Introducing Doc Martin GP (no, not that one!)
My namesake is one of the worst GP role models on TV, but at least it means a catchy name for your social media accounts is up for grabs! And so, Doc_Martin_GP it is!
Like most GPs, I see a lot of people with mental health problems, and when you have spoken to enough people about the issues they face, you start to see patterns. There are patterns with how people think, how they feel and how they act; there are patterns in the assumptions they make - both helpful assumptions and unhelpful ones; and there are patterns in the mistakes they fall foul of. There are so many things we do in the area of mental health that are natural, obvious ways of coping, but that are altogether unhelpful, and it can take a long while to realise things aren't working.
As with the patterns I see in my patients, I also see patterns in the things I do and say; advice I give; explanations to help people understand their problems; times when I try to encourage, others when I try to challenge. Gradually, you learn what works and what doesn't, what is well received and what needs reframing because it didn't hit the mark. You always wish there were more time to go into detail, although maybe the time constraints are not so bad, because there is only so much we can take on board at once anyway.
With this in mind, I have started making short videos - 2-3 minutes long, some even shorter - and over the coming weeks I will be recording more and putting them on social media. They are mostly in the area of mental health - covering topics like depression, burnout, anxiety, panic, sleep, bereavement and so on. Occasionally I may stray into areas of physical health, and I would certainly like to talk about dementia at some stage, but mental health will be the main focus.
If you would like to see some of the first videos then they are already published on the following platforms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc_martin_gp/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/docmartingp
Do take a look, and like the page, follow or subscribe to the channel if you want to see the videos pop up regularly on your newsfeeds. Please let me know what you think in the comments, or add your own thoughts to help others understand too, and share widely if you like them - if they are helpful then the more people who can benefit from them the better!
Many thanks,
Martin
Dr Martin Brunet GP BInscombe
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