Look folks, I GET that there is a needed threshold of sensitivity for dealing with patient modesty. And I GET that you don't just walk up to people and put your hands down their pants without introducing yourself. But seriously, I was annoyed. I'd really like to do a cardio exam, and I get a lecture about how you should never ever ever ever expose breast or nipple tissue. How you can listen to the A&P valves from the top of the gown, and the Mitral & Tricuspid from the bottom of the gown by rolling it up carefully. And a femoral pulse requires a delicate "tucking" of the gown up the leg. Then when I went to delicately "tuck" the gown I got yelled at for touching the gown. Apparently I am supposed to ask the patient to tuck her own gown.
The entire time I wanted to yell "Give me a fothermucking break!!!!" I don't have time for this. Personally I am not all that into naked chicks, but I had a very strong desire to rip this woman's gown off, judo chop her ass back to on the exam table and have my way with my stethoscope. Seriously? A quick cardio exam turned into 20 minutes of gown-tucking nonsense?? Right. I can just see me on the wards now. "Ella, why the EFF did it take you half an hour to determine that she had normal rate and rhythm?" Oh, sorry, I had to explain to her the gown folding procedure as to not expose any nipple tissue. That should go over well.
I've never even seen the docs I work with make an effort to move or remove any clothing. They'll just listen over the gown or over whatever clothes the pt is wearing.
ReplyDeleteThe point of school is that you don't know the stuff already and need to learn it. Practice on friends, other students, family members, etc., until you get so that you're good at it.
ReplyDeleteSo today, did you learn that it's important to respect patient's modesty, or did you learn that you don't like that particular SP? Cuz it sounds like perhaps you missed the point.
lol. exactly. you'd think the session was titled patient modesty. this was supposed to be a cardio exam session. which is not what i learned about.
ReplyDeleteand thank you for explaining how school works. sounds like you may have missed the point
lol. "fothermucking." Well, chalk that up to the one new thing i learned today! =)
ReplyDeleteI understand the need for privacy, but seriously.... seriously, you're getting paid. And people are respectful. Some time ago, a bunch of us guys in class disrobed for classmates to do physical exams (small group session) since we only had one SP. I was one of them. And I get it, it's different if you're a man... but again.... I'm not at all in great shape (awfully skinny), but people in the class appreciate the opportunity to practice. Just saying.
I actually get annoyed when doctors are overly careful to not expose anything. It's like, we both know I have breasts. You don't need to act embarrassed about it.
ReplyDeleteUgh, yes. I hated that shit in med school too (and the self-righteousness of the SPs and the Doctors Who Act Like Being Polite Matters As Much As A Good Exam). It's much better being a real doctor. Of *course* I cover my patients when I can, of *course* I'm not groping their titties, but sometimes? Sometimes you just gotta yank a shirt up. "Excuse me" and "pardon me" go a very long way.
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