Do you find Doctors don’t physically examine you anymore ?

[Pollypuss]

Had a heart bypass 4 years ago but since then I’ve had two unrelated problems that years ago would have entailed a physical examination- primarily by the doctor before a referral . Ok I’m a woman so I won’t go into the specific details . However I had to sign a form before the date of my referral giving permission for physical contact during examination . I’ve had children and never encountered this before. So is this something new?

[10gingercats]

No. This has not been my experience. I had exams. in hospital when it is unrelated. i.e. in balance clinic and in endocrinology. Just a quick tummy exam and with a stethoscope back and front and questions about bladder, bowels etc. So No complaints.

[Taviterry]

I guess that a doctor has to very careful in this day and age of acute sensitivity about inappropriate behaviour in society in general and about possible false allegations. There is the very occasional case of a doctor being found guilty of unnecessary examinations. There's a sign in my GP surgery inviting patients to ask for a chaperone during an appointment if that would make them feel more comfortable.

At the risk of evoking thoughts of "Carry of Matron": I'm male and was slightly surprised at first that a young lady haematologist recently felt the need to probe my groin, having asked permission first. (I stress that this was clinically in order.) And the day after my TAVI, three female nurses attended to my insertion wounds in that area with due regard for my modesty, the next day one came in on her own and just pulled up my nightgown.

At my recent CT scan, a female nurse placed me in the tube, the scan started - and suddenly stopped, with a young bearded man coming in to ask if he could pull my trousers (with their metal zip) down. I think that the female nurse would have phased it differently.

[Wingnutty in reply to Taviterry]

You should have been asked to take the trousers off and wear a hospital gown before having the scan.

[Taviterry in reply to Wingnutty]

Having had a CT scan last year, I was prepared to change into a gown, but the scan was "only" of my pelvis. I didn't even have to remove my shirt.

A lady friend did comment: "if you go in a scanner with metal the results are not pretty! I'm sure he was just trying to protect your family jewels as opposed to the alternative!" (???)

(As I've mentioned in other threads, the appointment letter told me to drink 1.75 pints of water in the hour preceding the scan. I reported to Reception still with a pint to consume and already concerned about the effect of the .75 I had drunk, but the lady assured me that I needn't have drunk anything as the scan wouldn't go as far as my bladder.)

[Deejay62]

My doctors do.

[scentedgardener]

I agree with you, Pollypuss. I think a lot of it started during 2021/2022, when so much was done over the phone. The doctors at my GP surgery always used to examine you, if it was personal they would ask if you wanted a chaperone. Personally I never did, but would always say no, but add if they were more comfortable with a chaperone in the room then that was fine. Since all the doctors have retired and new ones have arrived the only time I have been examined is when a locum was on duty.I have a visible, irregular swelling on my neck and at no time have the regular GPs palpated it, but the locum did and her findings concerned her enough to request my appointment with the consultant was made urgent.

The consultant didn't palpate my neck either.

[Qualipop]

Not my experience either. I've recently had 4 physical exams by GPs and an internal by a gynaecologist. All of them simply asked verbally for permission and whether I wanted a chaperone. Never had to sign anything. I wonder if they've had a complaint and are covering their backs. Years ago I had a pain consultant give me an injection without warning , permission or explanation. I was laid with my back to him when he suddenly slammed a needle in. I had a horrible reaction that made me ill for 2 months. The rules said I should have been watched for 20 minutes in case of such a reaction but I was sent straight home (at rush hour on the M60), vomiting and violently dizzy. A formal complaint was made of physical assault which I won. Procedures were changed and written consent was then required.

[10gingercats in reply to Qualipop]

I made a complaint of emotional distress when a doctor grossly ignored my fear of a procedure after I had explained this fear to him and he denied two nurses present saw or heard anything. They backed him up!I got nowhere with my complaint written to the chief exec.I have been extremely careful ever since and last year refused a male peering inside me with the intention of doing a uterine biopsy.A female doctor later decided it was unnecesary and did something far less invasive...with my permission.

[Qualipop in reply to 10gingercats]

I've just had to totally refuse a procedure which is the one and only extreme fear I have of medical procedures. The doctor tried her best to persuade me although not nastily but afterwards , she admitted she'd be afraid of it too but not as bad as me.

My complaint was done supposedly with the help of PALS but quite honestly they were useless. The report they drafted was full of errors and spelling mistakes. I redid it myself. It took over a year with many letters back and forth, one reply that I didn't accept but eventually they agreed and made alterations to their procedure.