Found out I had pelvic exams done without my consent

[ICLori]

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.

[dancemomof2]

Sorry to hear this Lori, and yes it does happen and it is wrong. I have learned to make them hand write it on my consents NO MEDICAL STUDENT OR RESIDENT PARTICIPATION. THis way if it is done while I am not alert I have something to fall back on especially at a teaching hospital.

[leelee88]

Hey Lori...
I have noticed you have not been around, we have been missing you..
Boy I would be ticked off if a doctor did that to me without my consent.. I would find out his reason and if the reason was not good enough then I would file a complaint on him..Thats just not right!...

Well I hope you feel better soon......I will be praying for you

[meme]

I would feel violated too. I can't believe that they could get away with doing that without your consent. My doc has always asked my permission to have a student present for anything. I would definetly let them, or someone know that they were out of line. ((hugs))
Leah

[ihurttoo]

Lori,

OMG! I had a gutteral feeling just reading the title of your thread, and waves of nausea swept over me while I read your post. I cannot IMAGINE anyone thinking this is okay! I would feel exactly as you do. I am so enraged it is difficult to type right now. I am so sorry this happened to you.

Please talk to the Patient advocate at the hosptial about this as well as the Administrator. I have also been treated at teaching hosptials a few times out of town, but they always asked my consent to have others present. I would definately feel violated too. This is not right!

Like the others, I have also missed you here. I hope that you start feeling better. I wish to goodness that I knew something to say to you right now that was comforting, but I am honestly in such shock that I cant get past that right now.

You will certainly be in my thoughts...(I doubt I will be able to think of little else for several days, after reading this!) But, I will also keep you in my prayers.

Hugs,
Amy

[tigger_gal]

omg this is just so very wrong. Is this even legal? I mean if they did not have written approcval, to me it is unlawful. please check into this. and keep us posted ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))

[L. Thomas]

Violated

I agree

2 thoughts

When my house was broken into "they" went through everything …my dresser and closet. I had to take a day off from work to wash my clothes, sheets and anything that I could tell was touched. I felt personally violated and I wasn't even touched. I have no idea what you are feeling, but it has to be worse.

The other thought is... I really really think it needs to be made perfectly clear to what you consent.

BUT at the same time, my daughter is a respiratory therapy student and she does need training in several procedures (tubing, blood gases 2 that I can think of ). I would definitely want people to have good exposure to correct methods and practice before they are in an emergency situation...which these would be.

BUT a pelvic??? I don't think so.

Someome would be hearing from me. And I know that MD would have seen the last of me and any one I had anything to do with!!

[waterflow]

I would talk to a lawyer about this. They do not have the right to do that without your permission. Did you read the fine print on any papers you signed before having the proceder done? I went in for my first hydro thing and the woman told me it was just permission for them to do the procedure. I read the whole thing and it had where the doctor had MY permission to have learning doctors in the room to do whatever they wanted to. I told the woman that and she seemed surprised. Like maybe I found out about it. I told her no way did I want anyone else in the room that was not supposed to be. I circled it and wrote no on the form. She also called where ever in the hospital it was supposed to be done too to tell them I said no. That is very very wrong what they did to you and I don't blame you for feeling violated. It's pretty sad really when you can't even trust the doctor who is suppose to be looking out for you.

[Janie Miranda]

That's terrible Lori! I hate to hear they did that. Like you needed one more reason not to trust your doctors, right?

I've missed seeing you on the boards. Hope you feel better in every way soon.

[sacausa]

That is horrific and illegal. I would definitely file a complaint with the police department and the hospital administrator and also consult with a lawyer. That is a violation of your rights! I find it upsetting that things like this are occuring and it makes me personally very distrustful of doctors. Carefully indicating that you do not want treatment by students is a good idea (one that my mom has always insisted on) but that is in the past.

Pelvic exams have NOTHING to do with a cysto/hydro. It is NOT JUSTIFIED. If a student performed the cysto, under your uro's supervision, then they might still be legally protected but they did a procedure that you did not medically need or consent to. This is completely unacceptable!

I cannot imagine what you're going through.

[ICLori]

Thanks so much everyone. Thank you all for understanding. I just feel sick. I can't explain it. It just brings up the old feelings I used to have when I got raped as a child.

I found a good site about how we can protect ourselves from this:

http://www.shamexam.org/tips.htm

It even has a form you can sign and put in your medical records that says you don't consent to med students doing pelvics on you without your consent when you are under anesthesia.

Blessings,
Lori

[swarr]

Your dr. needs to be fired! Check the fine print to see if they can get away with it.

[sacausa]

you know, I just thought...... that pelvic exams can often trigger IC flares... and since you are diagnosed as having IC... they were actually doing something that could be counterproductive to your recovery... which goes against "first do no harm"

[mich2604]

wow, this is so beyond horrible, i dont even have words for it.

Get copies of all the forms that you signed.

sheesh, unbelievable, and im so so sorry you have to deal with this.

When i got my operative report I saw that my uro didnt do the procedure, and my bladder bled afterwards...i even asked the fellow if the head uro did it and he said yes.

I actually tried to get the uro to give mea pelvic exam while i was under because it hurts so much for me to have one while awake, and they wouldnt do it.

I dont think many Dr want to stick their necks on the line doing pelvics while you are out cold, atleast that is the impression i get. So, i think what happend to you has to be some kind of violation, it just has to be.

something like this should NOT be listed in the fine print, it should have its own box thats says , 'yes please give my consent to allow pelvic exams etc"

[Roxie2007]

HI! The first thing I thought as I read your post is that I'll bet you had major flares after those exams!! OMG! This is SO wrong! PLEASE let us know what you find out when you look into this....we all need to do what Dancemom said and write "NO STUDENTS" on those consent forms!
I can understand that students need to practice on procedures.....but they need to get permission from everyone first to have it done.
I'm SO sorry you had to go through this dreadful ordeal! ((HUG)) Roxie