, suggesting that new models of care are necessary to effectively meet patients' needs. The GP advocates for the integration of specialist teams, alongside virtual wards and enhanced community services, to ensure patients receive appropriate care at home rather than being overwhelmed by hospital processes. They stress that the traditional role of GPs is not equipped to handle the increasing complexity of patients' conditions alone. An evolved care approach could restore the essential continuity and personal touch that has been lost over the years.
We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: As I finished the final house calls of my long career in general practice, it struck me how detached I am from my patients now – and that it was not always like this. Where did we go wrong, and what can we do to fix it? By Clare Gerada. Read by Lucy Scott. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
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