Patient Etiquette

Nurses General Nursing

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I am 24, and I had and epididymis infection in my left testicle a few months ago, and I waited two weeks before going to a doctor (I was in so much pain I could barely walk) I was waiting for the male doctor and male PA to return. I explained to them, that I waited because I was afraid of getting an erection if I had seen the female doctor. I know it was crazy for me to have waited, but I was terrified the female doctor and female nurse would examine my package.

Other than this kind of situation, I have no problem going to a female doctor or female nurse because I know they are just as capable as their male counterparts.

Is it inappropriate for men to ask for a male doctor or male nurse to do a genital examination?

Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

Totally understandable. You should do what is comfortable for you.

I had a male do a trans-lady partsl ultrasound on me, and of course a female technician also had to be in the room (per policy). Embarrassing to say the least, not to mention extremely uncomfortable. I just wish I would of spoken up and requested that the female just do it, since she is there anyways.

Specializes in Med/Surg.
-While I agree that it is certainly within your rights as a consumer to request medical services from someone whom you feel comfortable with I have to add "Get over yourself" What makes you think any professional is interested in sizing up your package? Were you terrified they would find you somehow lacking?

Well, that's not nice.

Do you feel it's any different than a female preferring a female doc or nurse to do their gyno exams/procedures? I don't think anyone would say "get over yourself" to someone asking that question. :uhoh3:

It's NOT about his concern about being "sized up" in that department. He's fearful of getting an erection that he can't control...which is NORMAL...and it would be an embarrassment to him. Knowing that a female doc would be professional about it doesn't automatically make that fear go away.

I think it's a very appropriate request to make, just know that in some cases, it isn't possible. On my floor, for example, we have no male nurses anymore (our previous director was male, after he left, there aren't any), so we would not be able to accomodate it. But we would respect his right to ask, at the VERY least.

Specializes in Psych.

Interesting choice of topic for a first post.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I am 24, and I had and epididymis infection in my left testicle a few months ago, and I waited two weeks before going to a doctor (I was in so much pain I could barely walk) I was waiting for the male doctor and male PA to return. I explained to them, that I waited because I was afraid of getting an erection if I had seen the female doctor. I know it was crazy for me to have waited, but I was terrified the female doctor and female nurse would examine my package.

Other than this kind of situation, I have no problem going to a female doctor or female nurse because I know they are just as capable as their male counterparts.

Is it inappropriate for men to ask for a male doctor or male nurse to do a genital examination?

No it's not inappropriate at all. I could lecture you on waiting to get care but that is besides the point LOL.

I have had male OBGYNS and Female, I have had males in the room when I delivered babies. I am a very modest person though and when it came to personal care of that area I preferred a female. Like after my hysterectomy when I had to keep monitored down there. I have had some bad experiences with males and females.

Anyway, personal care is well personal. You have to do what feels most comfortable for you and shouldn't feel bad that you are more comfortable with certain situations.

I have read on these boards for years and seen so many posts of people that would get bent out of shape if someone prefers one sex over to the other and I just don't get it. I am not offended if I had a male patient tell me he would prefer a male to do his Foley. Now it might be harder to find a male to do it since sadly we seem to lack on males in the field and I hope that changes. But it can be done. There have been males in the ER willing to come up and do one in a case like this, just like when the ER had a couple Peds patients they couldn't stick they called a Peds nurse down to do it. It's all about team work.

But I don't take it as a personal attack against me, it's what the patient is comfortable with and I will respect that.

Interesting choice of topic for a first post.

This thread was started in 2005, it is 5 years old!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
This thread was started in 2005, it is 5 years old!

Whooops, I didn't notice that lol

Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care (CEN, CCRN).

In my department, it's unwritten policy that all genitourinary procedures are done by personnel of the same sex as the patient, whether the patient requests it or not. If you have the staff for it (and we do - probably about a third of our RNs are male, and there's always at least one female MD), it's a simple and effective way to keep everyone comfortable and give yourself a certain measure of legal insulation.

Then too, unfortunately, every now and again you get a patient who seems to be seeking sexual gratification from such procedures. In addition to the aforementioned legal protection, the policy also seems to cut down on the worst of the behavioral issues. (Real-life example: a young male patient, in for abdominal pain, stated he couldn't provide a urine sample and would I please straight-cath him for it. "Not a problem," I said, "I'll get an order for that and have one of the other nurses come in to help me." The patient suddenly asked for a urinal when my 6'3", 275-lb ex-linebacker colleague walked in and said "Hello sir, my name is Joe and I'm here to do your cath...")

Specializes in Psych.
Whooops, I didn't notice that lol

Neither did I! LOL

I did notice the OP had joined in 2005...and I thought it was rather odd that they never posted until 5 years later...

Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

It is completely appropriate for you to make that request. Just as some women prefer a female physician it can be the same for a man. It is your preference.

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