The other day I was visiting my family doctor, he asked me wether I was ever in jail. I thought I heard him wrong, so I didn’t say anything.
Later I found the reason he asked that is that he received a request from my specialist doctor to check out if I have TB. And prison is the place where people can easily contract that disease.
I felt very uncomfortable after I found that. English is not my first language,so I am wondering wether I’m overreacting, or is that really an inappropriate question to ask.
I just found I posted in transplant community, which I am not a member, so I posted again in this community.
Thank you for your reply
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smile-hope
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Due to the Covid pandemic, my health network asks when I call for an appointment about all the screening questions about have I had a fever, runny nose, etc. then they ask if I've been in a institution like a prison, jail, or rest home. I presume it's because those settings are rampant with illness and they spread quickly. If it didn't relate to a particular illness it wouldn't be their business and you could refuse to answer. But as it helps them determine if you are at risk, it is essential for the Dr. to know.
Sorry, but I feel you are over-reacting. Because I am single, doctors assume I am promicuous. And consequently, I have been tested for HIV regularly. WTF. I just got to thinking about this. What a fucking waste of money paying for that shit. And because prior to the COVID B.S., I was tested regularly for TB too. I guess because I travel a lot...or did. And they assume because like Bill Clinton, I smoked weed, that I still smoke and drink and whatever, but that could not be farther from the truth. I'm really quite boring, so my advice to you is to just say, none of your business. Or better yet, "No. Have you?" But I am damn sure not going to pay for another HIV/TB test.
Sounds like a rather inappropriate & clumsy way of finding out.My son contracted TB in the 80’s in Singapore , it can happen if anyone sneezes or you drink out of a glass that has not been washed properly.furthermore most Africans get a positive reaction to a TB skin test ( only means that they have been exposed to atmosphere that contains the desease or whatever)
Yes , I think he could have been more candid and straightforward.you could certainly tell him so. Very tactless I must say.
Yes it is an inappropriate question. If you had tested positive for TB and he asked you several question about how you were exposed and where....that would be ok. Sometimes Dr's have no sense of manners.....remember that work for us! Sounds like he needs a lesson.
HI Smile-hope,Totally in appropriate and possibly profiling...... Asking about exposure might have been their reason, but to just ask about jail is very wrong. If they included other sites such as nursing homes, or other institutions, maybe ok. The question should have been: "when was the last time you had a tuberculosis test?" I have to do one every year in order to qualify for my infusion and we had to do that for work also, when I worked.
Hi! I would have found that question quite offensive and I don't think I would have answered. I think it's a clumsy way to find out about TB. I could not imagine either of my doctors asking me that question. I would probably be looking for a new family doctor.
Yeah. I agree with the profiling issue. The doctor is insidious - he puts my radar on high alert. TB exposure can happen anywhere including inside schools, hospitals, at the store and more - not just prison! (TB is so infectious that it continues to be considered a pandemic today. I had an uncle die from it back in the day.) The test is simple to order up. I worked in an academic setting, so I was tested. My hubby's dialysis center also tested him regularly. His TB tests always came up inconclusive, but didn't prevent him from receiving a transplant. I'm sure the doctor has been tested himself! Ugh...I would run from this prying doctor. He learned plenty about TB in med school.
I worked for a Surgical Center for years...we were tested yearly for TB...unless you are allergic to eggs it's an easy test...if you had egg allergy and couldnt take the test, then you had a chest xray...but never got asked if I spent time In jail or anywhere else...I am with you...the guys a red flag
Well, the information doctor was seeking was relevant and appropriate but very poorly worded! He could have said, "Many things are easy to catch when you live with large groups of people where there's a lot of close contact such as dormitories and other shared living. Anything like that for you?" Some doctors are excellent on the science side but not so great on the social interaction side. Don't take it personally or as an insult.
That question is not appropriate at all. He could have asked if you have ever had TB or been exposed to it. Not OK to ask of a woman or a person of color or another language. None of his business. As a woman, I can refuse to answer any question asked by any professional at any time, or seek another doctor or a 2nd opinion. Or ask "why ask, have you?"
When my partner was recently found to have a liver problem, both the consultant and our GO asked about drinking, drug-taking and sexual habits on numerous occasions, and he had many blood tests related to possible outcomes of such activities. We realised that the doctors needed this information to help them with their diagnosis and treatment, and that the questions were regularly repeated as unfortunately many patients hide the truth, which is unhelpful. I would not think your doctor asked an inappropriate question, but maybe the way in which it was worded could have been improved. Also, as you say that English is not your first language, (although I wouldn't have guessed!), one word can make all the difference, such as "have you been in jail"/ "have you been in a jail". Just, as an EFL teacher, being pedantic and making a suggestion. Anyway, please don't take offence, as I'm sure none was intended.🙂 Hope you get the answers and the treatment you need.
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