If you're female AIBU to ask if you're ok with male health professionals at all times and in any scenario?

[DockerDre]

It's just that question really.

Never really thought about why chaperones insisted on and it annoyed me at the time

I guess it's to prevent accusations of misconduct. But I've never had to have a chaperone with a female doctor. I wouldn't have minded if they were just in the room and subtle, but she had her eyes on me the entire time.

Having been through a year's worth of treatment for breast cancer and seen a large number of HCPs, including two of the most caring and gentle male surgeons you could ever hope to meet, I would never make any assumption about an HCP based on their sex. I wouldn't insist on seeing a female HCP for anything but I do realise that a male HCP doing something intimate will require a chaperone, so in the interests of letting HCPs do more useful things with their time than chaperoning, I might well book in with a female GP for something requiring an intimate examination.

The chaperones are for protection...the patient's and doctor's.

While the majority of HCP are safe to be alone with patients, there are still some that have taken advantage of their position and would still try to do so.

Apologies Lime I've only seen the most recent man so thought it was only 1.

I feel like I'm in the Life of Brian sketch with all of the women disguised as men and John Cleese screaming "Are there any women here?"

@DecomposingComposers that made me lol, that Monty Python sketch is exactly what it's like!

The chaperones are for protection...the patient's and doctor's

And yet the chaperone only served to make me feel more vulnerable, not less.

When I was 14 my mum took me to the doctor to check I wasn't pregnant(long fucked up story). Apparently the only way to check was on his own and an internal. He rummaged for a while,and I don't know if that might be normal. It wasn't really the issue and I'm over it .

What stayed with me were his words (in a situation that was awkward,uncomfortable,scary and embarrassing enough)
"There is some damage down there, but if you're a good girl you'll be good as new . You're still really tight so just stay out of trouble".

Well it never used to bother me male or female but I have had a few occasions where I came away feeling a bit uncomfortable/uneasy. I therefore now ask for a female for anything intimate. I have had very professional care from some males but when you get one dodgy consultation puts you right off!!

Yoursarcasm that is awful

Don't care as long as they are competent.

I really can't see how a male Gynie, can empathize with women's gynaecological issues, they have never felt period pain, had a baby, or menopause.

@DecomposingComposers

You do realise that not all female drs will have experienced these either?

Don't be pedantic. The vast majority of female doctors/HCAs will have experienced pregnancy and childbirth, periods, or the menopause. Maybe not all of those things, but certainly at least one of them!

In addition, like many women, many female doctors/HCAs will have experienced cystitis, thrush, miscarriage, breast screening, breast cancer, cervical cancer, hysterectomy, HRT, birth injuries, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, abortion, cervical smears, or uterine fibroids.

Men will not have experienced the majority of these!!!

In addition, many women who have been sexually harassed or sexually abused, have been harassed and abused by a man, not a woman!

So of COURSE many women will prefer to see a woman for anything intimate or private. Why the hell should they NOT have this right?

I can't believe some of the shit I am reading on this thread by SOME posters claiming to be women. Basically dismissing and minimising womens fears and worries and telling them to calm down, and chill, and that their opinions and views are silly or irrelevant, and not to be ranty and angry.

FFS! It's bad enough having to take this shit from men. We shouldn't have to take it from other women - trying to shut down women who want female only doctors and HCAs.

YourSarcasm, that is a nauseating incident. How horrific.

Would depend on the situation and procedure.

I wouldn’t rule out having something intimate done by a male HCP but I would prefer a female if one was available. Would probably reschedule something like a smear if offered a male HCP.

As a general rule I wouldn't usually care if the HCP is male or female. The exception to this was when I had my coil put in ages ago - I had been advised beforehand that a female doctor was doing it, but on the day of the appointment I noticed the screen told me to see a different doctor I hadn't heard of. The dr turned out to be a man. For some women that surprise could cause some distress and it definitely threw me when I went through the door and saw the doctor.

At the same surgery I went to see a different (male) doctor about a lump on my breast and he immediately brought in a chaperone. I was embarrassed at having her just sit there and watch, it was all a bit weird, I'd have preferred to go without the audience and have a choice in the matter!

Each to their own I guess.
I've had a male midwife, surgeons and all sorts over the years and as long as they are competent etc I'm happy. Occasionally waiting to see a hcp of specific gender can cause a serious delay and risk to the patient but each individual has to make that choice.

Chaperones are necessary to protect doctors against accusations as well as to protect patients against misconduct by the doctor. They would be very foolish not to have one, whether the patient wants it or not. No patient should have the right to decline a chaperone (though should of course be allowed to request one of the same sex).

No, it wouldn't bother me for any aspect of medical care. I'm grateful for the level of service and access we have in the UK so any professional that has trained for years to do the role is fine.

I was offered a chaperone at my last smear - female nurse doing it.

I disagree about chaperones being required if a patient doesn't want one. As for doctors being concerned that they'll be wrongfully accused, that's close to suggesting that women lie about inappropriate behaviour.

If a chaperon isn't wanted by me and their presence causes me distress, why should I have to tolerate them simply to put the doctor's fear at rest regardless of my discomfort ?

I was offered a chaperone at my last smear - female nurse doing it

I've been offered chaperones for smears too, but I've always had the option to say no, until the breast exam.

Saying thank you but no, is always an option. Always. Women should never feel compelled to tolerate their boundaries being breached just because it's a healthcare setting.

This is a historic moment for me- I have never said “but what about the men?” before, but surely a male HCP should be allowed to insist on a chaperone for their own protection?

Conflicted about that, of course-NHS waiting times are such that a woman might feel she couldn't say no and risk another massive wait.....

but surely a male HCP should be allowed to insist on a chaperone for their own protection?

I do agree. But I, as a patient, should be given an option and not be told to change, and when the curtain opens be told 'this is nurse x, she is chaperoning'.

Their own protection from what ?

All those women who will falsely accuse them ? Chaperones are intended primarily to benefit and protect the patient and the NHS is clear that a patient has the right to reject an offer of having a chaperone.