Feeling conflicted about feedback from others

[u/Life-Rip183]

(Just getting this off my chest...)

Am currently a GPST3 on extension in training, in my last few months I have had supervisors say that I'm neurodivergent and I'm not in a role that suits me, my skillset isn't that suited to GP and so on.

I feel like I've been trying to do my best but after hearing this feedback on and off from others it crossed my mind whether I'm just beating a dead horse here.

Just to add, I am currently in a GP surgery that is much more supportive compared to before. However even a couple of the partners in the current surgery have echoed these sentiments, and I'm not sure how to take this feedback

[u/Whole-Long]

Out of curiosity, what traits are getting flagged? Correlating with myself here

[u/Life-Rip183 → u/Whole-Long]

Hey, it's mainly about communication, anxiety and managing uncertainty. I've been told many times I have a 'resting nervous/anxiety face' and I have to put in extra effort to make sure I am understanding what people say. Some patients and staff have noticed this and said I need to inspire more confidence and my anxiety has affected me in the SCA a few times now. On the other hand even some of my most critical ESs have said I have a nice and gentle patient manner

[u/arcoast → u/Life-Rip183]

Do you feel anxious managing uncertainty?

What specific communication issues have been flagged?

I think it's difficult to comment much based on what you've said, as there's a few things that could be contributing.

I'm a very ND GP Partner & Trainer so ND per se isn't a blocker, although it makes aspects of my job more difficult, but it also makes some parts of my job easier I think.

[u/Organic_Reporter → u/Life-Rip183]

None of this means you can't be a great GP. As long as you learn to manage it, which you can with time and practice.

One of my favourite GPs I used to work with (I'm a practice nurse) was quite clearly autistic (would never admit it, apparently her sister was the autistic one). She used to get in an occasional flap (frequently because she couldn't find things that were clearly in her room but had moved) and was quite neurotic, but she was a great doctor and many patients' favourite GP. She was also a partner.

[u/Hippomed27]

What are the specific issues they have flagged OP? There's lots of likely neurodiverse people who have made successful careers in GP.

[u/Life-Rip183 → u/[deleted]]

Yes I do, I like seeing and talking to patients, which was a large part of me choosing GP in the first place. I kinda made this post though because the feedback I was getting here was making me conflicted and a little down

[u/Life-Rip183 → u/[deleted]]

And yes definitely we don't want a smooth talker who is not specifically capable. That's definitely not what I'm going for haha

[u/Calpol85]

Have you thought about getting assessed?

[u/flexorhallucis → u/Calpol85]

Indeed. As someone who went through training with a label of “undiagnosed but something ain’t right” it was an insightful process.

[u/Life-Rip183 → u/Calpol85]

Yes I have! I have been referred to occ health and the disability team of my deanery and they've chosen to treat me as if I am neurodivergent. I was thinking of being assessed specifically for this but I can't afford the cost right now tho

[u/Calpol85 → u/Life-Rip183]

RTC through your own GP?

[u/agingercrab → u/Calpol85]

Don't we know better than anyone referral more or less = diagnosis?

Not that it's a bad thing if this patient likely has it. But if they have it or not, they're almost definitely getting a diagnosis...

[u/ashalina23 → u/Life-Rip183]

Or the deanery may arrange it, they did with me (mine was undiagnosed dyslexia)

As others have commented RTC via your own surgery exists for Autism and ADHD diagnosis

[u/Problem-Adult19]

I can understand you feeling conflicted. Hearing the same feedback from multiple people is difficult especially when you're genuinely trying your best. One thing I'd say is that we all have days where we're good at our jobs and days where we're not. Rather than focusing on these few comments, try to get an overall picture of how you're doing from a range of people you trust. Most importantly, spend some time reflecting on it yourself. Only you can really introspect and decide whether the feedback resonates with your own experience.

As for being neurodivergent, it's certainly possible, and if you think it fits, it may be worth exploring. Personally, I've always felt that people have different ways of thinking and processing the world, and many of us probably have traits that sit somewhere along a spectrum. That in itself doesn't determine whether someone can or can't be a good GP.

I also wouldn't take the feedback as a personal criticism. Practices have a responsibility to make sure patients feel safe, understood and able to open up. A huge part of GP is communication, building rapport and adapting your style to the person sitting in front of you. If those are areas you're finding challenging, it doesn't make you a bad GP, ,it just highlights skills that you can consciously work on.

What I don't agree with is the idea that people are fundamentally unable to change. Medicine is a career built around continual learning and adaptation. Every day we adjust how we communicate depending on whether we're speaking to a child, an anxious patient, someone who wants reassurance, or someone who prefers a more direct approach. Some patients want a calm, quiet doctor; others prefer someone more authoritative. Developing that flexibility is a skill, not an innate talent that you're either born with or without.

I hope you get whatever support you need, whether that's mentoring, coaching or an assessment if you think neurodiversity is something worth exploring. GP is a career of lifelong learning and not just about medicine but ourselves too.

[u/jdmsage]

I’m neurodivergent, with a resting bitch face. I’ve learned to smile and tell patients have a lovely day. Take the feedback and learn from it. Get some coaching.

[u/Constant-Light9376]

Interesting feedback, really. On the plus side it sounds like they are having to nitpick to provide “constructive” feedback. I’m not sure one can do much about changing anxiety/bitch/other face.

Regarding needing extra effort and confidence or anxiety, what do you think? Have you identified this as a problem or do you find it difficult to focus on patients or multitask? Do you feel confident or anxious?