bad doctors visit

boonjie2 · November 2012

So a month ago I was at the doctors office and the medical assistant had a trainee so I got my blood pressure taken twice. No big deal. They are training and everyone needs to learn. But this past week I went and my actual doctor had a trainee person. I had a hard time because I gained more weight than I should have in the past few weeks and was upset about it as it is, but then her and the doctor took my measurement of my stomach and both felt my armpit lump I had questions about. (no worries, turned out to be a lymp node) but he talked about how on my next visit a test would be performed were they would be doing a vaginal and anal swabbing. I dont want to be rude but I DO NOT want another trainee by me. Maybe if this was my second or third pregnancy I would feel different but its not and I felt so uncomfertable. You are suppose to be comfertable with your obgyn and that made me SO UNCOMFORTABLE! Should I call office before my next appointment and just say to put in my file that I dont want anyone else traning by me? Or does that sound rude. What is a nice way to go about ensuring this doesnt happen again? Help please.

candr09 · November 2012

Yes, it's rude. But if you feel strongly about it then say something. You have to be your own advocate. But I'm not sure what made you uncomfortable? I've had NP students at 2 of my appointments so far. The first time I was a little annoyed because I felt like my doc was taking and explaining more to the student than to me and it was after an abnormal ultrasound so I had a lot of questions. But the second time was absolutely fine.

I guess I just don't understand why you are uncomfortable. They are medical professionals, training or not.

FML8608 · November 2012

Just tell them that when you schedule your next visit. My experience is that most doctors/facilities will indulge you that request.

Personally, I like having trainees because I learn a lot from what/why they're doing what they're doing but then again I'm one of those annoying patients who asks a million questions.

That being said, I'm not sure I'd be ok with having a trainee in there for an anal swab. Why are you having that? Just out of curiosity...I haven't heard of that.

RissKay · November 2012

Well, you can call and ask that no trainees be allowed in the room with you anymore. It's completely up to you, the patient. However, I do wonder why you don't want another one around? It sounds like the previous visits weren't "bad" by any means because of the trainee being there.

The swab isn't much more than a normal annual exam; it's really nothing to be worried about. I had mine done at the last appointment, and TRUST me, once you have the OB performing an internal exam, you don't seem to really care about a swab.

Still, do what you're comfortable with.

RissKay · November 2012

FML8608:
Just tell them that when you schedule your next visit. My experience is that most doctors/facilities will indulge you that request.

Personally, I like having trainees because I learn a lot from what/why they're doing what they're doing but then again I'm one of those annoying patients who asks a million questions.

That being said, I'm not sure I'd be ok with having a trainee in there for an anal swab. Why are you having that? Just out of curiosity...I haven't heard of that.

It's the GBS test... they don't stick it up "there" or anything... it's just a "front to back" movement with a swab to check for group b strep.

jquirke9881 · November 2012

You can refuse to have the trainees in the room. It is your decision. FWIW the swab takes approximately 1 second and these people are professionals.

I think you are a little dramatic with the title of your post. Get some perspective.

MrsT1108 · November 2012

Yes, I am judging you as I type this.

GTFO yourself.

letsgox · November 2012

candr09:
Yes, it's rude. But if you feel strongly about it then say something. You have to be your own advocate. But I'm not sure what made you uncomfortable?
I just don't understand why you are uncomfortable. They are medical professionals, training or not.

Yes, what PP said... what made you uncomfortable?

Also, I think that people in training can be a good thing when in the room because the physician usually explains things to them and to you as they are doing them. Also, as a "trainee" you are likely not their first patient to get the GBS test done by them. You can always call or ask the MA when you're there not to have anyone else perform the test but know that these people are pretty competent. Coming from a professional in the medical field, we've all been there.

LittleFish1 · November 2012

Once I broke down and cried at a regular ob/gyn visit because I had been anxious about being told something was wrong and turns out my blood pressure was higher then he wanted it. I was tired, had been a long day at work, etc. BP had been creeping up with weight over the years as well. Needless to say, was embarassed about crying and it was my first time seeing this particular dr. That I switched right away. Had nothing to do with my faith in his skills, just my own emotional reaction about going back and feeling stressed. Fast forward 7 or so years, saw him for an ultrasound early on in this pregnancy because my dr. was running super late and I was super early so they fit me in with another doctor who happened to be him. Am not saying your feelings are unjustified, but you need to do something about it instead of worrying endlessly for the next two weeks. Telling us won't solve anything.

FreshBakedBrownies · November 2012

I'm surprised how many snappy / snotty comments people write on these boards. We should be here as a safe place to support each other.

If you didn't like having extra training people as part of your appointment, just call the doctor and tell them so. Don't feel bad about it. Just do what's comfortable for you & don't stress about it.

sugargal · November 2012

I think it's important to help train new dr's while they are doing their residency. They are there because they want to learn - However - you are totally entitled to say you don't want them there. What about a happy medium where the resident can stay for the appointment then ask for them to step out when getting the GBS test? It's really not that big of a deal. I had it last week and it took longer for her to help me lay down, move my legs into position than it did to do the test. Plus, a resident won't hurt you with a Q-tip like swab!

marchlady86 · November 2012

If YOU don't feel comfortable, tell your doctor YOUR preference. I'm sure you're not the 1st person who has made that request and you won't be the last.

savannat421 · November 2012

I would ask if you could not have a trainee, but think about it from the trainee's perspective. He/she is probably really excited to learn from observing and it'll probably be insulting to the trainee, not the doctor. It's not like you are having a student perform surgery. They are just observing. When I had to go into L&D for various reasons, I had two student nurses in there, and they were super nice and actually kinda scared! I really wouldn't worry about it.

You have nothing to be ashamed of either. They know what they are getting into by becoming ob/gyns or L&D nurses. The only way they will learn is by seeing all types of situations.

Beth.1212 · November 2012

There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling uncomfortable with more people seeing your body than necessary. At least, not in my opinion. You are generally entitled to pretty much as much privacy as you feel comfortable with. (Of course, there are exceptions - if there is a medical situation that warrants the presence of more people that's a different story - but that's totally different from what we're discussing here.) If others feel comfortable having a trainee there, that's wonderful for them and it's helpful that they allow trainees to be present / participate, but it doesn't make you a bad person for feeling differently. You shouldn't have to justify to anyone why you feel the way that you do. Your feelings are your own.

I echo other posters' recommendations to call your doctor's office, explain that you feel uncomfortable having a trainee be present when XYZ happens or when they participate in ABC, and ask that future appointments involving those things be scheduled without a trainee. If someone makes an error and the trainee walks into the room when they shouldn't be there, you can calmly say that an error must have been made during scheduling because you had previously requested that a trainee not be present during exams of this type.

I cannot see how anyone could consider such a request to intrinsically be rude. You could be rude if you used the wrong tone / language ("You keep sticking me with those crappy trainees! You'd better stop sending them in" would be rude) but when handled correctly, you don't have to be rude in this situation at all.

mlangs · November 2012

If you know that your hospital is a training hospital then this is a possibility always. You can request not to have them of course, but I agree with other posters... typically I get more information when the trainees are there.

I guess since I was born and raised in a training hospital I don't find it weird or uncomfortable at all, but you aren't the first person on these boards to bring this up and I guess you won't be the last.

I figure my Dr. had to learn somewhere and maybe one day this Dr learning may have to help me too.. so I would rather all the learning possible to happen!

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