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.

But thats you and even though I feel the same as you and iv also recieved better care from males. I can still open my brain enough to understand why not everyone feels like this. Its a personal choice that each individual has to make for themselves.

I had a Doppler on my vageegee (varicose veins) and I had to take my pants off and the (poor) radiographer had to position himself on the floor. There was another man in the room, possibly a student but I guess he counted as a chaperone. All very awkward but honestly, I just felt grateful to get the appointment etc. I guess if it was the other way around (female doctor, male patient), I wouldn't expect there to be an issue either. Anyway, it’s probably best to ask for a female beforehand but weigh up whether that risks waiting longer to be seen.

I think it’s quite normal. I’ve worked with tonnes of male nurses and had patients ask to be attended to by females if possible (also the odd male patient who has preferred males). It’s completely unpredictable what gender of health care professional anyone would prefer. Also there often isn’t the available staff to facilitate, especially in a busy GP surgery as the number of staff will be much less than say on a ward. Given that you didn’t have to remove your bra it is significantly less intimate, I expect they would have thought you knew what an ECG entailed prior to the appointment.

All that being said, they could have offered you a female chaperone. Perhaps there wasn’t one available though? Most surgeries I’ve ever been to have posters all over the walls saying to ask if you want one but you may need to wait sort of thing. Good you weren’t bothered though and got it done! Hopefully all is well.

Iv had it a couple of times where female health care workers have said where all women here as their pulling my gown off. Iv never had a male hcw do anything like that.

Well, no, because he isn't a woman ffs

Are you purposely acting stupid 🙄

I dont get it nor the issue.
Trauma or not.

The women who think it is fine do not speak for all women

You don’t need to ‘get it’ (hoping you’re not a HCP, having said that).

HCPs do need to ‘get it’.

Your inability to comprehend something actually quite simple doesn’t negate its existence.

Would you have had the same response if it had been a doctor rather than a nurse?
Bit of overreaction imo and not an "intimate" examination.
However next time you have any kind of appointment you might want to ask for a female if it bothers you so much.

Again with the confrontational posts. Ok, thanks to the reasonable people. I'm done now.

You are allowed your reaction OP, our instincts/ gut feelings as women are what have kept us alive since the beginning of time. Shutting them down is unwise. Read The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

I had no idea I’d have to be half naked for an ecg until I had my first one.how or earth would someone know here they experienced it?!?

And I agree OP, it’s an oddly intimate procedure often done in a really small room ime. I have all and sundry examine my vulva/vagina and I couldn’t care less. When I had to have an ECG with two people, one male, in basically a cupboard with me lying there half naked it was really uncomfortable and embarrassing. I didn’t expect feel like that but would probably ask for a female next time.

On a separate note I’m surprised they let you keep your bra on. I’ve had to take it off at every ecg I’ve had. And I’ve had quite a few. The pads have to go under where the bra covers.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a tvs with a man.

You've mentioned a lot of things that you wish had happened.

It would be best to feed back for other peoples experience.

When DH last went for a chest X-ray, the female radiology receptionist told him just to take his top off while he was waiting for his turn. No offer of a gown, although that didn't bother DH, who will never pass up an opportunity to bare his chest.

So is your issue that they were both men? Or that they didn’t explain the procedure to you?

if you were uncomfortable with a male why didn’t you just say so? If you wanted things explaining why didn’t you ask?

Why didn’t you just do this or that?? What on earth is this remark about. The OP may have felt a bit vulnerable at the time, don’t you think? Are you a man? Or just unaware?

A nurse is not a trained physician.