Tips For Female Patients To Prevent Sexual Misconduct

If you look through medical boards and newspapers in the United States, you will notice that some male doctors have been accused of sexual misconduct. There are many underreported cases because patients are afraid to speak up about the abuse they experienced because they know that it is very easy for doctors to get away with wrongdoing. Some doctors that have committed sexual misconduct have continued to practice.

1.) It is best for a female patient to never go to a male gynecologist if possible. If you already have a male gynecologist, you should look at switching to a female gynecologist. There are so many good female ob/gyns you could choose from. If your area doesn't have any female ob/gyns, you should check into having a female Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant do your women's health examinations. If you do research, you will notice that some male gynecologists all over the US have sexually abused patients. You are in a very vulnerable position when you let a male gynecologist do intimate procedures on you. Having a nurse or an assistant present in the room with the doctor doesn't guarantee that nothing inappropriate would happen to you. Remember that the nurse or assistant is present to "protect" the doctor and will often be on the doctor's side. There have been cases where female patients felt the male doctor went too far, but the nurse or assistant felt he was simply doing thorough examinations. It is certainly not worth the risk to let a male doctor do intimate female procedures or examinations. It would also be best for you to find a female doctor to do a colonoscopy on you if you must have the procedure done. Some male gastroenterologists have taken advantage of women while they were under anesthesia for colonoscopy. One female patient found semen from the doctor on her face after she woke up from a colonoscopy in a Texas hospital. Check out a disciplinary action that was taken against another gastroenterologist that has been accused of sexually assaulted some female patients by Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing.

2.) Even with female ob/gyns, you have to take some precautions. It is very rare for female ob/gyns to commit sexual misconduct, but it is possible. Some of female doctors are very coercive when it comes to doing things probably due to the fact that they were taught in a male dominated medical school. You need to speak up about things you don't want to be done to you. For example, one female ob/gyn ignored a lady's wishes in writing that she didn't want any medical students present for her C-Section. It might be good to have someone who can help you advocate for what you want. You should ask the female ob/gyn to tell you in details about what exactly what she will be doing and if there is anything you don't like, you should speak up. Find out who all will be present for the procedure.

3.) Don't allow yourself to be pressured into having a pelvic exam, pap smear, or breast exam at any doctor appointments. Some female patients have gone to the doctor for other health concerns and were pressured into having unnecessary examinations. For instance if you go in for a sore throat and you think you may have strep throat, don't spend time listening to a lecture by the doctor about how important it is to have a pap smear and that you need one today. If something like that happens, tell the doctor you are not interested and you only want to talk about the reason you came in (ex: your throat is sore).

4.) Don't undress or put on a medical gown when it is unnecessary and/or you feel uncomfortable. There are so many procedures and tests that doctors can do on you without you having to change your clothes. For example, there's no need to change into a medical gown for a strep throat test.

5.) Keep in mind that it is unnecessary for you to take your shirt off for the doctor to listen to your heart. You should wear a thin shirt and not a sweatshirt. It is strange, but many doctors don't even ask men to take their shirts off to listen to their hearts, but they ask women to. That tells you something is wrong.

6.) You should think in advance about what parts of your body the doctor should examine and dress accordingly. For instance if you have a knee problem that you want the doctor to check out, you should put shorts instead of pants on so you would not have to take any of your clothes off in the doctor's office.

7.) Don't listen to recommendations from family members or friends about male gynecologists who may be good. Many people thought that the male gynecologists who have sexually abused patients were wonderful doctors who would never do anything inappropriate. Find yourself a female gynecologist to avoid the risk that you might be abused by a male doctor. Some women prefer female midwives or Nurse Practitioners to do their women's wellness exams and that is a good choice too.

8.) If you are going to be put under anesthesia, you should insist that you have a family member or a friend present for your procedure.

9.) Make a firm decision that you will not let a male doctor touch any parts of your body that are covered by a two piece bathing suit. This is a good way to prevent you from being sexually abused by a male doctor.

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