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Can I trust a ‘clinical practitioners’ opinion?


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My OCD/health anxiety has had a big flair up regarding a weird thing at the back of my throat. I decided to go the doctor but when I rang up, they said there weren’t any doctors available and that I’d have to see a clinical practitioner. 

Now I’m stressed that I may end up being diagnosed if these practitioners aren’t qualified to know what it is. Can I trust their opinion? Or should I wait for a doctor?

Many thanks.

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Sorry I'm a bit confused. Being diagnosed with what?   An issue with your throat?

Another question is do you need a GP/clinical practitioner at all?  Is it the OCD that makes you feel you need to see a doctor or is there genuine physical symptoms that means you need to see someone?

 

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Just now, Ashley said:

Sorry I'm a bit confused. Being diagnosed with what?   An issue with your throat?

Another question is do you need a GP/clinical practitioner at all?  Is it the OCD that makes you feel you need to see a doctor or is there genuine physical symptoms that means you need to see someone?

 

I have these odd spots and discolouration at the back of my throat that I’ve had for nearly two years. They haven’t grown or anything and I think it may be something considered harmless and due to allergies called cobblestone throat, but I’m also very worried it might be HPV related throat cancer.

So yes, I’m aware it’s perhaps unlikely to be throat cancer, but I feel I need to get it checked out regardless of the reassurance seeking as even if it’s benign, I want to get it sorted.

I wanted to see a doctor, so basically I’m worried about the qualifications of the ‘clinical practitioner’ and that if it is something serious, they may not pick up on it; perhaps it’s something rare that only a doctor would be able to connect the dots with. 

Many thanks. 

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Hi HF19

Over the years there has been an increase in the occupational role of ‘practitioners’ in the NHS. Advanced clinical practitioners in physical health and well-being practitioners in mental health. It would be handy if there was a guide as to the nature of the education and training involved in each of these practitioner roles.

In general, in GP practices, advanced clinical practitioners are nurses with advanced training. But in the NHS can include other specialists as well such as pharmacists.

The growth of well being practitioners in mental health is to do with the enormous growth in therapy caused by IAPT programmes possibly the largest expansion of psychological therapy in the world. There are degrees of training and qualifications for the levels of psychological well being practitioners. It would be interesting if the same applied for clinical practitioners.

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I think that within a GP practice, Clinical Practitioners can be pretty well trusted.  If in any doubt, they will always refer back to a GP.  Even with GP Registrars (who are fully qualified doctors but who are undergoing the further 5 year GP training) they de-brief after every clinic, so a Nurse Practitioner will have far less autonomy.  I suspect your OCD is causing most of your concern

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