Lack of Modesty Concerns for Male Patients

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Govanore
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Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:47 pm
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by Govanore on Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:06 pm

Lack of Modesty Concerns for Male Patients

Why do medical professionals and clinicians ignore modesty and privacy issues for Men?

To obtain medical treatment Men usually have to get past a female receptionist at their GP surgery who will ask for the details and nature of the enquiry or problem (and usually in earshot of the mainly women and child patients in the waiting room). The waiting area is covered with women's magazines, women and child heath notices. If referred to the Practice Nurse the male patient will almost always see a female nurse - no choice locally or regionally. There may be an opportunity to express the gender of a GP for any intimate examination although sensitivity to the patients needs is generally lower than for women in my experience.

If the man is referred to hospital or other secondary care unit they will be met again by female receptionists and assessed by female nurses, even when they attend a male urology clinic or other male health clinic.

Men are expected to be comfortable undressed and examined by women, and observed by women and yet the same is not true for female patients who have the luxury of being offered gender sensitive carers and clinicians. In fact, mammography screening is exclusively the domain of woman, but not prostate screening which includes digital rectal examinations.

Men have problems taking time off work and many feel uncomfortable in an unwelcoming, feminised medical setting. Until more male staff are recruited and trained the bias in care will continue and men will continue to suffer more, with earlier deaths and worst health outcomes.

The NHS Choices website only lists the gender of GPs. It does not explain how male patients can express a preference for the gender of their clinician. However, NHS Choices does encourage Women to express a preference when they are being treated.

Why do urology clinics think it is acceptable for men to discuss incontinence and erectile dysfunction with a specialist urology nurse who is a woman? Is there any appreciation that some men do require the same level of modesty as women?

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Debbie Gordon
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Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:33 pm
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by Debbie Gordon on Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:40 pm

Re: Lack of Modesty Concerns for Male Patients

As a female clinician, I treat men and I wholeheartedly support your concerns. I think that you have made some extremely valid points that do need to be taken seriously. However, as I am sure that you are aware part of the problem is as a result of the professions being female dominated (Nursing, Reception staff,) making it a difficult area to address.
Debbie Gordon
Independent Specialist Physiotherapist in Bladder & Bowel Health

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... gordon.php

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