Pelvic exams on unconscious women

[Anonymous]

Decide BEFORE you go in which clothes you'll keep on. If the doctor tries to pull a fast one, say "David, I'll think about that for another time."

They are NOT to be trusted! Warn your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OR nurse here. Be thankful for the nurses in the room. Those who are not yet desensitized will save you from so much rough shod treatment. This practice of pelvic exams is a tradition from teaching. Some attendings still do it, some do not. I don't want to create undue fear, but once you are asleep, the surgical team forgets you are human due dignity and kindness. Seriously, your nurses will protect from a lot, however they also become sort of traumatized and awful behavior becomes normalized.

I'm thankful for women nurses. What can you do when a very creepy male nurse shows up?

You can certainly request a female nurse, however there are now many males in nursing. Especially ER, OR, and outpatient surgery centers. You may not be able to have this request honored, depending on staffing. Don't ever worry about making this request either, because it is common. That said, as a nurse in a critical care unit, I work with several male nurses who truly set the standard for ethical, excellent care. It's person to person, and there are some very bad female nurses. In my experience, the doctors are the ones to be more careful about.

That is a terrible thing to say. I JUST had a creepy experience with an attending. I was having day surgery, the attending came in and told me everything off, only gown on. I was having elbow surgery so I thought it was a bit odd but got undressed. My MALE OR nurse came in to tie the back of my gown and asked why I didn't have underwear on. I said the doctor told me to take it off. He helped me put it back on (elbow surgery after all -- off is easier than on) and said you don't need to have everything off, he was sorry he wasn't there when I first arrived and that he would be with me the entire time. His presence made me feel a lot better, not creeped out at all.

As a nurse manager, I will say he it is his JOB to be present with you, esp when attending is present. He could get in big trouble for that.

Yes, nurses are there to protect you. Insist on their presence, and rest assured they are for the most part a very reliable and important part of your care.

Also, people, you are in charge of your care, you can express your preferences and what you will and won't accept. Healthcare may feel like you have no choice, but you do. Speak up, even if you think it's impolite.

RN

Can’t you also just not listen? If an MD says everything off but you’re there for them t look at your toe, can’t you leave u/w on? If they really need it off, they’ll ask when they see it on — 99% of the time they won’t though bc they’ve likely decided you won’t comply.

I have had multiple surgeries starting in my teens and this is what I do. I think it is because they might need to put in a catheter but for short, minor surgeries they do not need to do that. I just leave them on and they can cut them off in the OR if there is a need or emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OR nurse here. Be thankful for the nurses in the room. Those who are not yet desensitized will save you from so much rough shod treatment. This practice of pelvic exams is a tradition from teaching. Some attendings still do it, some do not. I don't want to create undue fear, but once you are asleep, the surgical team forgets you are human due dignity and kindness. Seriously, your nurses will protect from a lot, however they also become sort of traumatized and awful behavior becomes normalized.

I'm thankful for women nurses. What can you do when a very creepy male nurse shows up?

You can certainly request a female nurse, however there are now many males in nursing. Especially ER, OR, and outpatient surgery centers. You may not be able to have this request honored, depending on staffing. Don't ever worry about making this request either, because it is common. That said, as a nurse in a critical care unit, I work with several male nurses who truly set the standard for ethical, excellent care. It's person to person, and there are some very bad female nurses. In my experience, the doctors are the ones to be more careful about.

That is a terrible thing to say. I JUST had a creepy experience with an attending. I was having day surgery, the attending came in and told me everything off, only gown on. I was having elbow surgery so I thought it was a bit odd but got undressed. My MALE OR nurse came in to tie the back of my gown and asked why I didn't have underwear on. I said the doctor told me to take it off. He helped me put it back on (elbow surgery after all -- off is easier than on) and said you don't need to have everything off, he was sorry he wasn't there when I first arrived and that he would be with me the entire time. His presence made me feel a lot better, not creeped out at all.

As a nurse manager, I will say he it is his JOB to be present with you, esp when attending is present. He could get in big trouble for that.

Yes, nurses are there to protect you. Insist on their presence, and rest assured they are for the most part a very reliable and important part of your care.

Also, people, you are in charge of your care, you can express your preferences and what you will and won't accept. Healthcare may feel like you have no choice, but you do. Speak up, even if you think it's impolite.

RN

Can’t you also just not listen? If an MD says everything off but you’re there for them t look at your toe, can’t you leave u/w on? If they really need it off, they’ll ask when they see it on — 99% of the time they won’t though bc they’ve likely decided you won’t comply.

This happened to me for minor surgery under local. The doctor told me to take everything off including jewelry. I thought it was overkill. Maybe he was pervy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is EXACTLY why you NEVER
leave your loved one ALONE in a hospital!

You NEVER know WHAT they're doing to them.
Hospitals are NOT safe places.

Just saying the truth.
Buyer BEWARE.

Cool beans. Which hospitals allow a loved one to be in the O.R.?

Sometimes they have theatres above the OR where others can watch surgeries and drop Junior mints on the patients.

[Anonymous]

OP here- just want to say I am a med student and read about this practice in a book written by a physician who went to college in early 70s. I thought this practice was over until I saw this article on meddit. I am OUTRAGED that this is even a thing and I hope female physicians can STAND UP to this. disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting , OP. I was not aware of these issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- just want to say I am a med student and read about this practice in a book written by a physician who went to college in early 70s. I thought this practice was over until I saw this article on meddit. I am OUTRAGED that this is even a thing and I hope female physicians can STAND UP to this. disgusting.

*med school in early 70s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It amazes me that anyone goes to a male ob gyn. Women are so naive.

Agree.
Anyone helping me birth my baby,
needs to have actually birthed a baby!
Sorry.

Likewise, I assume you are okay with men only going to a male urologist...or would that be sexism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It amazes me that anyone goes to a male ob gyn. Women are so naive.

Agree.
Anyone helping me birth my baby,
needs to have actually birthed a baby!
Sorry.

Likewise, I assume you are okay with men only going to a male urologist...or would that be sexism?

Why not?? Silly!
Freedom of choice in your own care is mandatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is EXACTLY why you NEVER
leave your loved one ALONE in a hospital!

You NEVER know WHAT they're doing to them.
Hospitals are NOT safe places.

Just saying the truth.
Buyer BEWARE.

Cool beans. Which hospitals allow a loved one to be in the O.R.?

Sometimes they have theatres above the OR where others can watch surgeries and drop Junior mints on the patients.

little johnny is too short to peek over the wall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It amazes me that anyone goes to a male ob gyn. Women are so naive.

Agree.
Anyone helping me birth my baby,
needs to have actually birthed a baby!
Sorry.

Likewise, I assume you are okay with men only going to a male urologist...or would that be sexism?

Good luck finding a female urologist. Few and far between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is EXACTLY why you NEVER
leave your loved one ALONE in a hospital!

You NEVER know WHAT they're doing to them.
Hospitals are NOT safe places.

Just saying the truth.
Buyer BEWARE.

Cool beans. Which hospitals allow a loved one to be in the O.R.?

I know. This is the only problem. My children have had a few minor surgeries and I am allowed to accompany them as far as the OR until they fall asleep, and then you must leave. Who is allowed to stay in the OR the whole time? Or, if not, what the heck else can you do???????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is EXACTLY why you NEVER
leave your loved one ALONE in a hospital!

You NEVER know WHAT they're doing to them.
Hospitals are NOT safe places.

Just saying the truth.
Buyer BEWARE.

Cool beans. Which hospitals allow a loved one to be in the O.R.?

I know. This is the only problem. My children have had a few minor surgeries and I am allowed to accompany them as far as the OR until they fall asleep, and then you must leave. Who is allowed to stay in the OR the whole time? Or, if not, what the heck else can you do???????

Connect with the circulating RN before the procedure. You will not be allowed in the OR (aseptic technique). The circulating RN is the person who's job it is to create a safe environment for the surgical patient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It amazes me that anyone goes to a male ob gyn. Women are so naive.

Agree.
Anyone helping me birth my baby,
needs to have actually birthed a baby!
Sorry.

Likewise, I assume you are okay with men only going to a male urologist...or would that be sexism?

No, it's not- just patient preference. Women rarely sexually abuse,assault, or mistreat male patients. Fact.

Urology
• Male physicians: 9,257 (94.2 percent)
• Female physicians: 567 (5.8 percent)

from "Male & female active physicians: 70 statistics by specialty" https://www.beckersasc.com/gastroenterology-and-endoscopy/male-female-active-physicians-70-statistics-by-specialty.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- just want to say I am a med student and read about this practice in a book written by a physician who went to college in early 70s. I thought this practice was over until I saw this article on meddit. I am OUTRAGED that this is even a thing and I hope female physicians can STAND UP to this. disgusting.

Hi OP! I am glad you are educating readers and taking it upon yourself to change this aspect of medical culture. As an RN, I have seen female attending surgical gyns oversee these exams on unaware, anesthetized patients. I was horrified, but didn't say anything at the time. No one said anything. It was part of being a patient in a teaching hospital, 20 years ago.