I just got a copy of my surgical report, and read it. Turns out during the last hydrodistention/cystoscopy I had a pelvic exam was done on me while I was knocked out.
I was not told ahead of time that this would happen (nor told after the fact - I only learned by reading the surgical report) and I was not given a chance to give informed consent.
It's common for teaching hospitals to allow med students to practice pelvic exams on female patients - as soon as a woman is asleep, teaching hospitals bring in hordes of young medical students (usually male) to perform pelvic exams. Sometimes up to six or seven at a time. In my case, only two medical students were in the OR observing/participating, but that's still two more than I ever consented to. And I never consented to, nor was told about, the pelvic exam(s). There's no problem if the patient is told ahead of time, or if consent is granted - but it's assault if the patient is not told and given a choice.
I really feel violated.
I did not need a pelvic exam at all - it was only for training purposes. They should have ASKED me for my consent.
I really feel my trust was violated.
I'm really upset about this.
Ladies, make sure you know what your doctor or other people, are going to do to you while you are knocked out. Don't just assume they are not going to violate your trust.
I'm honestly considering filing charges or reporting my doctor to someone or something. I don't really know what to do, but it seems so wrong to me.
Blessings,
Lori
P.S. Turns out I'm hypothyroid, I go see an endocrinologist on Wednesday. I have not been feeling well lately, either physically or emotionally. So I haven't been around.
I was not told ahead of time that this would happen (nor told after the fact - I only learned by reading the surgical report) and I was not given a chance to give informed consent.
It's common for teaching hospitals to allow med students to practice pelvic exams on female patients - as soon as a woman is asleep, teaching hospitals bring in hordes of young medical students (usually male) to perform pelvic exams. Sometimes up to six or seven at a time. In my case, only two medical students were in the OR observing/participating, but that's still two more than I ever consented to. And I never consented to, nor was told about, the pelvic exam(s). There's no problem if the patient is told ahead of time, or if consent is granted - but it's assault if the patient is not told and given a choice.
I really feel violated.
I did not need a pelvic exam at all - it was only for training purposes. They should have ASKED me for my consent.
I really feel my trust was violated.
I'm really upset about this.
Ladies, make sure you know what your doctor or other people, are going to do to you while you are knocked out. Don't just assume they are not going to violate your trust.
I'm honestly considering filing charges or reporting my doctor to someone or something. I don't really know what to do, but it seems so wrong to me.
Blessings,
Lori
P.S. Turns out I'm hypothyroid, I go see an endocrinologist on Wednesday. I have not been feeling well lately, either physically or emotionally. So I haven't been around.
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