John Launer: Finding meaning in general practice
Abstract
I recently heard a wonderful story from a GP colleague.As usual, I've altered details for anonymity.A new patient registered with him and explained that she didn't want screening tests such as cervical smears or mammograms.Her previous GP had tried to challenge this, she said, but was unsuccessful.She was religious and believed that, if you developed cancer, it was something God intended, and you should resign yourself to this.The doctor, despite a strong impulse to the contrary, resisted any attempt to persuade her otherwise or to assume that he'd have any more success than her former GP in changing her view.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Healthcare cost
quality
practices
Empathy and Medical Education
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
Publication details
- Journal / source
- BMJ
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Volume
- 392
- Pages
- s385–s385
- Publication date
- 3 March 2026
- Language
- EN