The Times
Kat Lay
Gerry Gajadharsingh writes:
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to say anything meaningful without wishing to offend people unintentionally or otherwise.
With the statistical fact that being obese doubles the risk of dying from COVID-19 and that the Prime Minister recognises this as one of his own risk factors in him succumbing to the severe effects of the disease, it seems evident that pushing the “improving lifestyle agenda” only seems sensible, whether it’s from GPs, medical organisations, other clinicians, government or patients themselves.
The RCGP said “Now, of course, we know that Covid-19 is not a lifestyle disease, it’s a communicable disease, but . . . Covid-19 does not affect all people equally.
“So, in addition to age, and ethnicity, people are at higher risk of a poor outcome if they have had diabetes, obesity, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and some cancers. And most of those conditions, if not all, to some extent, are linked to lifestyle.”
The issue of course was the title and the sensitivities that it produced, the college event was titled: “Covid-19: A lifestyle disease and the vital role GPs have in beating it.”
The challenge about flagging up lifestyle is that most people think they have a good lifestyle. It’s important not to make patients feel guilty and therefore blame themselves, this is sometimes not easy. However not flagging up obvious and not so obvious lifestyle issues in the long-term does a disservice to patients and the population as a whole.”
The Royal College of GPs has apologised over an online conference that referred to coronavirus as “a lifestyle disease”.
The college event was titled: “Covid-19: A lifestyle disease and the vital role GPs have in beating it.”
Dr Stephanie deGiorgio, a GP, wrote: “Covid is a virus, it’s not a lifestyle disease. I am quite frankly horrified that you are encouraging this agenda.”
Addressing Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, she added: “This isn’t OK.”
Dr Mike Smith, another GP, added: “How on earth did this get through your comms team? I have thought about this all day and have to say you dishonour the thousands of people who have perished. Age, ethnicity, male, are clearly not lifestyle related.
“You are a disgrace today and made [me] embarrassed to be a GP.”
Responding to criticism, Dr Zoe Williams, one of the conference’s co-chairs, said in a video on Twitter: “We chose a slightly controversial title on purpose to make the link and the connection between Covid-19 and lifestyle medicine.
“Now, of course, we know that Covid-19 is not a lifestyle disease, it’s a communicable disease, but . . . Covid-19 does not affect all people equally.
“So, in addition to age, and ethnicity, people are at higher risk of a poor outcome if they have had diabetes, obesity, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and some cancers. And most of those conditions, if not all, to some extent, are linked to lifestyle.”
She urged doctors to watch the videos of the sessions before making any judgments. However, the college said on Saturday night: “The RCGP does not consider Covid-19 to be a lifestyle disease. We recognise that the title of today’s conference could be misleading and we apologise for any offence caused. The purpose of the conference is to support GPs to give appropriate lifestyle advice for patients.”
Professor Marshall said yesterday: “We reiterate how sorry we are for the distress that the inappropriate title of this course has caused. GPs are on the front line of tackling this terrible virus and we have lost many patients and colleagues to it. To suggest it is a lifestyle disease is wrong.
“The purpose of the conference was to support GPs to offer lifestyle advice to patients generally, and in the context of Covid-19, and by all accounts it was a productive meeting that more than 500 delegates attended.
“But the title and course description was misjudged and misleading and we issued a clarification as soon as it was brought to our attention. This error should not have happened and our sincere apologies go to our members and to our patients and communities who have been directly affected. We send our condolences to those who have been bereaved as a result of Covid-19.”