I need a neutral opinion on whether I was reasonable or overreacting.
A couple months ago, I went in for a medical appointment. I was sitting in the examination room topless waiting for the nurse to come back.
Two young guys (20s) came in. They saw me and kind of froze. I think they were confused as to why I was there. Then they turned around and left. I wanted to ask why they were there, but couldn’t say anything.
Then the nurse came and continued my treatment like nothing happened. I asked her who they were and she said she didn’t know. I described them and she said, oh they are students. Observing and shadowing as part of medical school or whatever. I told her that I wasn’t comfortable with that and she just brushed it off and said “they probably got the wrong room”.
A few days later, I called the office and spoke to a receptionist, who also just brushed it off. I asked to speak to someone in charge and was told that it wasn’t necessary and she would pass it along and reach out “if there is any follow up”.
Of course there was no follow up, so I decided to send a letter to the medical practice. I calmly described what happened, said that I understood it was an innocent error, but I would appreciate some sort of apology or follow up.
I finally got a follow up letter in the mail. And guess what it says, they are dropping me as a patient and no longer willing to see me. No acknowledgement of the situation, no apology, just a terse “we are no longer able to serve you and encourage you to look elsewhere for your health care needs”.
Has this happened to anyone? I really don’t know how to feel about it.
Comments
I know I’d be bothered by what happened! Honestly being dropped sounds like it would be a non-issue to me, because no way I’d be going back regardless
I assume it’s a teaching practice, which is why they have medical students. My own GP has a notice saying it’s a teaching practice, that their may be a medical student in the room if you are uncomfortable with this to let the receptionist know. So, you are able to opt out.
There were 3 mistakes from this practice initially
The nurse failed to put you behind a screen or curtain or Mark the door as in consultation private. This should have prevented the incident.
The medical students should have knocked before entering. This is standard practice.
Having made the mistake, the medical students should have apologised as should the nurse
On your second enquiry, the practice should have apologised and explained what actions they have taken to prevent this from happening in the future.
I personally would be escalating this to your area health board as they are taking retaliation against you for their failure to apologise and set up correct working practice for intimate examination of patients.
That’s BULLSHIT.
I’ve had students in my exams many times in my life. And every single time, the doctor has asked my permission ahead of time. They should not have been walking into exam rooms alone, because they should have been always with the doctor they were shadowing.
Also, they should have knocked. Every doctor, nurse, medical assistant, PA, etc. I have ever had has knocked before entering an exam room with a closed door.
I’m so sorry that this happened to you. You had every right to complain, and every right to expect privacy in an exam room.
It is a whole second layer of bullshit in this bullshit lasagna for the practice to drop you after you requested an apology.