Dr Suraj Kukadia, a GP widely known as Dr Sooj on social media, has shared a question he often asks his patients: whether they have Googled their symptoms. He explained that this helps him understand their worries and provide more focused care.
Why the Question Matters
In a TikTok video, Dr Kukadia responded to a commenter by disclosing his technique. He said: "As part of my history taking, I do ask my patients sometimes: have you Googled your symptoms? Is there anything that you're worried about?"
He added: "Is there something that you would like me to tackle head on that you're really concerned about that might be causing your symptoms? Is there a potential diagnosis that you think could be happening?"
Aligning Doctor and Patient Agendas
Dr Sooj explained that this approach allows him to focus his history-taking on both his own concerns and the patient's. He said: "Because it just means that I can really focus my history down on the things that I'm worried about, but also the thing that the patient's worried about."
He emphasised the importance of addressing patient fears: "If I don't ask questions like, what do you think is going on, what are you worried about, what are you hoping that we do, then what if my agenda or the thing that I'm worried about for the patient is completely different to what they're worried about? Then they don't feel heard, and they think I've dismissed their symptoms."
He acknowledged that many patients search online: "And look, even though you may not Google your symptoms, great. A lot of my patients do, and a lot of patients in general will Google their symptoms, so I have to incorporate that into my history taking."
Time Constraints in GP Appointments
In a previous TikTok video, Dr Sooj addressed why GPs sometimes ask questions that seem answerable from medical records. He accepted that this can be "frustrating" for patients. He told his followers: "That can feel really dismissive, and it can feel like they haven't even done the basics. Honestly, this will be as much of a letdown for the doctor as it is for you."
He explained that typical 10-minute appointments often leave GPs with only six to seven minutes to speak with the patient, hear concerns, and formulate a treatment plan. He said: "In real terms, that means you get about six or seven minutes, max."
Dr Sooj added: "So when a doctor asks you something that's already in your record, it's not because they don't care. It's usually because they haven't had time to read through everything, or they want to hear it from you in your own words."
He concluded: "Under a system that's under this much pressure, it's not always possible to give every patient's backstory the time it deserves before the consult starts. I think it's a fair question to ask, especially if your GP doesn't know you well. But I also think it's fair to explain that most of us wish we had more time to spend with you."
