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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why you would say 'No' to student doctors/nurses helping/observing your care?

540 replies

Whatsnextforus4 · 10/09/2018 11:46

DD has been quite poorly in hospital with bronchiolitis. She's on the mend now and We can go home today.
Since we've been in hospital the care has been fantastic were so so appreciative of the nhs.
We've been asked alot if junior doctors and student nurses can help and observe our daughters care and obviously have said yes. 4 doctors checked her over for discharge today and while it took longer it was 4 sets of ears and eyes ensuring all was ok all overseen by a qualified doctor.
DH got talking to a nurse and she said alot of people do refuse to let them in.
AIBU to wonder why anyone would decline as those are our future doctors and nurses and they will never learn if they can't see and do ALL of the illnesses and problems that they will have to deal with. You can only learn so much from a book.

OP posts:

Bigkingdom · 12/09/2018 15:01

Male/female, student there/not there, i don’t care. As long as me and mine get the treatment we need and get better i don’t mind.

Gilly12345 · 12/09/2018 15:39

I don't understand why people say no as the students are our future doctors and nurses, I had a twin pregnancy 19 years ago and had a natural delivery and had a room full of midwives, doctors/ nurses and students I didn't care as long as myself and my babies were being cared for, back in March I had a new coil fitted at my local hospital and had a male student present, ok I agree it isn't pleasant but I do think students need to see real situations and not just text books.

ALongHardWinter · 12/09/2018 15:39

When I first became I'll with rheumatoid arthritis 24 years ago,(involving 2 hospital stays and frequent visits to the outpatient s' clinic afterwards) I was often asked if students could observe,and on occasion,administer my treatment.. I was always happy to oblige. On one occasion I had a student doctor drawing excess fluid off my knee with a huge syringe. She was so grateful that I let her do it,as it is as rather uncomfortable,if not painful procedure,especially in inexperienced hands!

Rainatnight · 12/09/2018 15:44

Um, Gilly, this whole thread is full of reasons why people say no. What don't you understand?

Meinmytree · 12/09/2018 16:51

I've had many students in appointments before now. Student nurses sitting in on asthma reviews, GP appts filmed for training, trainees taking blood at the blood donors when I was still allowed to donate (which was always more fun for me as I know how much difficulty they'd have and it inevitably ended up with a senior nurse!)...

They need to learn, and as my body is a bit of a medical mystery generally, I'm happy for them to assist.

1HitWonder · 12/09/2018 17:20

Some people may not want to be leered at by even more people in what could be an embarrassing exam by the doctor. Think smear tests etc., I’m not sure about you but I don’t like the 1 doc having a good look let alone another 3 or 4! Different people, different comfort zones

Nicknamesalltaken · 12/09/2018 17:23

Because they made me feel like a piece of meat.

Italiangreyhound · 12/09/2018 17:33

LauraB74 i'm so sorry.

ImAIdoot · 12/09/2018 17:36

Because consent is paramount.

I'm glad you see a clear choice for how you use yours.

Miyah · 12/09/2018 17:49

Oh @LauraB74 I’m so sorry :(

Interesting how many are saying they now say no because of previously allowing students then having a really negative experience.

LeftRightCentre · 12/09/2018 19:09

Also interesting to note how many young women in rather vulnerable circumstances were approached to allow observations and treatments.

WonderTweek · 12/09/2018 19:21

I used to let students join all of my appointments until I had a pregnancy that went wrong and had to go through CVS and amniocentesis. I didn’t want others there but my consultant said that they need to learn so I let them stay. After my CVS I almost passed out and had to lie down for ages and just breathe and the two students kept chatting really merrily about their day and one of them said that they almost passed out when they had their ears pierced as a kid. I’m sure they meant well but I was having these procedures to work out of my baby was going to live or not (sadly she didn’t) and I didn’t really want to listen to their small talk.

When I was giving birth to my living son the midwife tried to pressure me into having students there but I said no, despite me being a people pleaser. I’m sure I’ll let students watch with any future appointments but at least I now know that saying no is ok too.

Miyah · 12/09/2018 19:24

Definitely, I think with situations such as labour and birth it should be spoken about beforehand. If a woman has written on her birth plan that she does not want students present it’s really unfair to then ask her in the latter stages of labour when she is possibly under the effects of medication, in severe pain and may be in a scary situation whether students can come in. Also it should absolutely be specified how many students will be coming in, what sex they are and why they will be there.

tierraJ · 12/09/2018 19:26

When I had a psychiatrist appointment there was a student doctor but I requested them nicely to leave the room as I find talking to my psychiatrist alone difficult enough.

I used to be a Student Nurse so I appreciate that people do have to learn.

Jeippinghmip · 12/09/2018 19:30

It depends. I was referred for an anal fissure. I heard footsteps and was horrified to see a group of medical students heading for me. I told the nurses that I would not be having that lot in with me. 🙀

MulticolourMophead · 12/09/2018 20:08

I've only had students near me twice.

First was when I was in for ELCS for DD. A student midwife came round the curtain and said I'd need to shave for the ELCS, and would I like some help?

Given that I was in no way able to even see the area, let alone shave, I definitely asked for help. She was really nice and chatted away as she wielded the razor.

Second time, a student was in with the MW during my labour and delivery of DS. It was just one, and she was also nice. Again, so helpful, especially after when I got a shower, and able to laugh and joke at 1am.

I hope both of those are doing well in their chosen career.

Whether I say yes or no in future wil depend on the circumstances and whether I feel comfortable.

HandFinisher · 12/09/2018 20:11

A fantastic bloke I used to know got diagnosed with quite advanced prostate cancer during a routine medical when he was relocating to the USA for a couple of years through work.

As it’s something they screen for over there he was very popular with the trainees as they were never likely to see another case like his... he described it as going to the theatre, but he was the show (I believe the most he had watching at any one time was 32)

Fortunately he took it all in great humour and allowed all and sundry to look at his prostate... I use him as my inspiration as I hate being poked even by my gp... but now always let the trainees sit in with me... I have no problem telling them if they are rude/patronising (a couple have been over the years) and making them look stupid if th

HandFinisher · 12/09/2018 20:11

They are asking for it (hit post too soon... sorry)

ConfusedMum82 · 12/09/2018 20:14

I've had this twice in a month. The 1st one I said yes, I had a lump in my breast (was a cyst), young female very nervous junior doctor who was lovely and I didn't mind at all.
Last week, asked at GP but was with DH, actually had had to drag him to the GP and I said no, nothing against the trainee but it was hard enough to get DH there and get him to seek help about how bad his depression, anxiety and his drinking to handle this (even though it doesn't help at all), I think having anyone observing would've made him clam up and would have meant a wasted trip.

ocelot41 · 12/09/2018 20:16

I have declined a male student being present at a smear. History of sexual violence, wasn't prepared for it, and was feeling a bit wobbly that day anyway.

TwistedStitch · 12/09/2018 21:03

Turnitaroundagain your experience is really upsetting. I cannot imagine how anybody let alone a medical professional could think it acceptable to ask a 16 year old girl to be practiced on like that by a whole group of men. It's abusive actually.

LauraB74 I'm so sorry for what you went through.

Fantail · 12/09/2018 21:09

I was hospitalised for the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy. As I was bored they sent groups of medicine students in to practice taking case notes about my medical history.

Amused me when they asked about which contraception I was currently using

Having said that I can think of times when I would not want students present and I think when they are the patient should be asked for feed back about how they have acted.

I’ve also had student nurses in when I’ve been to the diabetes clinic at the hospital. On one occasion one knew more than the registrar I was seeing.

delphguelph · 12/09/2018 21:11

Late to the party but when a student asked to give me a cervical examination to feel a breech baby I had to admit I declined. I had already been checked four times.

OhTheRoses · 12/09/2018 22:30

If only it were always prefaced by "it would be very helpful if x, y, z cpuld observe, if you don't mind and are happy to give your consent. I think with a little more respect most people would be very willing. The problem is not so much with the observation but how they go about it in my humble opinion.

Tessabelle1 · 12/09/2018 23:41

@drspouse I'm aware that in some cases you can ask for the same sex practitioner but what if there isn't one, would they then refuse treatment?

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