Female seeing male doctor question

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I'm not looking for medical advice. I do have a question though.

I'm female, and I need to see a doctor for a very personal issue, and I requested a female doctor.
The problem is the female doctor at the surgery I go to is on maternity leave, so my only option is to see my regular male doctor.

I don't know what the etiquette is around male doctors examining female patients. I made an appointment with him anyway, but should I be looking for a different surgery for this? Just not sure how to proceed.

Thanks for any responses.

Lovely Bloke

The etiquette is he's a doctor and will have examined any number of women before you.

It's not the 1950s, so do as he asks.

He will allow you to undress, if needed, behind a screen, but he will need to look at you in the nip at some stage if this is a "personal issue". He's seen it all before, you can be assured of that.

Loveinapril

I would imagine the 'etiquette' is the same as it is with a female doctor. They get the job done with the utmost discretion. The issue would be with your own discomfort at his gender. If you are totally uncomfortable with a male examining you then you should go elsewhere but as the other poster said, its his job. There shouldn't be an issue.

bp

Any male doctor I have seen for a female issue he has requested a female staff member to be present for the examination even when my husband was there.

Big Bag of Chips

If there is a nurse in the surgery he may ask her to come in to chaperone the examination. He will ask you if you want this. Whatever examination you are having he will have done 100s of times over. Probably even a couple of times that day already.

It's natural to be a bit apprehensive, I suppose, but it's his job. He will understand you are anxious and he will do all he can to make it as easy for you as possible. You're better off getting checked, regardless of who checks you. Try to relax, it'll be over in seconds and you can go on your way and he won't remember you any more than any other patient he will have seen that day.

Rubberchikken

if you're very uncomfortable then finding a female gp in another practice is probably best if possible.
but, tbh, doctors are trained to check every part of everybody, regardless of sex, and to do it professionally and as easily as possible.
if you go with the male doc, you could ask if a female nurse could be there too if it's not suggested. they really won't mind.
good luck

OCEANIC FIZZY POP NINE

Just go in and get it out of the way, it's gonna happen at some stage so may aswell be now.


On the way out you'll be laughing at the whole think and have forgotten all about it by dinner.

blairbear

The male doctor actually HAS to have a female chaperone if performing an exam where you have to undress; this is something repeatedly hammered home in medical school. Regardless, you're perfectly entitled to want a female GP, as a man is to prefer a male GP.

I'd be surprised if he hasn't gotten a female locum in to cover the maternity leave. You could ring and ask the secretary this.

As a doctor myself, I'd prefer if a patient expressed their wishes in terms of whether they'd prefer a male doctor instead of me (which happens, often with young men), or in your case, a female.

Nonoperational

Doesn't have to but it is crazy if he doesn't have a chaperone.

sashafierce

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Dial Hard

sashafierce wrote:

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Why?

sashafierce

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witchgirl26

sashafierce wrote: »

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Ah don't be embarrassed. My doc is male and just brilliant. He doesn't do smear tests though as he found that women were uncomfortable with that so didn't book them with him (there's a female doctor in the practice too) so he stopped taking any bookings for them.

Other than that though, he's heard everything from me!

sashafierce

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witchgirl26

sashafierce wrote: »

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Oh yeah I just meant don't get embarrassed now! My doc is about 6 years older than me only & not the worst looking. Does mean I'm able to have a laugh with him about things.

jon1981

Likewise, i have no problem going to my female doctor (I'm male), sure she is a fine thing!

johnnyskeleton

The standard procedure is for the receptionist to say "doctor X is not available is it ok to see a male doctor" at which point you can say no.

I dont really understand why the doctors gender is relevant in the 21st century, unless perhaps you have extreme religious beliefs. I went to a doctor recently and she checked for testicular cancer. I dont think it would have been any more nor less uncomfortable if it was a male doctor as opposed to a female doctor. Both are professionals really.

You want to see your main doctor because you are familiar with her and trust her. But since shes not available , would it not make sense to go with someone that she trusts to be her replacement rather than a random doctor because of their gender?