Characteristics of patients who consult their GP on their birthdays

摘要

I grew up believing that birthdays were special, almost like a personal Christmas. My birthday often fell during the Easter school holidays. I have never quite got used to having to go to work on my birthday and, indeed, try to avoid it. I would never choose to arrange disagreeable activities — for example, visiting the dentist — on my birthday. It seems I am not alone in this: a receptionist at my surgery told me that patients booking appointments sometimes declare that a date offered is their birthday and ask for a different one (D Pearce, personal communication, 2009)