Jenifer Hermes

Thank you for your post. No doubt that was PART of the problem, but not all, I think. Jenifer

Thank you all for your help. Jenifer

Sorry for the lack of info. Why did he go to the doctor? Apparently for a routine physical before changing to another form of insurance coverage. Why did he confide in me? Heck, I don`t know. I`m a teacher...people tell me stuff all the time, and then I try to help them if I can. This is a bit outside my field, so I was hoping you all could help me to give him some relevant info. When I say "procedure", what I mean is things like- without gloves is standard? Without lubrication? Without explanation or prior consent? With no other person present? I have had DRE exams as part of routine GYN care, but my experience has been far different from what I heard described. If that had happened to me, I would surely have felt violated/ abused, but I am 39 and a professional person myself, so can kind of "smell" unprofessional behavior in others, even if they are authority figures. I would not be so trusting, but he was very shocked and hurt, physically and emotionally. If you nurses think that there is something wrong here, I would like to encourage him to take steps so that this will not happen to a young person who might not be even aware enough to recognize that there is something wrong or that they are not to blame. Jenifer

PS In case you were wondering, the exam in question was performed by a physician, not by a nurse, and there was no nurse or other observer present during the procedure. Jenifer

Hi, all! I`m not a nurse, but of course I am your big fan!! I am a university teacher here in Japan and recently a young man confided in me about a digital rectal exam procedure that he had undergone in the US that sounded to me like it probably did not follow established guidelines. He said that he felt that he had been abused, and the other details raised real red flags with me. My questions (and if I`m not asking the right ones, feel free to add) are: 1) What are the established guidelines for digital rectal examinations? What type of consent is required? What procedures should be followed? Is this an exam that is normally part of an annual checkup for a healthy teen? 2) If I suspect that there was in fact abuse, what next steps should I recommend to this young man, who is eager to ensure that no other patients have to face this situation? Please note that although I live in Japan, this happened in the US Thank you for reading, and I appreciate any help or advice. Sincerely, Jenifer Tokyo, Japan Please do not include your personal e-mail address here as we are Googled all over the world, and you are opening yourself up to getting spammed. Please have all contact done by pm. ==>Thanks for looking out for me, Suzanne! much appreciated!!