Is this usual practice at Doctor's surgery?

[Mumteedum]

I've just been for my first ever ECG.

It was with a male nurse and a male student nurse. When explaining what would happen, he asked if I had an underwire bra on and if so, I may have to remove it. As it was, they just stuck the stickers under my bra line.

I am really surprised that this happened. Basically laying back on the bed, with my top pulled up and two men with no warning or option to have a female present.

I was ok, but I might not have been. It's quite a vulnerable and intimate thing. Would have thought they'd be a bit more cautious and considerate.

I went for an ecg at the hospital last week.

Straight from work and sitting in my bra when the nurse (sole and female personal present) asked me where I taught. (I’d had my lanyard on).

It was the auntie of a pupil 🫣😂

I had an echo and an ECG at the hospital and specially requested a female HCP. I’d do the same at a GP surgery. I also request female GPs generally.

Nurses can be men! if you are needing a scheduled ecg you should have had a leaflet which explains about underwired bras and to bring someone with you if you would like a chaperone (at least at my surgery they do). A male nurse is just as professional as a female

And flip it around, do men get to request male nurses? A male gp? No they don’t, even urology often has female doctors whereas I’ve not seen a male doctor in gynaecology in 20 years. They are professional, their sex doesn’t matter and we should bring someone with us

I have a heart condition so have had more ECGs and echos than you can shake a stick at and I always have to release my beasts (amply endowed). I really can't bring myself to care about the gender of the person doing their professional job. But I completely understand that other people might be triggered, in which case I would imagine they would do the necessary research/have the necessary conversation with the practice manager/receptionist at the point of booking the appointment. Some people do find it difficult to speak up in the moment, of course they do, but the ideal situation is for those people to make sure they are fully appraised of their options and what their appointment will entail beforehand. No GP surgery worth their salt would ever have an issue with explaining exactly what a procedure involves and what the patient's options are.

I don't want to make a complaint as such but I think this could be better done. Not sure about feeding back. I will think about it.

I think it's harsh to say I was stereotyping. This has been my experience that it has always been female staff at this particular practice.

I am not even saying this is outside normal practice. I came here to ask if it is normal practice. I don't know. I'm not a medical professional. I just thought any intimate procedure/exam might be offered a female or at least told what would happen and have chance to consider it. I had no idea chaperones could be men too, so two men again, surprises me.

@minnienono of course I know male nurses exist. I'm saying there's never been a male nurse at the practice before and I didn't expect it and then was surprised at the bra chat! Sounds like your practice have it right. That leaflet would have been helpful in advance.

They didn't instruct me in undressing actually. I was just kind of pointed to lie down on the bed and they lifted my t shirt.

@itsgettingweird eek !

I’ve had male doctors do my smear test before. To be fair not the last couple so maybe things have changed.

Yes it's normal a male nurse or technician may do an ECG or echo.

And you don't have to complain. You can just politely feedback to the Surgery

I've had to have Ecg's and echos as well as my kids. And it can be a male doing them.

Its an ECG.
On your chest,
How else is it going to be done?

Honestly... I have people coming in to see me about all manner of stuff... eg leg problem... then are surprised that I might actually want to look at the relevant area ' oh these trousers are tight- they wont come up do I have to take them off?''
🙄

I think you’d be wise to share your feedback with the surgery. Feedback doesn’t have to be strongly positive or negative just your experience of the situation. I would say it would be worth having a think about what you would have liked to have happen differently, I suppose them saying I’m so and so the nurse and this is so and so the student are you happy for us to do your ecg today? Also a letter advising you what to wear and that it may be male or female nurses and if this is a problem for you how to request a change.

I would feel a bit awkward with two men also so sympathise with your reaction.

I know what you mean op. I recently had an ultrasound scan at a hospital by two male members of staff (radiographers?) in a small dark room and it was fine but I was surprised and not prepared for it.

I also had to go to A&E recently and wasn’t wearing a bra under my top as it was late at night and I was taken ill suddenly. I had to have an ECG and my top was pulled up. A man came into the room without notice and asked if I wanted a cup of tea! When I had to have another ECG later I told the nurse someone had burst in and she said, I bet it was a man 😐

All in all I have come to the conclusion that all things medical are not very pleasant or private.

Yeah on my chest...so I would have thought above boob not on my bra line underneath them and maybe requiring me to take it off.

Nope.
You're lucky they allowed you to keep your bra on... the leads need to go in rather specific places...

ScaryM0nster: You had a chaperone present.

OP had a nurse and a student nurse. A chaperone is an impartial observer.

Completely normal you can ask for a female chaperone at any point

Er, yes, men can also request a man or woman if they would prefer. No idea why you think they couldn’t?

It’s baffling why you seem to think there might be no circumstances why a woman feeling as though she needs to see another woman for something she feels is intimate; and why you think this has parity when it’s reversed. There’s a very clear statistical and historical track record of why this isn’t the case.

Errr - yes, they do get to request male nurses and doctors 🫣 why on earth do you think they can’t?

Ha, x-post @ObliviousCoalmine 😉

"It’s baffling why you seem to think there might be no circumstances why a woman feeling as though she needs to see another woman for something she feels is intimate; and why you think this has parity when it’s reversed. There’s a very clear statistical and historical track record of why this isn’t the case."

Exactly.

Maybe everyone wants to be seen as cooler than thou. "I struggle understanding your issue, because I am just so much more cool and open and inclusive and accepting. Not like you."

Sometimes, and for some procedures, sex matters. Not all the time. But not never.

Ahh I’d love to be cool! I just have PTSD and a bolshy attitude 😂

They do…

I’ve been doing ecg’s all day. On children from 6months up to 18, so the parents are chaperone unless the patient or parent requests anyone else in, so that is different to the gp.
its hard even with a bra with underwire- so easy to ping the elastic back on the patient & that hurts! I always let them keep t shirts/vests on or if (in the case of some of the teenage girls just wearing basically a underwire bra!) will offer them a hospital gown- put on backwards so it opens like a coat. Then they are able to cover each breast & I can still access where the stickers need to go. They do need to go in exact places to get the most accurate reading & I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to ask someone to hook their boob up.

I think you're being unreasonable. You went in for an ECG, where did you think they were going to put the wires? Of course they were going to touch you on your boobies because that's where the stickers go. Unless they have been fondling you there is no reason to think something was not right. And yes underwire (metal) can disturb the readings so this was an important question. Also : when I went for my ECG I decided to wear a short camisette, so the doctor could put the stickers on under it easily and me not being exposed.

I’ve had more ecgs than I can count ans they rarely cover you up.

I’ve had staff that just ask me to pull my tshirt up so I’m in my wired bra
Some ask me to be in just a bra
some have had my breasts completely exposed if I’ve been in a hospital gown