Disgusted

[volleyboy3]

Shawn has just informed me that he will be in town for his preceptorship with a gynecologist instead of out in Anderson where he was placed. He called the woman's office this morning, and the secretary was surprised by his voice and name and told him that the doctor was not taking students this summer. This was a lie, and a rude one at that. The

Comments

[mathwhiz78]

Maybe you can write the letter and Shawn can sign it?

[shawnmatt81]

Yeah, I was going to suggest that to him... write it out and I can adjust it as necessary for the specific circumstances.

[mathwhiz78]

he can practice some of that legal writing he's spent $65,000 learning.

Female Docs

[anonymous]

Sorry Chris...I agree that the school shouldn't send students (Male anyway) if this doctor is an all female practice but some women are extremely hesitant to see a male doctor for female problems. Most won't hesitate to see a Male OB but it might be too embarrassing to talk about their problems, especially in front of a student who looks like their kid. It's not personal but I'm starting to see women docs myself for that reason. An older woman doesn't want her son to know about her female problems. ~Mom

Re: Female Docs

[balancefreak]

As a woman, I agree with your Mom. It's an issue of comfort. I don't think that makes the doctor sexist. I think the doctor's perception of her patients' desires/needs makes her more professional, not unprofessional. It's similar to that case we read in PR about the domestic relations attorney in MA who was forced to accept male clients. Most people in our class thought that was bogus (myself one of them). She should be able to choose who she represents and who she doesn't represent. It's her business; she should be able to run it as she pleases. There are lines, of course. And I think those lines come into play when there's no rational reason for whatever the exclusion is. Here, however, your mom has articulated a very compelling reason (and many other females would agree, I'm sure). I'd rather talk to someone who can understand firsthand. I mean no offense to Shawn or any other male doctors when I say this, but you can learn all the medicine you want, but until you actually have a vagina, you can't completely "get it."

[shawnmatt81]

I think it is very, VERY unlikely that this doctor has personally asked each and every patient of hers about their preference for having/not having a male medical student observe/assist in her office practices. I can very much understand that some women may indeed feel uncomfortable with a male student observing them in a very exposed setting. However, so far in my two weeks in the hospital, and in private practice offices for the past two years plus, there has only been one woman who showed any concern about this, and she had been raped, sexually abused, and physically abused. Obviously, every attempt was made to make her feel as comfortable as possible, including not allowing male students, nurses, doctors, etc. in her room. In each and every office or hospital I've been to, the patient is told up front that I am a student, and if they are uncomfortable with my being present I leave the room. It is that simple: ask, and I'm gone! So the patient is allowed to decide for themselves how comfortable they are with a male student

Good Points, Herr Dr.

[shawnmatt81]

Not to disagree with my wife, but I have had two inguinal hernia surgeries (both sides), and I had no problem with there being women in the operating room. Of course, I was mostly to totally knocked out, and by a female anesthesiologist! It should be a matter of personal preference. One thing, however... You may want to check to see if the school was, in fact, aware of the doctor's 'sexual preference' and if it was they who made the mistake to send you there (or to have her as one of the OB/GYN's at all).

Chris's Dad