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?

@nahhh88 it’s okay to be embarrassed and it’s okay to complain if you would like to.

Contacting the practice might be helpful for both you and others that find themselves in the same situation. If you don’t feel able to you can ask someone to advocate on your behalf.

It is not up to anyone else to decide whether it is a big deal or not.

Every woman, of a certain age, should have smear tests.

OP I can understand why you aren't happy, she has no right to discuss your private medical records in front of the other patients, even if it was for a flu jab, it's still not professional on her part, if anything she should have just put a note on your records and let the doctor remind you to book one, then you could phone and book it without an audience.

You have a right to medical privacy just as any other. The receptionist has violated your privacy because she is not a medical professional and she should not be accessing your records in a place where anyone can hear the conversation without your consent.
It's no more violating that having the letter being sent to your door and then being opened by someone else and read allowed.
Phone the practice manager and demand an apology.

"Hello Mr.Jones, you are overdue for your erectile dysfunction appointment. I'll repeat that for you as your hearing test is next week also. YOUR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION review is due soon. Shall I book you in?"
All ears to manual in the waiting room, and a red faced Mr.Jones shuffles out.
Same thing innit? Privacy in such matters is the key, it is not free entertainment for the waiting room.

It's your body and your choice if you choose to have one. There are risks involved on both sides of the coin. You will have done endless research into the idea before you come to an informed decision.

I agree re the general attitude of GP receptionist towards patient privacy. It's been on ongoing issue for the majority of people since the dawn of the time. It really should be addressed however I don't think being due a routine medical appointment, that all women should get regularly is private medical information.

It's no more private than being due a general check-up or covid vax. It doesn't reveal anything about you other than you have a cervix which is probably apparent to 99% of the population.

I agree that the receptionist should not have spoken so loudly about a smear test. It might be “just one part of the body” but it is a part that is generally kept private and it was embarrassing for you. It brought to mind the time, several years ago, when I was waiting for a smear test myself in a very crowded waiting room. I had forgotten to mention it to DH and, sure enough, my phone rang when it never normally would at that time and it was DH. “Violinist, where are you?” I replied that I was in the doctor’s waiting room. “Why, are you ill?” My DH has a very loud voice at the best of times because of slight deafness so the waiting room could hear his voice and I could see heads moving towards my direction expectantly. My response was that it was just a test. In even more stentorian tones DH then asked: “Are you pregnant, Violinist?” I could see open-mouthed expectation from the other inhabitants of the waiting. I then said no and that I would tell him later. Never was l so glad to escape the waiting room and reach my appointment.

Yes, I can't see anyone shouting about that.

my surgery sends text reminders about smear tests, no matter how many times you opt out. But that's a much better way to handle it.

how much is the payment now? I have a figure if between £200 and £500 per test in my head?

A young woman stood cringing the last time I was there while the receptionist graphically explained how to obtain a stool sample!

It really shouldn’t be the receptionist’s job to explain intimate and sensitive details like this. These jobs should be done by nurse practitioners or, in extremis, an HCA. Receptionists should be doing admin only.

I hope so

I am seeing increasing awareness on MN now. IRL there is no longer complete horror if you ever say you don't have them.

Two points I want to make:

1. It is not a receptionist's role to make any kind of comment about any procedure to a patient.
2. The mention of some tests and procedures can be upsetting for some people, as a survivor of several incidences of sexual assault including one by a doctor when I was 15 I personally struggle with anything to do with intimate procedures. They make me feel scared and powerless. i am lucky as at the practice I attend they are very sensitive about my history

It’s comforting to see so many on here are so blasé about discussing the reasons you don’t want a smear within full earshot of half the neighbourhood, including whether you have or had not had sex yet (it sounds like that’s the way the conversation was going for the OP).

Yes. In our hospital we’d be fired for this

Whether you're sexually active or not, you still need a Pap smear. Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV, which is sexually transmitted. However, not all cervical cancers stem from HPV, so Pap tests are necessary whether you're sexually active or not.

The fact that you shouldn't feel embarrassed about having, or not having had, a smear teat is utterly irrelevant. You medical history should be private. It's not for us or anyone to tell you what you should be comfortable with.

The reality is different. Most of us will have been on hospital wards with medical staff who really seem to think that pulling a curtain around a bed creates a soundproof bubble. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try though.

Complain to the practice manager.

My defective prostate gland isn’t embarrassing to me and I have become used to discussing it with the medical profession. However I think it’s a matter between me and them. The whole world does not need, (nor I suspect want), to know.

You aren’t sorry though are you? You just wanted to put the boot in.

And it’s you who is ignorant about what is appropriate regarding sensitive personal information, which this is. That’s a fact, not an opinion.

Nope

Smears do not pick up these cancers.

That’s what if you have vaginal bleeding note when you expect it you need to see a doc. To pick these other causes up

smears are only for hpv caused cancers
https://www.cancer.org.au/cervicalscreening/about-the-test/what-about-non-hpv-related-cervical-cancers#

I suspect from your use of the term Pap you are not in the U.K., so you may be correct where you live, but in the U.K. a smear test is only for HPV, and cells are only examined if it is present. So there is no chance of the test picking up abnormal cells unless you are also HPV positive.

Seems odd that in these days of GDPR and data protection that GPs are not mindful of patient confidentiality, be that about smear tests, date of birth, address or anything.

I think a man might be embarrassed if the receptionist announced that he was overdue a prostate exam loud enough for the whole waiting room to hear.
It’s not for MN to tell the OP whether or not she should be embarrassed. The fact is that she was and many women are. These types of experiences are likely to put women who are embarrassed off going to see their GPs.

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, get booked in