Re: Rushed exams( I guess I am one of the lucky ones)
From: AMD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 19 Jun 2000 14:20:19 -0500 (CDT)
I am sorry -- I did not mean to sound like I was bashing doctors in
general. I was only mentioning that some doctors have had to come up
with some pretty undesirable routines in order to save time. And some
just have a horrible bedside manner or lack any appreciation for the
fact that at the least, this is an uncomfortable experience for many
women that represents extreme vulnerability. Some practitioners have an
attitude that says "Why should you care that you have a total stranger
looking at your genitals under a 500W light and sticking their hand so
far up your you-know-what that they should know what you're thinking?"
Women who have had very many of that type of practitioner understandably
have a jaded view of pelvic exams.
For the first 7 years that I was receiving gyn care, I was relegated to
clinic-type environments (Planned Parenthood, student health center,
staff-model HMO). Some of these people were good, some were
not-so-good. Nobody really cared about your overall health -- they were
just getting through the motions so they could prescribe the BCP's (that
the only reason I was there too). Patient comfort was not a priority in
many of these places -- they would have been just as happy to do your
pap smear in the hall. I did not have the luxury of a regular provider.
I got whoever they sent in the door, and if I was lucky they let me have
a gown. Some of these exams I just had to close my eyes and try to get
through. Most of my unpleasant experiences have been in this setting.
After I graduated college and got a "real" job with "real" insurance, I
then was able to actually choose an OB/GYN and see the same doctor more
than once. It certainly seems that the private practice doctors have
made more effort to make you comfortable. Maybe docs with bad attitudes
and poor bedside manner don't survive as often in private practice --
particularly in a large city where patients have lots of choices. They
may be in a hurry, but the ones I have visited do seem to care whether
or not you ever come back.
I still dislike pelvics, but they are not the mentally traumatizing
experience they once were. I don't know if this is just part of being
older and having some more perspective on it, having experienced the
total lack of modesty and privacy associated with childbirth, having
better doctors, or all of the above.
I hope I have not offended any of the docs here - I know you are all a
wonderful bunch that treat your patients with respect and dignity.
Andrea
At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, Claudia Twisdale RN wrote:
>
>I too have been blessed the past 7-8 yrs with a great family MD, and
>good OB/GYN caregivers. (course I worked with most of them so they knew
>if they did not treat me right they would have H*** to pay) LOL
>
>At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, Peggy wrote:
>>
>>At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, AMD wrote:
>>>
>>I am going to stick up for the Drs. here,When ever I go for an exam
>>(which is quite often with problems I am having) Each visit My gyn takes
>>me into his office first and goes over any concerns that I may have,He
>>will then bring me to the examining room, have me undress and when he
>>returns we continue to talk, He helps put my feet in the stirrups, tells
>>me when he is ready to do the exam and when finished helps me sit up.
>>.With hearing so many women that feel humilated by the exam, I feel a
>>lot more respect for my Dr.. And as Dr. Hill said this is an exam that
>>is nessasary for womens health. They aren't looking at us judging the
>>way we look. THis is what they do, and if anyone feels that
>>uncomfortable with thier gyn then they really should look into finding a
>>more compassioniate Dr.On occassion my Dr. has been rushed but I am
>>understanding of this.If there is a concern that I felt he took to
>>lightly, The next time I see him I simply say "I know that I mentioned
>>this before But I am going to mention it again" THis always gets his
>>attention! :). I saw a gyn specialist about 1 1/2 years ago who was
>>very cold,terrible bed side manners. I never went back to him So it is
>>our choice on we have for a Dr. ,Find one that is caring.Peggy
>>
>>>It is interesting to see this so close to the previous thread about the
>>>"humiliation" of pelvic exams. It is unfortunate that many practices
>>>have to "crank" through so many patients in a day that dignity and
>>>respect is sacrificed.
>>>
>>>However, this just seems absolutely ridiculous -- how much longer can it
>>>possibly take to get in the stirrups during the exam -- 30 seconds????
>>>My experience has been that the nurse frequently does this while the
>>>doctor is putting on gloves and finishing any notes ( or doing something
>>>else that would have to be done while in the exam room anyways).
>>>
>>>Practices like this certainly add to the sense of humiliation and loss
>>>of dignity that many women feel with pelvic exams. And it certainly
>>>does not improve the doctor-patient relationship. How can the doctor
>>>possibly expect a patient to feel comfortable discussing any concerns in
>>>this situation?
>>>
>>>Andrea
>>>
>>>At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, Peggy wrote:
>>>>
>>>>At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, Claudia Twisdale RN wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>Well said Claudia ,I couldn't agree more!!!! Peggy
>>>>
>>>>>Think havind MD walk in room to have patient already in stirrups stinks
>>>>>big time! It is poor care! Sorry to step on any of our Docs toes, but
>>>>>1st interaction with patient should be face to face not face to butt!
>>>>>
>>>>>At Mon, 19 Jun 2000, Jane wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>My gyn has started having his nurse put his patients on the examination
>>>>>>table with feet in stirrups before he sees them. Am getting annoyed
>>>>>>with this , especially as during my last visit the nurse accidently
>>>>>>locked the door on her way out and I had to get off the table half naked
>>>>>>to let the gyn and nurse in !!! Quite a few of the gyns patients are
>>>>>>upset with the change but so far he refuses to go back to the old
>>>>>>routine. Are we overreacting ? Thanks for your opinions.
>>
>>--
>>"FRIENDS THAT STICK TOGETHER" Peggy K.
>>
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