To think doctors should ask before bringing students to talk to a patient

[thedaywewillremeber]

Ds saw a liaison psychiatrist in a&e this week. He brought along a medical student. Ds finds it hard to talk about his problems anyway never mind with an extra person. Aibu to think they should ask?

They should confirm you are comfortable with it yes

Dr's have always asked when it's happened to me.

They should ask permission. I always say yes except when I went for my very first smear test at 20yo (live in Scotland), I felt very uncomfortable as it was and didn't want a spectator.

Usually they do ask if a student can be present. Is it a known teaching hospital? Most medical "students" are already qualified they are just on a rotation. So they are able to see patients on their own.
But this is all irrelevant if your son didn't feel comfortable with others in the room. Maybe mention it to the department or PALS if you feel it needs clarification. It's not aways about telling off the doctors/students involved it can be a constructive way of making sure protocols are followed.
Hope this helps

Yep they should ask

My biggest issue is the tend to ask but when the student(s) are there so it's awkward

I've had it twice, once during my first smear test! And the other time was when I was 15 and awaiting abdominal surgery so was just in my underwear awaiting a robe!

They should definitely ask.

They should ask shouldn’t they? Although when I said no to a student midwife they were pretty persistent and I had to swear lots to get her to realise I didn’t want anyone else in the room 🙈

Yep they should ask. I've always been asked when Dr, nurse, Councillor whoever brings in student.

They have the students with them and ask if ok for them to stay. Ackward to ask them to leave but you soon get used to do it without feeling bad about it.

I’m pretty sure they asked, if your child doesn’t feel comfortable asking for the student to bigger off, have a quick word with the doctor/nurse before the session starts.

How did your son know it was a medical student and not a junior doctor if the consultant/registrar didn't ask whether the student's presence was OK?

He arrived to assess him and said I’m dr x this is y she’s a medical student.

Friend of mine, about to give birth, was asked if a student of some kind could attend. She replied 'You can bring the bloody window cleaner in for all I care!'

I been seen by Doctors accompanied by students many times but they have always ask me if I was ok with that.

I’ve always been asked if I’m happy to have a student in the consultation.

The doctors should ask and if not patients are well within their rights to request that the student leaves.

NHS worker here who also has students sometimes; they definitely should have asked and ideally before your DS was in the room so he didn't feel pressured to say yes. I've always allowed students to observe me as a patient, but interestingly the one time I overtly requested no (my birth plan and when in labour) they ignored my wish. Informed consent to be observed is important, I'm sorry this didn't happen in this case and that it was distressing for your son.

Yes they should ask.

I also think they should ask before bringing the student. It's harder to say no when they are there.

My ds has a rare disorder and his neuro often asks if students can attend consult and see examinations. We always say yes. His consultant has always been open it's because most will only see ds with the condition in their career let alone training so it's good experience.

Both ds and I really felt we were given proper opportunity to give informed consent.

We don’t always ask tbh unless it’s intimate procedures or delicate discussions, but we’re a large teaching hospital and have signs everywhere saying often students will be present and you can request to them not to be if you’re not comfortable.

Absolutely yes! My surgery is a training practice and they always ask.

They should have asked your son. I remember being made to strip infront of students at a young age. I objected but was told I wasn’t allowed to.

I’m a midwife so work alongside many medical professionals. They should always ask consent first before bringing anyone else into the consultation. It’s not acceptable that you were not asked and given the opportunity to decline.

They should ask and make sure they have permission before entering the room.
I had a whole mob just enter the room during my colposcopy, if I wasn't so taken aback, and off my head on diazapam I would have objected.

Your son will benefit those that come after him.

When he said "this is y the medical student", he probably assumed you'd say no actually I dont want the student in.

Trouble is most HCPs dont realise that such situations are quite intimidating and that people struggle to speak up if unprepared. I've been caught out myself in a similar way. Gynae appt didnt get asked "is it ok for the medical student to stay?" If it had been phrased as a choice I probably would have said no.

Things didn't go to plan, I got emotional about the situation as the dr was trying to change planned treatment. I also kept thinking I'm sure I taught her once and couldn't think straight and got more upset arguing with dr about treatment. In the end I said "can the student leave?", which bless her she couldn't do fast enough probably because I did teach her....

A chat with pals if you feel like doing so may be helpful as its.all about how the situation is posed to the patient. As an HCP myself, I've found the way you phrase things has an impact on how the patient accepts students or not.