One doctor's moving story about how GPs handle patients with poor hygiene

We should never underestimate the incredible work that doctors, nurses and GP practitioners do - handling things some of us wouldn't ever want to do and certainly not on a daily basis.
They have to handle heart-breaking news, help patients make life-changing decisions and maintain trust and patient confidentiality at all times - and do it in a way which is comforting and soothing, no matter what their mood is.
There's no doubt that NHS staff need some serious praise for the work that they do.
They are also used to dealing with all sorts of patients with a variety of physical and mental health problems - and they need to do this with an open mind and without judgement.

We should never underestimate the incredible work that doctors do

And, as the Mirror Online reports, this also extends to looking after patients with poor hygiene.
Now one doctor has revealed what happens with such patients - and her story reminds us all just how sensitive and incredible GPs and other medical professions really are.

"You get used to it," Maureen Boehm explains on Quora . "Never, ever, ever embarrass a patient about that or anything else. They are in a vulnerable position.
"They have to reveal sometimes uncomfortable information to someone that they perceive is in a position of authority. It's not easy. I don't make it harder."

Doctors have lots of patients to deal with - and must treat each one with care (Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Boehm goes on to say how poor hygiene can in fact be useful to a doctor or nurse. She continues: "If a patient has a hygiene problem, this can be a big clue to the physician. Perhaps their poor self care is due to dementia or mental illness.
"That requires some gentle probing question about what’s really up.

Source:liverpoolecho