Content Warning - A and E (Trauma mentioned)

[JesterMcFester]

Please be gentle.

I was advised to go to A and E to rule out internal bleeding. I had some bloods done and a doctor called me a few hours later. Didn't ask any history except she could see on the system why I was there. She would have also been able to see I have a severe mental health trauma diagnosis - well two - on those records.

She said she would need to examine me, lie down face the wall, but never explained it would be an internal examination. I've never had anything like this before so it wasn't something I knew to expect.

She then proceeded to insert her finger with zero explanation as to what she was doing which took about 30 seconds. Then told me to get dressed and leave.

There was a chaperone in the room.

I feel really weird about the whole thing but i am not sure if I am being unreasonable or if it was OK to expect some sort of explanation as to what would happen?

Of course there should have been explanation. You can feed back to PALS if you feel inclined. The doctor (and probably backed up by the chaperone) will probably say they explained before and had informed consent, and assuming they documented as such at the time it's unlikely anything will come from it. But it might prompt them to improve their communication and consent taking for the future.

That is not okay.
I chaperone all the time and I’ve never had a Dr not explain that there will be
‘a little bit of cold jelly, just examining you by putting my finger inside, may feel some pressure, let me know if you feel any pain etc.’
Totally unacceptable and you should raise a complaint.

Thank you very much for the reply. I do realise it's a bit different because my GP knows my history but she always, always explains everything and gives me a chance to ask questions before she does a smear test for instance.

It's just really shocked me and caused a lot of flash backs.

I was trying to work out whether I was over reacting.

The chaperone wasn't in the room until I was lying down undressed, and left before I got up.

Thank you @HCAokay - none of that was said to me.

You were presumably asked to remove your clothes from the waist down, was there no mention at all of an internal examination?

Yes, I was - I thought they would look at the external part as it's been quite sore - there was no mention of an internal examination at all, and no warning she was going to insert anything into me.

@Mamamamasaurus

You were presumably asked to remove your clothes from the waist down, was there no mention at all of an internal examination?

Yes, I was wondering about this too. If they didn't explain what they were planning to do, what was the reason for removing your clothes?

Sorry cross posted

Oh they said they were going to examine me - and to remove my clothes.

There was just no explanation of what the examination involved, or warning she was going to insert something into me.

Sorry if i have not explained that well.

I’m a nurse and I often have to do intimate examinations and procedures.

To gain informed consent, a health care professional should explain everything they’re about to be doing, regardless of previous traumas. I think the language used by the doctor was poor, and probably presumptive that you knew what she meant when she said she’d need to examine you in the position you were in. I always explain exactly what I need to do, what it is likely to feel like, that I will be gentle but if anything hurts or that you want me to stop say and I will. I also ask if they understand what I’ve said, if there are any questions and if they’re ready to begin. Ideally this will happen before removal of clothes and underwear too.

I think it would be a good idea to contact PALS, not to make a complaint as such but to explain what happened and how it made you feel. This Doctor may need reminding or retraining in the language they use and gaining informed consent.

You've explained it perfectly. It's part of asking consent that the doctor or med professional should explain to you what's happening. You should also feel comfortable to say stop at any time. Chaperone or not, they should explain what they're doing before and during to make sure you know what's going on and to allow you to give informed consent.

I'm sorry it's distressed you, it's perfectly understandable that you feel uncomfortable about what happened. When you're ready, contact PALS and explain what happened. Someone can speak for you if you don't want to tell them directly. I think there's a way to email them too if you don't want to phone them.

Thank you, if I raise it through pals to remind staff will they know it is me who has raised it?

I just worry about future treatment there.

They will know as they will likely have to prepare a statement in response, for which they will review the clinical notes.
It will not effect your future treatment though. It's unlikely you will ever cross this physician again anyway.

Ok thank you - I am just trying to see if there's a time span to raise it and maybe seek some help before I do.

For professional reasons I read a piece of research about how cancer patients were communicated with and there was alot in there about medical professionals who thought they had explained and obtained consent but the patients hadn't understood or misunderstood etc often because HCP had used technicalor formal terms.. It maybe something similar happened hear. I think you be very reasonable to feedback to PALS that you had this experience and weren't expecting what happened. Make it clear it is feedback not a complaint (unless you want to complain). Reading the report made me more careful about how I communicate and test understanding in my non medical working life.

I was also wondering if it's because I my title Dr on my medical records? However, even then surely it should be been explained or I should have at least been asked if I knew what would happen.