Explaining circumcision to mom....

The OP asked about how to explain circumcision to parents.

Here is the thread in which to discuss the pros and cons of circumcision:

http://allnurses.com/ob-gyn-nursing/...on-195222.html

I believe if a person can't bring themselves to give unbiased information, they should defer any explanations to the PCP. To do otherwise is an abuse of your position of authority.

VASHTEE, In the current U.S. health care atmosphere, I think it would be virtually impossible for any nurse to provide "unbiased information" about male or female circumcision due to glaring inconsistency that I will hope to get in to later. Like abortion, RU-486, stem cell research and euthanasia, it is way too much of a hot potato. Deferring explanations to a PCP who may have a religious, cultural or financial interest, "while getting you off the hook", is probably not in the patient's or parent's best interest either. As a physician (OB/GYN) and attorney, I think the whole circumcision issue places the true caregivers (nurses) in a vulnerable position.


There are two very similar threads going on right now. This link is excellent and restarted a couple of days ago: http://allnurses.com/ob-gyn-nursing/...ml#post3498869

There are many healthcare staff members who do a fine job of communicating factual, unbiased information to parents regarding circumcision. Some are for circs, some are against, and many have no stated preference. The one thing they have in common is a willingness to keep their own agendas out of the picture and the ability to resist lobbying for a specific outcome.

There are many healthcare staff members who do a fine job of communicating factual, unbiased information to parents regarding circumcision. Some are for circs, some are against, and many have no stated preference. The one thing they have in common is a willingness to keep their own agendas out of the picture and the ability to resist lobbying for a specific outcome.

Oh, bull. I don't have any problem at all.

you answer her question and thats that. and explain that you are not allowed to give opinions only facts, provide some literature or a brochure, anything but your opinion.

No need to walk on eggshells about this or any other medical topic with your patient. My point earlier on this thread was that it can be difficult for a nurse to give "just the facts" when the physician or managers at the facility they work in have a very strong opinion one way or another.

Take me for example. Early in my career I was terminated from my job because I did not try to convince parents to circumsise their children. It was all good in the end because they somehow forgot I was an attorney, I filed suite and well, the rest is history...

Your crossed the line...big time.

Not to start a circ thread, but your personal opinion about the procedure is not up for discussion...your job is to explain the facts:

The facts are:

1. It is not medically necessary (and I'm pro circ...and even I can admit that).
2. Mothers do it for a variety of reasons...cosmetic, sanitation, religious, deformity, etc.
3. There is a risk of infection, there is a risk of something going wrong with the procedure (as with ALL procedures).
4. That some research shows that the risk of HPV, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is decreased (this information is currently in my nursing textbooks), however, other research shows that it is debatable.
5. You ask Mom if she has discussed the procedure with the physician and the method of pain control (if any), would be used...this is where you are a patient advocate.

That's it....if Mom asked for your personal opinion, you should have went back to the blanket, "Unfortunately, it would not be appropriate for me to interject that because it's not my child....however, I will be happy to answer any questions or have the Pediatrician explain the procedure in detail.

If you cannot objectively educate Mom...then you should have sent in another nurse to explain it.

The physician had every right to be furious...Middle Eastern or not.

"I was heard once telling my opinion to a mom. Well, she asked for my opinion. I told her that I would never do that to my child and for many reasons. I explained them. They were facts. WEll, I got in trouble for that because that doctor was all about circumcisions. Of course that doctor was middle eastern. "

Try this. "I don't have an opinion one way or the other, Mrs. so and so. Both have pros and cons. Why don't I get you some literature so you can make an informed decision?"

And the middle eastern thing? My husband is from the middle east. Israel to be exact. As a Jew, we circumsize for religious/traditional reasons. However, his relatives in Syria do not. In Palestine, they do NOT circumsize usually due to religious beliefs as well.

I don't think it has to do with the doc being Middle Eastern.