One of the key issues that has cropped up throughout this process has been the ability of General Practitioner's to fully understand and comment on a HIV+ persons health in relation to their claim. That is not to undermine the role of the GP merely they lack the specialist knowledge of a HIV consultant. There is also an argument that medical practitioners employed by the DWP are also not specialist enough to comment or understand HIV fully. Given that a "medical practitioner" can be a nurse for example.
On the BBC
News website there is a story about GP's & HIV which further supports the case that they are not best placed to comment on HIV when they fail to recognise it in surgery.
Here is the story.
HIV is being spread because doctors overlook symptoms which could reveal the infection, a charity claims. The National Aids Trust said as many as half of all early-stage infections, often marked by severe flu-like symptoms, are being missed. Spotting them and carrying out an HIV test would prevent further infections, it said. A GP specialising in sexual health said doctors should always be open-minded to the possibility their patients had HIV. There are approximately 7,000 new HIV infections in the UK every year, and as many as 50% are estimated to be passed on by people who are in the early stages of their own infection. In the first few weeks after infection, there are massive levels of the virus in the blood, and in most cases, this causes symptoms such as sore throats, fever and rashes. A person with HIV is at their most infectious at this point. However, after six weeks, these symptoms generally recede and the infected person will feel back to normal, even though they still have HIV. However, the National Aids Trust (NAT) said that people visiting a doctor, either their GP or in A&E, complaining of these symptoms were often told it was a trivial viral infection, and to return if it did not improve. A study in Brighton found that 48% of HIV patients who had sought medical advice with their early symptoms had not been diagnosed. 'Stereotype' Deborah Jack, the chief executive of NAT, said: "It is very worrying that GPs and other healthcare professionals are often missing the signs and symptoms of HIV infection. "This can mean they become seriously ill in the longer term and respond less well to treatment. "It also means they are likely to be putting partners at risk of infection as they may live undiagnosed for a number of years." Dr Martin Fisher, a consultant in HIV medicine, said that this brief period was a "golden opportunity" to spot new cases. He said: "HIV testing needs to be more widespread and routine. It's reasonable to expect doctors to be able to make this diagnosis." Dr Christian Jessen, a GP specialising in sexual health medicine, said that doctors were still guilty of being influenced by the stereotypical notion of the "gay man with HIV". "I have seen so many cases come to me which have been missed, and people with HIV are not just gay men, they are heterosexual men and women as well. "Doctors need to always be alive to the possibility that the person in front of them may have HIV." Lisa Power, of the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said it was important that those of particular risk of HIV, and those who give them healthcare, needed to know the signs of early infection. "Sore throat, fever and a rash? Go and get it checked out, and make sure the various checks includes an HIV test."
Doctors need to always be alive to the possibility that the person in front of them may have HIV
Dr Christian Jessen
GP
PDF version
If the typical G.P. is
If the typical G.P. is anything like mine they do not have a clue about HIV.
Recently my Cholesterol was 10.1 & Triglycerides 28.54 so my consultant prescribed Lipitor & Bezalip Mono.
On my last visit to the hospital I complained about chronic pain in my joints, bones and muscles. My
consultant reduced the dosage of Lipitor and took extra bloods for tests. The results came back vitamin D
deficient, he asked me to make an appointment with my G.P. and ask him for Calcichew D. This would then
enable my body to take up calcium much easier. I explained all this to my G.P. who then told me all these
problems were due to a poor diet. I had to explain that it was the HIV medication causing all the problems.
He was about to say at least you are still alive but I stopped him, he changed it to 'at least you are not in pain'.
I had to remind him that I was in pain and that is why I was there to see him in the first place. I left with my prescription,
not bothering to check it, I wish I had. When I collected the medication I needed, which had to be ordered it was
just Calcichew which was no good to me. It is the 'D' part my body is lacking so no matter how much calcium I was taking
my body could not absorb it. This all happened on a Friday afternoon, not a good day for me. 1 month on and I am still getting
pains in my knee and elbow joints, sometimes it's like somebody is injecting acid into my elbow.
I did get put back on Citalopram and Chlordiaepoxide (after a 10 year break) from the visit so maybe he did take note of the state I was in.
Reply.
I am sorry to hear about your experience. However thank you for sharing as it is further evidence that the general nature of GP's experience doesn't lend itself to treating or knowing about the specific's of chronic conditions. At the very least I would have thought the GP would have researched what you had said before reaching a judgement.
You also mention the Stigma. The GP shouldn't allow his own feelings to cloud his judgement. Though this can often been seen as a display more of a lack of their knowledge or the fact they feel undermined by a patient that knows more about their condition than they do.
In general terms. Anyone who has a problem with their GP and being discriminated against in any way can complain to the General Medical Council - they take these matter very seriously.
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