Points, points? I am running to time and thinking, “Can I get some points in this consultation?” After all, in the new world of general practice where points make prizes, dealing with the problem is no longer enough. The new UK GP contract has changed the interaction with patients by quantifying (and rewarding) certain clinical activities, particularly data collection.
My eyes quickly scan the prevention screen of the computer and see that we have no smoking status on this man. By this stage he has put his coat back on and is nearly at the door.
“Do you smoke?” I ask quickly.
He looks a bit puzzled and fumbles for his cigarettes: “Yes. Do you want one?”