Author Archives: Mindful Medic

Diary of a GP 8: Axes and Olive oil, a delicacy

Arrived early for work and got myself a nice cup of tea. Opened up my emails. Few bits of nonsense and then…. Hi DrRe your 10:25 appointment with Jake – I received an email yesterday from the social prescriber to alert us she called the police on Monday as he was presenting as danger toContinue reading “Diary of a GP 8: Axes and Olive oil, a delicacy”

Diary of a GP 7: A non-stop day

Duncan, the 22-year-old whose relatives and friends keep dying around him, is back. I can’t believe it. His grandfather fell and is now paralysed. He keeps having panic attacks—one triggered during his therapist’s consultation, another when his mildly abnormal blood results set off his health anxiety. He’s coping quite well despite this. Recently, he spentContinue reading “Diary of a GP 7: A non-stop day”

Diary of a GP 6: From Dialysis to Digestives

I had a terrible night’s sleep. I drove in to work instead of cycling as I’m heading to London after work- I’ve got parties to party at. By parties, I mean my Goddaughter’s birthday celebration on Sunday. Terrible traffic on my way in. I called my mum—she and Dad are back from their holiday. TheseContinue reading “Diary of a GP 6: From Dialysis to Digestives”

Diary of a GP 5: 24 Feb 2025… When Suffering Doesn’t Steal Joy

Frederick, a tall athletic looking European student comes to see me. He’s been applying a strong steroid cream as if it’s a moisturiser (!) for 4 months and his skin is now thinning and becoming discoloured. He wants more of it… he thought his thinning skin was the eczema but now realises this is differentContinue reading “Diary of a GP 5: 24 Feb 2025… When Suffering Doesn’t Steal Joy”

Diary of a GP 4: ‘The greatest gift I can give is to see, hear, understand and touch another person’

I was a bit ratty this morning. Not looking forward to work. But then I had a good set of patients in the morning. The first phone call was someone who wanted a repeat prescription of her Hormone Replacement Therapy (menopause treatment). Before I asked her to book in for an annual blood pressure (BP)Continue reading “Diary of a GP 4: ‘The greatest gift I can give is to see, hear, understand and touch another person’”

Diary of a GP 3: phobias, heart attacks, abscesses, dental issues.

Had a hectic weekend, back and forth to London at the moment. Nothing like a bit of instability. Came back with a stinking cold. Called in to delay starting my clinic by an hour. Luckily first 40 minutes are usually telephone calls so can catch up in the lunch break quite easily. The first patientContinue reading “Diary of a GP 3: phobias, heart attacks, abscesses, dental issues.”

Diary of a GP: entry 2

Overslept this morning. Cold shower for 2-3 minutes, a jet of warmth then on the bike into work. Made a cup of tea. One of the staff members has an issue she wants to talk to me about. Joint problems. ‘Stop smoking them.’ Not funny apparently. Will see her at lunch after clinic. In theContinue reading “Diary of a GP: entry 2”

Diary of a GP (hope I can keep this up)

22/01/2025 Dear Diary Today I woke up early at 0530, did some house chores and then did some yoga for and breathwork for 45 minutes and then meditated for half an hour. I never imagined I would write those words- it’s funny where life takes you. But it’s the only way I get my fillContinue reading “Diary of a GP (hope I can keep this up)”