• Question: Have you ever had a patient that you haven't been able to diagnose?

    Asked by Lily + Jas to Tuxford, Philly, Gail on 12 Mar 2018.
    • Photo: Catherine Harrison

      Catherine Harrison answered on 12 Mar 2018:

      Yes! This happens often. Sometimes people have symptoms that remain unexplained despite lots of tests and trials of treatment. Dealing with uncertainty is part of the job. As long as serious problems are excluded, and the patient is safe, then sometimes we have to accept that we don’t have all the answers! Most patients can be reassured by normal tests and reassurance that nothing serious is going on.

    • Photo: Philippa Horner

      Philippa Horner answered on 14 Mar 2018:

      Yes absolutely! I’m still very junior but as healthcare professionals, we all learn every day we are a work. I’m a huge advocate of asking colleagues when you don’t know what’s going on with a patient – as that’s the only way you learn for next time. There will always be a team around you who you can ask when you are unsure.

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