Dr Suraj Kukadia, a GP widely known on social media as Dr Sooj, has revealed why he routinely asks his patients whether they have Googled their symptoms before their appointment. In a TikTok video, he explained that this question helps him align his medical agenda with the patient's worries, ensuring they feel heard and not dismissed.
Why GPs Ask About Online Searches
Dr Kukadia 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? 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?”
He explained that this approach allows him to focus his history-taking on both the medical issues he is concerned about and the specific fears the patient brings. “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 added.
Incorporating Patient Research into Consultations
The GP acknowledged that many patients do search online before visiting the doctor. “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,” he said.
Dr Kukadia also addressed another common frustration: why GPs ask questions that could be answered by reading a patient's medical notes. In a separate TikTok video, he explained that time constraints often prevent doctors from reviewing full records. “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 said.
The Reality of 10-Minute Appointments
He highlighted that the standard 10-minute appointment slot leaves GPs with only six or seven minutes of face-to-face time. “In real terms, that means you get about six or seven minutes, max,” Dr Kukadia said. “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.”
