To not return for medical appointment

[Ruedejean]

Without grossing everyone out with tmi, I've had some problems with my backside for a while. Plucked up the courage to have it looked at by GP which was totally fine and she referred me to a NHS specialist. That appointment finally came up today and all I can say is that it was the worst day of my entire life. I'm not a prude, have given birth and was under no illusions that it would be a dignified experience but I honestly think i have ptsd from today and have cried on and off about it all evening.

I felt totally humiliated, was in pain and a lot of what was done to me wasn't even medically necessary or beneficial for me but I was basically used as a human prop and teaching aid for the day. I'm supposed to go back to be admitted for a procedure in two weeks but really don't think I can handle it psychologically or emotionally even though I know I'll be back to square one medically if I don't take this appointment.

Ring them and tell them you don't consent to being a teaching case. I'd contact pals too to see if they can help.

I'm so sorry, it's awful they made you feel like that.

I presume you mean that you were examined in front of, or by students OP? If that's the case you should have been asked if you were in agreement for this to happen. This is the sort of situation you might have expected back in the 1950's when everyone had the greatest respect, and were often even frightened to speak with a doctor, but I certainly wouldn't have put up with it today.

Also, how do you know that what was done to you wasn't 'medically necessary'? Don't mean this nastily at all, just wonder how you came to this conclusion.

Sorry you feel like this. Do you mean there were students examining/viewing you? What do you mean by not being medically necessary? They should have asked beforehand if students were there and you have a right to say no.
Could you take someone along to the next appointment for support?

What I needed done could have done could have been done in an hour. Instead I was there being poked all day. Things had to be repeated, they said for various reasons, but there were differnt people involved and observing when repeated. The examinations themselves were only one part. It was the general total disregard for dignity from the minute I arrived (tbh the nurses were the worst part) that made me feel like crap. It would have taken small things to make me feel a lot less humiliated and I felt they just didn't care. There was only one person (a very young asian doctor) all day who had an ounce of compassion (they even apologised for the situation I'd been left in and covered me up) but they weren't on the team caring for me and were just one of the many people who pulled the curtain back accidentally looking for someone else and copping an almighty view.

Return...because you obviously have health problem that warrants medical attention.
BUT make it very clear that you do not consent to be used for teaching, and actually, yes , tell them that you were upset by the lack of dignity and privacy last time. Pull them up on it..make a fuss!

Not all nurses and doctors are like that, but I've been in a similar situation (had catheters up the bum to test if my sphincters work, and urodynamics... both by their very nature are humiliating, but in both cases for me the nurses/docs were kind and respectful, even though I felt dreadful) and it is horrible.

But do go back. And tell them..they need to know how you felt, and also to explain what they did and why.