Covert Pelvic Exams??!

sixes · Mar 14, 2003

I had a similar experience as emilymom. My second child was a transverse labor. My Gyn asked if a few of his students could be present and assist with the delivery.

I said ok. In marched 10 yes 10 students.

I was fully dialated and the shoulder was stuck on my pelvic bone.

I tolerated 2 students examining me after that I flat out refused. During delivery my tail bone was broken.

The students were very well mannered and a few stopped by after the ++++ painful delivey to see how we were doing.

I am all for teaching and learning as long as the client knows what is to be expected of them.

I wonder how a man would feel about having his prostate examined 10 times in a row?????

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Some comments:

All MDs need to have some training in doing a proper exam. A pap smear, breast exam, etc. is a basic important part of a physical for all women. I get my checkup from an Internist and have never seen an "OB/Gyn". I prefer having my overall health taken care by one person (do see onco for ca followup and GI for ulcerative colitis - the specifics).

A gyn exam under anesthesia is not good training for another reason. MDs need to exam a concious pt to learn to give a NON- PAINFUL exam. How many of us have been in significant discomfort during a pelvic? And then had another MD do an exam that was relatively painless. If you do exams on anesthetized pts - you will not learn how to make the pt comfortable, learn to have them cooperate with positioning, learn the techniques to make the procedure more tolerable, learn which behaviors are offensive and which are acceptable.

Real pts wiggle, move, clench, bear down and say "Ouch" (Or "What the $%^@ do you think that you are doing down there, you @#$?") and med students need training in handling those behaviors.

emily_mom · Mar 14, 2003

Like sixes and I have both experienced, you can't say you would let it happen to you until you're in that position. My child was crashing (HR in the 50's) and they were rushing to get her out. I don't think that's an appropriate time to be shaking dice up there.

I agree they need to learn...it's just not going to happen with this chick!

When I've done clinical rotations, I've always respected the decision of the patient to deny me performing a procedure on them. Some people just don't trust students, just as I don't trust med students.

It's a personal choice.

RN2B4SUR · Mar 14, 2003

mark_LD_RN, Thanks for your insight. I do have to say that though my short time of training so far, and being the only guy in school right now, I have been treated equal. There are just situations like this that have me curious of how to handle it.

Is the open environment the same for a M. nurse on the OB/GYN floor in real life after school? I would think more pts would be offended more then I would be helping them. Is this true from anyone else's point of view?

eltrip · Mar 14, 2003

Originally posted by RN2B4SUR
mark_LD_RN, Thanks for your insight. I do have to say that though my short time of training so far, and being the only guy in school right now, I have been treated equal. There are just situations like this that have me curious of how to handle it.

Is the open environment the same for a M. nurse on the OB/GYN floor in real life after school? I would think more pts would be offended more then I would be helping them. Is this true from anyone else's point of view?

Just my .02 worth, but why would/should it bother an ob/gyn patient to have a male nurse? Especially if her doc is a man.

Even with my own issues, I can't see discriminating against a male nurse when I am the patient of a male physician. Talk about a double standard!

PowerPuffGirl · Mar 14, 2003

Well, I do have friends and acquaintances who strongly prefer to not be examined by a male nurse or doctor. With some, it's a cultural or religious issue; others have had extremely negative experiences in the past.

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

My first major surgery was done by a resident. I assume the surgeon was in attendance but in hindsight; maybe not.

I was 19 years old with bilateral ovarian cysts. Big ones. After surgery, the surgeon told me "You're fine!!! Go plan your family! All we took were the cysts!!!"

Nearly two years later, when I had to change doctors and she reviewed my surgical records, she called me to ask me why I hadn't told her that my fallopian tubes had been removed along with the ovarian cysts. Easy question to answer: because no one had ever told ME that! Not the surgeon nor my family doctor who supposedly reviewed the pathology reports which cleared stated "right and left fallopian tubes, including fibriated ends" as removed tissues.

emily_mom · Mar 14, 2003

Holy cow. What did you do? I would have gone after that doc and resident!! That just makes me sick.... what a horrid thing to happen to you.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Originally posted by PowerPuffGirl
a pelvic-puppet...

Just for kicks...

Warning: If you're easily offended, trust me and don't look at this photo.

Here's the part I LOVE:

Quote:

"The vulva puppet can also be used as a pillow, worn as a hat, or shown off as a fun, exotic conversation."

OBNURSEHEATHER · Mar 14, 2003

BWAAA HAHAHA HAAAA!!!!!

Katnip, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Gotta get me one of those hats!

zudy · Mar 14, 2003

Maybe we should let the students practice on one of those "hats"! I also work in a large teaching hospital, and I had no idea that sedated pts were ever used to teach students. Just when you think you have heard it all.