Difficult Situations in General Practice


You will have encountered the following problem list if you have used the Cornwall GP Registrars' self-assessment questionnaire.

Use the list now to prepare yourself for how you would deal with these problems. It is sometimes helpful to think about the circumstances in which these situations might occur - in the surgery or on a visit - and who might be around to offer other help?


  • Counselling a couple following a cot-death

  • Arranging compulsory admission to a mental hospital

  • Giving a lecture to a local organisation

  • "I want to have my baby at home, Doctor"

  • Dealing with an abusive patient in the waiting room

  • Counselling a 15 year old girl requesting the pill

  • Dealing with a suspected NAI in a child

  • Disciplining a member of staff for lack of confidentiality

  • Request to intervene in a marital dispute

  • "You won't tell Father he has cancer, will you Doctor?"

  • "The other doctor always gives me my slimming pills"

  • "My husband will kill me if he knows I've told you about his drinking"

  • "I think I need an AIDS test"

  • "I want another termination, Doctor"

  • "Your partner refused to visit me last night"

  • Request for a late home visit for a cold

  • "If we accept this family onto the list we will fail to meet the immunisation targets..." 



                                      Tutorial supplied by Mark Sullivan - Mullion - 1992
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