Patients speak to gender identity clinic over Skype

[Maid In Bedlam]

Yes its happened.

 

Patients will be able to speak to gender identity clinic over Skype in radical plan to meet demand

 

Its all well and good but is it just lip service to the waiting list?

 

If you read the article it does say: They added that virtual appointments will not replace face-to-face consultations.

 

So you still have to attend for any serious diagnosis.

 

I prefered to see someone. In my opnion the time you wait does go a long way to you understanding what you really want and its not just a phase.

 

Would you be interested in a gender based conversation over Skype?

 

 

 

 

[Charlize]

I think the virtual F2F sessions on the computer can actually help a great deal.  That is even more important for folks in isolated places.  At the same time like you i preferred being able to sit and talk to my therapist when i should se her body language and she could see me.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

Some people do have Dysphoria problems that need urgent attention to help them maintain daily life without self harm.  Having a trained online responder for the problem is an excellent idea and can prevent tragedy.  This type of contact can also "assign homework" for the person to do before an IRL appointment to help make better use of the time.  I agree that IRL contact should be part of the diagnostic process since in a F2F there is better communication since both parties can fully assess the other visually and with listening skills that help in a life changing decision.

[tracy_j]

I think it may work for a small number of people. Most are nervous though so it's probably not good to think about this for an initial appointment. In general I think the NHS is clutching at straws to plug the gap in lack of staff. It's a bit like those walk in centers to lower the pressure on A&E. No sooner opened then closed again in many locations. We had plans for patient support via the internet when I was working in healthcare. It never really came to much as, even in the best system found, the staff directly involved feared for their jobs, both directly and in de-skilling hence possible lowing on the payscale. With NHS cutbacks people really feared where the axe would fall next as re-grading is a common exercise. If this works I hope keeps working.

 

Tracy

[DeeDee]

I called and made my appointment to see someone in January, my initial appointment is next month and was moved back a week by SMS text. The best option would be to increase staff numbers and training.

As I am assuming that this will mostly be a fact finding mission to then divert me to a psychologist specialising in gender issues anyway it could have been conducted via Skype.

 

The biggest difference is that when I made the appointment I was still totally unsure of what everything meant, having a quick appointment just to calm me down could have done wonders, as it is I have spent the waiting time paying to speak to a private counsellor, and learning and testing what my gender meant to me and will be going into the appointment in a completely different head space and with completely different requests than when I made the appointment.