To not what the GP receptionist to loudly proclaim that I'm overdue for a smear test in the waiting room?

[nahhh88]

I went into the GP surgery for a completely unrelated manner, and when the GP receptionist pulled up my profile she said I'm overdue for my smear test, and did I want to book in for the smear test. I just said I'll book it another time and tried to get her to stop talking. I've never had a smear test as I'm a virgin and had the HPV vaccines as a teenager, and I have no intention of having one done any time soon.

I felt really embarrassed knowing everyone in the waiting room will have heard (the chairs are all very close to the reception desk, there's no privacy so you end up knowing everyone's private medical details said aloud for everyone to hear. As I walked out this old man made eye contact with me and I just felt really embarrassed by it.

AIBU to think GP receptions need to have more privacy and things handled more quietly and sensitively?

I’m as pro smear tests as they come, but a good friend was a virgin post 25 and was told by the doctor that she didn’t need one unless she was sexually active. So I assume the embarrassment was the fact that OP didn’t want to have to disclose that she was a virgin in public, to say why she didn’t need one. I know ‘no’ is a complete answer etc but receptionists can be really persistent. Reminders can be sent out in a private and non-obtrusive way (text, call, email, letter).

To address the flu vaccine analogy, it’s like having someone try and push you into having a flu jab when you have an autoimmune condition. You shouldn’t feel like you have to declare your medical conditions/status in public in order to justify declining a test.

They didn’t reveal anything. She asked about a smear test. What about that is embarrassing? Why is it shameful?

Being reminded about an overdue smear test when its been flagged on the system is not unreasonable. She won't know you're a virgin and don't want a test. There's no stigma in having a cervix.

Reminding all patients about an overdue test might save a life.

There just doesn't seem to be much care taken around patient privacy.
I've had nurses walk in while I'm being examined, doctors shout Knock Knock and then just walk in without waiting for a reply, doctors disappearing to get a chaperone and bringing them in without saying a word. It's not ok.

i cant see from the post where this poor receptionist shouting?
All she’s done is her job and tell op that she needs a smear.
sorry op but what is embarrassing about that?
i doubt the old man was doing anything other than look at you as you sat down ( just as i would if someone was coming into the waiting room, it’s automatic).

It doesn’t matter other people are not embarrassed about smear tests or not, the op felt embarrassed and didn’t want her medical details on public broadcast.

I would write an email or letter to the practice manager expressing your concern that personal and sensitive information was being disclosed in a public arena.

I agree with pp that it's poor form when GP receptionists shout out any sensitive medical information. But that you're overdue a smear test isn't sensitive because it will be offered to all women over 25 (or possibly a different age if you're in a different country), so unless you're trying to hide your age or sex there's nothing really private about it. Ideally, they wouldn't say anything about you in the hearing of others, but it's not the worst thing that could have been shared.

The thing I don't understand is why they ask you to publicly announce what your illness is when making an appointment. Presumably it is to allow them to triage who actually needs a GP and who should be signposted elsewhere, but since I and anyone else if I've overheard only gives the minimum details ('gyne problems'/ 'my leg'/ 'mental health'/'back pain') and there are never any follow up questions, it's practically useless and just serves to make them seem nosy.

I agree with pps who've said that the fact that you are eligible for a smear test isn't private information. It doesn't reveal anything personal about you.

I don't get the bit about the man making eye contact. Why would it be embarrassing that he heard a passing, general mention of a type of test you haven't even had?

It's a bit like that mythical Victorian thing of 'must cover up those piano legs, because, you know, legs'

Spot on.

All medical information is private and confidential. No receptionist should be shouting or talking in a loud voice about your confidential information. She could have twisted the screen to you and said this is overdue.

Sorry but I think that it is great that you have a GP surgery that is committed to preventative care and tries to get you to book the test. I would look at it that way rather than any other. There is no cause for any embarrassment and personally I think it is not appropriate to complain about this. Our public services have much better things to focus on.

Yes I get a text when I am due for a blood test. I no longer have a cervix but if I needed a smear I don't see why they couldn't do the same.

@nahhh88 I am sorry you have got such a hard time on this thread.

I agree with you that the receptionist should have been more discreet. Information relating to your personal data was discussed loudly and publicly. That is unacceptable.

Many years ago a receptionist at my then practice boomed across the waiting room, "your smears overdue, do you want to book it?". It was inappropriate and she should have asked me quietly when I checked in. The only other person in the waiting room happened to be dd's deputy headmaster!

My answer was no I didn't wish to book it, she was told to be mindful of my private medical matters in future and I complained to the GP during my appointment. The GP was not impressed.

FWIW every woman has the right to decide whether they wish to have a smear test or not. No should suffice. I've just had the conversation over the phone with a caller from my practice this morning. I asked who did them and was told the nurses. I declined on the basis of previous experience and was told our nurses are lovely and really good. I reiterated the answer was no. I was asked if I was sure. I reiterated "no". Women are allowed to say no without an inquisition. If I feel I want a smear test, I'll arrange a well woman appointment with a suitably qualified gynaecologist. Interestingly when a gynaecologist has taken the smear: it has never hurt, it has never been inadequate and led to a recall and there has never been any blood. Neither have there been any inappropriate or insensitive comments.

It costs about £400 - worth every penny for expertise and dignity.

It's not that everyone doesn't know that most women have cervixes, it's the speaking about part of the reproductive system of a particular woman with strangers within hearing can make her uncomfortable.

I’d look at this from this point of view- the medical practice have a duty of care to all their patients i’d say they be negligent if they didn’t take every opportunity to offer any kind of screening appointment once a patient is overdue whether it be a smear or anything else. Its easy for someone to ignore a letter or not get round to booking an appointment but harder to when its face to face.

The whole point of screening is that everyone gets it so they can identify a minority of patients in the early stages of a disease before symptoms appear. I’m sorry you found this embarrassing but the receptionist might just save someones life one day by offering an appointment.

YABU

Last time I was waiting at the beauty salon, a woman next to me started chatting to me. She kept whispering about her nephew who has celebral palsy. Literally whispering and once just mouthing the words, so that I actually didn't understand what she was saying and thought it must be something quite shameful. Then she shouted to the receptionist on the desk a few feet away to look up how much it would cost to get a bikini wax and her bum hole done. She shouted at least three times that she didn't want a full brazilian, just around the bum hole. I was looking at her like 🤔did you acidentally (repeatedly) say the quiet part out loud?!

Although I don't think the receptionist did anything wrong I can also see op point of view. Considering the op is a virgin so hasn't had children and potentially hasn't been on contraception and I'm assuming is still quite young so possibly hasn't spent a lot of times in medical settings then it is embarrassing. It's only as you get older and are in these situations more and spend more times having certain tests,.examinations and talking about more personal issues that the embarrassment goes away. Can't you all remember the embarrassment of the first time getting contraception or buying sanitary products.

I am very much in the camp that reception areas at GP surgeries need to be more private. It’s not that I am embarrassed about smear tests, bowel tests or whatever, it’s simply that I don’t need my address, date of birth and whatever else the receptionist needs to check , to be announced to all in the queue. That is my personal data and there’s no need for everyone else to know it.

It’s not down to the receptionist, it’s the design. It cannot be that hard to have a little bit of segregation.

Hi there - I'm sorry to hear that you felt embarassed by this experience. Even though you are not sexually active and have had the vaccinations, please do go for your smear tests when they are due. They are quick, they may be a little uncomfortable, but as someone who works in oncology, I've seen first hand how beneficial they have been in prevention and detection of cancer. It is nothing to be embarassed about - the only thing those in the waiting room now know is that you have a cervix, and I'm certain nobody gave it a second thought. We are lucky to have routine screening available so please do think about going for your smear test.

No, YANBU to think that GP receptions should have more privacy and handle things more quietly and sensitively. It is understandable that you felt embarrassed by the situation, especially considering the lack of privacy in the waiting room. It might be worth mentioning your concerns to the GP or the practice manager so that they can take it into consideration and potentially make improvements in the future.

While smear tests are a routine examination and an important part of women's healthcare, it is important to remember that everyone has different comfort levels and personal boundaries. Some individuals may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing or undergoing certain medical procedures, even if they are routine. It is a personal and subjective response, and it is valid for someone to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable in such situations. It is important to respect and acknowledge individual feelings and experiences.

It is possible that OP may feel embarrassed because they have not had a smear test before and are a virgin. These factors can contribute to feelings of discomfort or embarrassment as they may be unfamiliar with the procedure or have personal beliefs or concerns related to their virginity.

I'm not sure what my GP surgery is like now as I haven't been since before Covid but I know our local walk in centre is like that. I had to go last year and I could hear every word from the poor woman in front of me. I'd already typed my issue into my phone so I could show the receptionist which got an eye roll.

It was bad enough the world and his wife knowing my name, address and phone number without them knowing the reason I was there!

100% this I don't appreciate my phone number and address being shouted out in a waiting room

But now that smear tests only test for HPV, what would be the use if someone has never had sex or oral sex? They only check abnormal cells if HPV is present, right?

Agh that was a reply to @spookybee