Staying in the room at the pediatrician

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised at so many being ok with kids alone. We were at the doctor today and they offered an escort even with a parent if you wanted. As a female, when I go to the doctor, any exam with a mail where its more than just ears/basics there is always a female escort in there. It is not only to protect the patient but also doctor as an accusation can ruin a doctors career.

Seriously? My GP is a man, and I’m always alone with him when I get my physical. If you don’t trust your doctor not to molest you, maybe find another doctor?

Wow. I didn’t think that happened anymore. Always now with a female PA or nurse in the room. It’s for both the patient’s protection and the doc’s protection against false accusations and lawsuits. In fact in many practices even female docs will have a nurse in the room for physicals and gyn exams now, to protect against accusations and lawsuits.

Of course it still happens. Some doctors follow the practice, some don't. You should not send a child, even a teen who may not speak up alone with a stranger while they get examined.

And, not all of us have doctor choice. We are with a large health care system and often you cannot get an appointment with your assigned doctor and even if you do you often don't get to see them. I usually have why husband come when I am concerned. I've had issues with fake breast exams.

I’m the one who said I see my male GP without a female chaperone. Never a whiff of impropriety, and I have plenty of choice in my care network—I affirmatively choose him. He has never suggested giving me a breast exam, and if he should I would merely reply that my gynecologist does this yearly and it’s unnecessary. You don’t have to do anything your doctor says—you have agency and autonomy. I can’t imagine bringing my husband with me to a doctor’s appointment unless I expected to get very bad news.

[Anonymous]

I asked my son at 12 if he wanted me to step out and he said no. I told the doctor this and he said I could just turn around. My son is 14 and nobody has asked me to change that practice since.

I am way more concerned about my son's privacy than I am a doctor hurting him. But we've been going to this doctor my son's entire life.

[Anonymous]

My 11 yo dd's pediatrician gave her the choice (which I anticipated and let her know about ahead of time) and she wanted me to stay but look away. (I was surprised but was of course going to do what she felt best with.)

This is OT but I was surprised to see the responses from so many teen parents - I honestly didn't think people over 13 went to pediatricians. My dd is moving over to DH & my medical practice as soon as she's 14 because everything is so much better to deal with. (Appointments are always start exactly on time, video app & practitioner texting long before covid, etc. - even with pediatricians who we love, the administrative side of the appointments has been awful (minimum half hour late, usually more like an hour, tons of sick toddlers wandering around, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 11 yo dd's pediatrician gave her the choice (which I anticipated and let her know about ahead of time) and she wanted me to stay but look away. (I was surprised but was of course going to do what she felt best with.)

This is OT but I was surprised to see the responses from so many teen parents - I honestly didn't think people over 13 went to pediatricians. My dd is moving over to DH & my medical practice as soon as she's 14 because everything is so much better to deal with. (Appointments are always start exactly on time, video app & practitioner texting long before covid, etc. - even with pediatricians who we love, the administrative side of the appointments has been awful (minimum half hour late, usually more like an hour, tons of sick toddlers wandering around, etc.)

Hi PP. Our experience is exactly the opposite, so I'm encouraging my kid to stay with the ped for as long as humanly possible. I have had outrageous gaps in my primary care, and continuity of care is an important factor for us. The peds' office has been wonderful, and will see folks until they are young adults.