Virtual GP appointment misdiagnosed me

[Iamoverhere]

Not sure if this has happened to anyone else but thought I'd share.

Hoping it might save someone else the trouble I went through. I’ve always thought apps were useful especially for non emergencies, but my latest appointment was a nightmare.

A few weeks ago, I developed a strange and itchy rash all over my arms and legs. My GP consultation was made online and I spoke to the doctor the same day.

The GP I was connected with took a brief look at the photos of my rash and immediately diagnosed it as hives. He was very dismissive, saying it was likely an allergic reaction and suggested some over-the-counter antihistamines. His entire demeanor was rushed, and it felt like he couldn’t wait to move on to the next patient. It wasn't my usual doctor.

I followed his advice, but the rash didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. After a few sleepless nights due to the itching and discomfort, I decided to get a second opinion from my GP practice - and was thankful to be referred to my usual doctor.

Turns out, my rash wasn’t hives at all. I was diagnosed with a serious case of shingles, which required a completely different treatment plan. Shingles can have some severe complications if not treated properly, and I was already experiencing nerve pain by the time I got the correct diagnosis.

The difference in care was stark. My face to face appointment asked detailed questions, performed a physical examination, and explained the treatment and potential complications thoroughly. It was clear that the online GP consultation was not the same in terms of quality/care, from which I received an incorrect diagnosis which could have led to much worse consequences if I hadn’t sought a second opinion.

Glad to be at the last of the shingles.

This experience has really made me skeptical of using online/apps for anything more than basic advice. While they might be convenient, the quality of care can vary dramatically, and the impersonal nature of the consultations can lead to serious misdiagnoses.

 

[HSSS]

Was the problem the fact it was online or the fact the dr was dismissive? Would the same (first) dr have been any different in person?
For me it depends what kind of issue I’m having. If it’s internal and theres nothing to see/feel then I’m happy for the initial appointment to be remote. Things like lumps and rashes I’d rather they see me in person.

 

[ianf0ster]

Obviously if it's the same doctor, then a physical appointment makes it more likely to get the right diagnosis, however phone or online appointments are often more convenient for simpler matters.

In your case it was not your usual doctor - do you even know if it was a doctor? - Dis you ask?
I just say this because I'm getting quite concerned about non-doctors (Physician Associates previously called Physician Assistants) replacing doctors especially GPs in GP Surgeries and in hospitals. They may only have a little over 2yrs training compared with I think a minimum of 7 yrs for a GP. Strangely the prior UK government wanted to encourage their use and so despite them being paid more than a better qualified doctor, there are grants which make them cheaper to employ!

 

[Rokaab]

I know when I was diagnosed with shingles (Nov last year) it was a paramedic they have in my surgery rather than a GP (pretty sure I never see the same doctor/locum/whatever if I do go along for stuff anyways) - admittedly I was lucky that the e-consult system wasnt playing that monday morning and the person on the phone found me an emergency appointment
He could tell what it was immediately, but it was only because I got there within 2-3 days that I got anti-virals (as they are apparently only effective if you catch it quickly) - any longer and I think it would've been just wait it out and don't scratch it whatever you do

 

[Rachox]

I personally prefer face to face appts. I think Dr’s seeing your body language is as important as anything you tell them or that see in the way of rashes etc... I also think it works both ways, I like to see the Dr’s body language and hear their tone of voice, which you don’t get in a virtual consult.
I’m glad you got the correct treatment for your shingles in the end, I sympathise, I had it a couple of years ago. I diagnosed myself! One advantage of having worked in infectious diseases!

 

[Lainie71]

My mum came down with shingles really bad. She had it on her face and eye and I felt so sorry for her. Being frail and elderly it seemed to linger longer. I had it on my one hip/thigh years ago with out knowing what it was, it was just picked up after I went to see the gp about some nerve pain. If I start getting very run down I notice it starts flaring up again, its not nice and hugs should definitely be given by the bucket load when you have it.

 

[Melgar]

Shingles is nasty. Thank goodness it got correctly diagnosed. I prefer in person appointments, but sometimes it’s more convenient to have an appointment over the phone. I seem to retain more of what is being said when I’m sitting with my GP.

 

[In Response]

I had shingles a few years back.
Thankfully, it was caught early so was not "nasty".
Mine was diagnosed by my pharmacist. At the time he could not prescribe medication but that has changed now.
Based on my experience, if the virtual appointment just looked at the rash and asked few questions, i am not surprised it was assumed to be hives.
The difference was subtle - it was only on one side of my body and the feeling was not itchy it was a weird heightened sensitivity and more like pins and needles.

I have experienced a misdiagnosed in a face to face appointment. The first time I presented with exhaustion and frequent weeing, I was diagnosed with a UTI and treated with antibiotics for a week. When the drugs had run out and the symptoms unchanged, I returned to the surgery and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

So, in my experience, face to face is not necessarily any better. It is down to the questions the doc asks which can be the same regardless of medium used. Given a choice, I would prefer to avoid mixing sick people and have a remote appointment.

 

[ajbod]

Many years ago i had a rash on my face, i couldn't see my then usual doctor who was brilliant and much in demand. The first GP said oh that's a viral infection use this cream and if it's not gone in a week come back. The cream had no effect at all. On returning same thing couldn't see my GP, so saw another who said oh that's a bacterial infection, use this cream and come back if not cleared up in a week. Same result. On returning i got to see my GP (Yeh). On walking through the door he greeted me with, i can see why you've come, here's a prescription, you've got Rosacea Acne, it'll go quite quickly, but is likely to flare up occasionally. I was gutted to go to the doctors about 4 or 5 years later, to be told oh he's retired. He's younger than me.

 

[Circuspony]

Many, many years ago I was convinced I'd had an odd allergic reaction to a shower gel.

Back then you could only see a GP in person. He took a look and instantly diagnosed shingles - I doubt I'd have got that response from an online consultation even if I'd bothered to try and navigate the system.

 

[AndBreathe]

Not sure if this has happened to anyone else but thought I'd share.

Hoping it might save someone else the trouble I went through. I’ve always thought apps were useful especially for non emergencies, but my latest appointment was a nightmare.

A few weeks ago, I developed a strange and itchy rash all over my arms and legs. My GP consultation was made online and I spoke to the doctor the same day.

The GP I was connected with took a brief look at the photos of my rash and immediately diagnosed it as hives. He was very dismissive, saying it was likely an allergic reaction and suggested some over-the-counter antihistamines. His entire demeanor was rushed, and it felt like he couldn’t wait to move on to the next patient. It wasn't my usual doctor.

I followed his advice, but the rash didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. After a few sleepless nights due to the itching and discomfort, I decided to get a second opinion from my GP practice - and was thankful to be referred to my usual doctor.

Turns out, my rash wasn’t hives at all. I was diagnosed with a serious case of shingles, which required a completely different treatment plan. Shingles can have some severe complications if not treated properly, and I was already experiencing nerve pain by the time I got the correct diagnosis.

The difference in care was stark. My face to face appointment asked detailed questions, performed a physical examination, and explained the treatment and potential complications thoroughly. It was clear that the online GP consultation was not the same in terms of quality/care, from which I received an incorrect diagnosis which could have led to much worse consequences if I hadn’t sought a second opinion.

Glad to be at the last of the shingles.

This experience has really made me skeptical of using online/apps for anything more than basic advice. While they might be convenient, the quality of care can vary dramatically, and the impersonal nature of the consultations can lead to serious misdiagnoses.

I think telephone appointments have their place, but aren't good for everything, for sure.
First time I had shingles (I'm up to 3 times now), I was told it was not shinges - face to face - twice. It was only when I blistered on the rim of my eye that I got the correct direction and treatment.

Second, and third times around, I had phone appointments, which led to an immediate prescription of anti-virals, based on the fact my discomfort was mirroring previous episodes.

I'll cross my fingers, because it's been a while.........

 

[Iamoverhere]

Thank you for your responses and experiences regarding my previous post. It's been quite enlightening to read about how others have navigated similar situations - and in a way I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I'm now fully recovered from the shingles but the experience gave me much to ponder about - particularly the the efficacy of virtual GP appointments. It seems the quality of care can significantly vary.

@HSSS @ianf0ster your points about the doctor's demeanour and qualifications is something I haven't often questioned, but definitely more aware of it now. @Rachox, you make a good point about the importance of body language in consultations - you just can't get that virtually! I really don't think primary care can be delivered via digital means only.

@In Response @Circuspony your experiences highlighted misdiagnoses aren't just digital - the whole thing really does show you the importance of thorough questioning and examination regardless of the setting. And in some cases, getting a second opinion!!

 

[Brettskee]

had shingles about 5 year ago went to see doc face to face was just on top of my head at this point doc just gave me cream and says come back if gets any worse said it was just an infection 3 days later started going down my left side of face getting unbearable head pains and lost like things on my temple area doc gave me some antibiotics a four day course didn’t do a thing decided to get some advice from the pharmacy he said yo have shingles the next day I awoke to shingles round my left eye inside my nostrils all round left side of face with hurrendous pain took myself straight to hospital were they gave me just 1 tablet still bare some of the scars from it today and last week just had the vaccine which knocked me off my feet for a full 6 days so if you get offered the vaccine take it cause you can get shingles twice so don’t have much faith in the doctors anymore take care