Embarrassed performing exams

[jameslerone]

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I tend to get very embarassed telling a patient I will be examining their rectum/genetalia, particularly at the point when it comes to putting gloves on.

Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Frazier]

I tend to get very embarassed telling a patient I will be examining their rectum/genetalia, particularly at the point when it comes to putting gloves on.

Anyone else had this problem?

So...What hospital do you volunteer at?

 

[BJJ]

Don't talk just play this and it should break the ice fairly quickly.

[YOUTUBE]qqXi8WmQ_WM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[DrYoda]

I don't think anyone is comfortable with it at first. You get over it though.

 

[Catalystik]

Your feelings are very common. Focus instead on trying to make the patient feel comfortable.

 

[CougarMD]

If the idea of making the patient feel comfortable stumps you, then think about how YOU would want to be treated if the same exam were being performed on you. You would probably want your doctor to be kind yet professional and as quick and perfunctory about the exam as possible.

The whole reason you practice the art of doctoring is that a lot of it does not come naturally. Have confidence that practice will make it better and that you can improve with time.

 

[rhesuspieces]

So...What hospital do you volunteer at?

Frazier wins today. Congratulations to Frazier. We can all pack up and go home now; best of luck to everyone tomorrow.

 

[deleted307836]

Frazier wins today. Congratulations to Frazier. We can all pack up and go home now; best of luck to everyone tomorrow.

 

[sideways]

I tend to get very embarassed telling a patient I will be examining their rectum/genetalia, particularly at the point when it comes to putting gloves on.

Maybe you should try it without gloves.

 

[VikingLegacy]

baleeted

 

[chen an zu]

As anyone working in healthcare, you cannot be timid about performing your role in the healthcare system because this translates immediately into the patient fearing that you don't know what you are doing and it impacts the patient's trust in you. Patients are expecting you to require a look at their perineum. They know the drill. Don't set off red flags in their head by acting awkward and timid about it.

Here is how I suggest you resolve your issue...

The timidness you are experiencing is understandable and common for anyone green and new to the field, but it is the first hurdle you must get over when dealing with patients.

Think for a moment. Think about the patient.

If they are in a hospital -- they probably have nurses and nursing aids constantly going through their dirty bits to make sure there are no ulcers, infections, etc.

Now, because the nursing staff is very often dealing with patients who have genitals that are at some kind of risk due to their conditions -- nurses and their aids are generally always exposed to patient naughty bits.

If a high-school dropout with two years of community college is comfortable working with patients and asserting a role in the healthcare system that they are professionally performing --- you should be comfortable to. The easiest way to get comfortable is to simply assist a nurse for an hour. The nurse will be happy to have an extra hand. The patient will be happy to have an extra doctor. You'll be happy to be getting over your hurdle of timidness.

After that point, you'll probably have a lot of respect for the work nurses do and how effortless it seems to them; how comfortable they are doing it.

 

[Doctor246853]

Enter room with perverted and socially disturbed look *add slobbering as needed* Say " Im gona make you feel happy on the inside" *glove pop* 👍 works like a charm. Once you can smell the patients fear you have totally gained their trust. (proceed with exam)

 

[orthomyxo]

Just walk into the exam room with no pants on and profess that you are currently the leader of Simon says.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Look them in the eyes while you're fingering them and don't forget to smile. Smiling at someone always puts them at ease. Try swirling your finger while you're inside them. That feels real nice.

 

[Doctor246853]

Look them in the eyes while you're fingering them and don't forget to smile. Smiling at someone always puts them at ease. Try swirling your finger while you're inside them. That feels real nice.

Dude you give THE WORST ADVICE!! Of course you cant forget to wisper ever so gently in their ear with a deep, penetrating voice" trust me Im a doctor" and smack your lips after you say "doctor" all the while breathing heavily on the of their neck.👍

 

[oar2386]

just walk into the room and hammock up !

 

[CougarMD]

OP - do you have the ability to shadow docs in these types of specialties (OB/Gyn, Urology) so that you can see how they interact with patients? I work in OB/Gyn on a regular basis (labor and delivery) and I will admit that the first few times I was a little uncomfortable. But after awhile you realize, first, that they are human, and second, respect and medicine trump your discomfort.

If you can, I would see if you could shadow some docs (in all that spare time you have😉) or if you could do either some role playing or standardized patient work that will help you feel more comfortable.

It is a process!

I'm not in med school yet, so I don't know all of the resources that are available to you; maybe some current med students have some constructive ideas?

 

[JJMrK]

Let's try to keep this thread on topic please. In other words, check your immaturity at the door.

 

[Dianyla]

Apparently, everyone's trolldar is broken tonight. Except for Frazier, of course. 👍

 

[Frazier]

swell

 

[TooMuchResearch]

just walk into the room and hammock up !

...Is The Todd wearing ab makeup?

 

[oar2386]

...Is The Todd wearing ab makeup?

High five for spray on abs?

 

[apumic]

lol...it's possible this guy is working as an ED tech or something. I regularly put in foleys, obtain UAs from pts w/o a foley, etc. Sometimes, someone has a traumatic injury "down under" that has to be examined. Other times, a pt comes in after being raped and has to be examined. Typically, when in the ED, I am the first to see a pt (i.e., in Triage and later in their room), then the RN (once the pt reaches their room), and finally the MD. Ideally, the MD just comes and signs orders (i.e., doesn't have to do hardly anything) because we have already completed the exam, treated the pt per standing orders, and packaged the pt for pending d/c on order from the doc.