tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post876132204031202502..comments2022-12-12T10:49:47.419-05:00Comments on Patient Modesty & Privacy <center>Concerns</center>: Not Just BodiesJoel Sherman MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15302609163683972129noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-19085827395517798832013-04-01T16:18:09.058-04:002013-04-01T16:18:09.058-04:00Thank you for your comments, Will. Some medical pr...Thank you for your comments, Will. Some medical professionals are or become comfortable with patient nudity. Unfortunately, some become so comfortable that they forget whose nude and how that person feels. Others don't. Some medical professionals are so uncomfortable with nudity that they choose defense mechanisms to protect themselves -- strategies that protect their sensibilities but not the patients. Others use strategies that are empathetic and empowering for the patient. What makes it complicated is that what works for one patient may not work for another. Generally, one strategy isn't always better than another -- it depends upon situation and patient context.<br /> What does all this mean? As you say, communication. And empathy.Doug Caprahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15722777627862939708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-15432074979790084202013-04-01T14:14:27.275-04:002013-04-01T14:14:27.275-04:00I tend to agree with much of what is said.
Having...I tend to agree with much of what is said.<br /><br />Having worked in the medical field, and seen numerous naked people - I sometimes had thoughts come into my mind - such as how attractive / unattractive a person's body looked, but never expressed those thoughts. As time went on, I was more de-sensitized, and the thoughts/ visuals did not stick in my memory. <br /><br />That all makes sense - part of being normal and human.<br /><br />For me,the difference between Dr. / Nurse modesty versus the Patient is that the Dr./Nurse chose to ne in this field and they are not the ones getting naked. If they are uncomfortable, then they chose the wrong profession or need to chose a field with no / little nudity - such as Ear, Nose, Throat or Podiatry.podaitry.<br /><br />I went to a Primary Care Dr., and she seemed very uncomfortable with the nudity and I could tell she was trying to delay it as much as possible. Once the underwear was lowered, had to be the fastest testicle and digital exam I've ever had. It clearly made me uncomfortable and reluctant to discuss any sexual or genital concerns I may have.<br /><br />On the other hand, I went to a Dermatologist and it was so natural and comfortable. She did not ask - "can you remove your underwear" or "do you mind if I look". When it came time for that part of the exam, she simply pulled them down and did the exam, - no big deal. I really liked that she didn't try to make a joke or awkward conversation, like "well, I guess it's time to look at the guy things".<br /><br />For the medical field, I think they need to stop trying to have a "one solution fits all" attitude. <br /><br />I like how masseuse handles it and leaves it the to customer. Why can't the Nurse offer, "for today's exam we will be examining your full body, and you'll need to remove all your clothes. You can go ahead and get completely undressed, or if you, prefer, you can keep on your underwear until that part of the exam."<br /><br />Treated as normal - no big deal. Deal with those that are more modest, but above all let the patient make the decision as it their body and their health.Will Kingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-30778065481053481662012-12-21T20:12:23.830-05:002012-12-21T20:12:23.830-05:00Very well explained, l agree and how I feel about ... Very well explained, l agree and how I feel about privacy violations against me...medical caregivers don't even want thear it.i've filed complaonts and my calls were not returned,the quality of care nurse even said,''I've read over the reports and talked to staff members involved ,and find nothing in question,sorry about your displeasure.'' Doctors and nurses do not understand that some men are humiliated when female nurses and doctors see their private areas. I know they see it all the time. Maybe some male patients do not care if nurses are going to see and touch their genitals. But I have canceled several procedures to avoid female caregivers. Lpoking fpr a hospital with all male surgical teams has been discouragong and without success. The fact that very little is being done to prevent male patients from being ''patronized or intimidated even humiliated'' while privacy concerns are ,not an issue caregivers think about ...only hospital administratipns can change this problem. That will help me and men like me seek more medical care and keep appointments we should keep,instead of worrying,and getting so stressed that our choice of a solution is to cancel the appointment or to not even seek medical care . Yes I have had panic attacks prior to surgery,and knowing female nurses and scrubs and anesthesialogists will see every part of me and not care how embarrassed and humiliated I feel before surgery ,and how that makes me deny any pain just so I can leave as quickly as I can. Now I won't even drive past a hospital,I am so discouraged I wouldn't accept advise from my doctor and an appointment schedueler to make and keep appointments.This all has to stop soon.It would help if caregivers would show concern and offer options and solutions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-40696138217109306982010-11-12T20:40:01.067-05:002010-11-12T20:40:01.067-05:00Maria -- It's not that I don't believe you...Maria -- It's not that I don't believe you. Your take is that this behavior is the norm. I contend that it happens, but it isn't the norm. The fact that it even happens bothers me, especially that the medical culture doesn't encourage (support?) other caregivers to report this behavior. People who report can endanger their careers. I would also suggest that in our current society we have what I'll call the "Cult of the Body." Just look at magazine covers. The concept of beauty has a tight, glossy look -- abs are in, fat is out. So, this idea of "just bodies" doesn't match what our media culture touts. As a culture we're very into the difference between media-promoted beauty, and what we really look like. Providers are as much affected by these cultural mores as the rest of us -- and, yes, it does get reflected in their work and how they respond to "Just Bodies."<br /> Doug/MERAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-84952705220650230252010-11-12T15:13:56.224-05:002010-11-12T15:13:56.224-05:00SWF is to be commended for her comment. What reall...SWF is to be commended for her comment. What really compelled me to write is when they say "everybody looks the same". WOW! really???<br />Tell me... If everybody "looks the same", why are there people so beautiful or good-looking that they make a living exclusively because of it? From the beautiful young lover of an old king to movie stars nowadays, nobody except for these distorted individuals believe that. Not only it makes me angry, it makes me doubt their sanity. An attractive individual is an attractive individual, no matter the context, and an ugly one is an ugly one. No amount of draping will change that. I don't care if I am insulted, bullied, or whatever. I am convinced that an attractive girl or woman should never be alone with a male caregiver, nurse or doctor I don't care. BTW, by escorted I men someone she trusts, not some chaperone who is often a desk clerk, doesn't care about the patient and is there only to save the doctor's medical butt.<br />As for males, they also should be more assertive and think about the topic. I am convinced tht male healthcare workers may be intensely jealous of patients that are unussually "big", too. And there are jokes for those that are "micro"!... MER, don't believe me? Go to all nrses and search for "embarrassing". Look at the thread where they describe the most embarrassing moment in their nursing carrer. You'll see two comments about size, one too big (Afro American, of course), and one too small. Of course, now it's "closed for review"!Maríanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-73996209516384445002010-09-14T20:50:26.885-04:002010-09-14T20:50:26.885-04:00I don't disagree with much of what you say, sw...I don't disagree with much of what you say, swf. The nature of the work of doctors and nurses is that they deal with naked bodies -- they examine them, look at them, touch them. My goal in this series of articles is to try to show patients what may be going on with them. Patients need to observe these things. Patients need to learn, to some extent, to be participant-observers. Note these strategies and decide how you feel about how you're being treated. Point out the problems you may have with your treatment.The strategy Dr. Sherman just wrote about, using chaperones, is a good example of how doctors may protect themselves. Patients need to note when "assistants" are really "chaperones" and decide whether that's okay with them. If not, point it out. If "chaperones" are used, and the patient isn't given a choice or even asked, it's obvious that the chaperone is for the doctor.Doug Caprahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15722777627862939708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752793986869193186.post-8636889511063718572010-09-14T16:23:28.244-04:002010-09-14T16:23:28.244-04:00Doug:
It is interesting to show the other side of...Doug:<br /> It is interesting to show the other side of the equation, however I find some of the things admitted by caregivers conflicting. <br />" that is, doctor and nurse modesty. As human beings, these medical professionals bring with them into the examination room just as much emotional baggage as do patients. Doctors and nurses have certain feelings and values associated with bodies and nudity. They don’t leave these issues at home."<br />Then they say "they ‘see 20 patients a day and everybody looks the same’ and that they ‘have been doing this for so long’ that they never get uncomfortable.”<br />Of course they do not get uncomfortable. We are talking about the difference between viewing nudity and being nude. Most people whether they are medically trained or not have less anxiety viewing others naked than being naked themselves. This is not any sort of special caregiver trait that should make people feel less modest.Instead, it points to the obviousness of the problem and the lack of respect caregivers give it.<br />Maintaining ones own level of modesty while dening others the validity of theirs (if true)is a bit sociopathic. And it does not seem possible to teach 4 million people selective and compartmentalized sociopathy.<br /> These tricks of the trade are simply coersive tactics to fulfill the needs of the caregiver.<br />They are projections of what they want people to believe.<br />If one believed that caregivers maintain their own modesty, but do not realize that they may be offending others sense of modesty is conflictive. It is not plausible to believe that caregivers dress before leaving home, pull curtains when showering, and close doors when using the restroom, and then 'forget' that others feel the same.<br />If caregiver were more honest and less manipulative, we could get to the core issue of modesty and perhaps fix the broken system by oferring ethical solutions.Suzy Furno-Mariclehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09656508287697541479noreply@blogger.com