Recently, I got to know of someone who was upset with her medical examination. According to her description, there were concerns about the examiner making contact with the upper portion of her breasts as well as going in between them under the claims of checking her breathing. Additional information were provided as well: the doctor was not wearing gloves.
The first impression I got was that I felt somewhat insulted. Although I must say I am confused as to whether I felt this negative because
1) another female was potentially sexually harassed,
or
2) because as a future member of the healthcare profession, our ethics have been undermined, and our actions misinterpreted.
Due to the relatively vague, and one-sided description, wouldn't it be really immature and insensible to make any accusations? A number of our youth today have reflected their rash judgment.
To make things clear, I am no medical practitioner, with limited knowledge of the body's anatomy. However I do know this much. That the lungs are safely and strategically positioned behind a pair of fat insulated breasts. The structure of the human lung also varies from the top, to the bottom, bronchus, alveoli and all. Access to any part of the human lung, without cutting up the body, will face the The Great Wall of Breast Tissue.
If there was any assessment that requires inspection on a specific part of the lung, naturally, it's better to go straight to the location of where it should be. However, I feel it should be with a stethoscope, and not with the hands alone.
Personally I do not feel that a pair of gloves will be necessary, although it's probably good practice and hygiene to wear them. There is a low risk of contamination, no open wounds and also nothing to do with a body cavity. Any risk of infection being contracted from the patient as a result of gloveless contact, would then be at the expense of the doctors own health.
If there was a stethoscope in hand, I would take it as a routine examination procedure, and not worry about it too much. It would then probably be a misunderstanding made by someone who is overly conscious of her breasts. This character is also suggested by an very detailed description of the breasts that was potentially harassed.
However, if there was no stethoscope in hand, it was most likely a lame attempt at harassment.
If that was the case, it will be an embarrassment to the professionalism of the healthcare profession. The best thing to do would to to question the doctor's actions, and challenge it, if necessary, on the spot. Who is it to blame, when the victim was aware of the situation, and yet allowed it to happen? Publicizing it later on, or any complaints seems to be gathering attention and pity. Channeling any relevant grievances through the right procedures, to have the situation properly investigated is the best course of action at this point. Should the medical practitioner be at fault, his medical license will be at stake as a result of his own actions. After all, responsibility comes with the job.
Just another case where I think it can be handled in another way, and viewed from another perspective. However, if I were the victim, I would probably overreact as well. After all, there aren't many females out there who deem their dignity as sacred anymore. If there was any good from all the attention that was received, perhaps attracting the attention of someone who can give advice would be more desirable, rather than someone who joins in a blind accussation with no substance. Well then, the advice is here and made available. Whether it is used, is no longer of any concern to me.
The first impression I got was that I felt somewhat insulted. Although I must say I am confused as to whether I felt this negative because
1) another female was potentially sexually harassed,
or
2) because as a future member of the healthcare profession, our ethics have been undermined, and our actions misinterpreted.
Due to the relatively vague, and one-sided description, wouldn't it be really immature and insensible to make any accusations? A number of our youth today have reflected their rash judgment.
To make things clear, I am no medical practitioner, with limited knowledge of the body's anatomy. However I do know this much. That the lungs are safely and strategically positioned behind a pair of fat insulated breasts. The structure of the human lung also varies from the top, to the bottom, bronchus, alveoli and all. Access to any part of the human lung, without cutting up the body, will face the The Great Wall of Breast Tissue.
If there was any assessment that requires inspection on a specific part of the lung, naturally, it's better to go straight to the location of where it should be. However, I feel it should be with a stethoscope, and not with the hands alone.
Personally I do not feel that a pair of gloves will be necessary, although it's probably good practice and hygiene to wear them. There is a low risk of contamination, no open wounds and also nothing to do with a body cavity. Any risk of infection being contracted from the patient as a result of gloveless contact, would then be at the expense of the doctors own health.
If there was a stethoscope in hand, I would take it as a routine examination procedure, and not worry about it too much. It would then probably be a misunderstanding made by someone who is overly conscious of her breasts. This character is also suggested by an very detailed description of the breasts that was potentially harassed.
However, if there was no stethoscope in hand, it was most likely a lame attempt at harassment.
If that was the case, it will be an embarrassment to the professionalism of the healthcare profession. The best thing to do would to to question the doctor's actions, and challenge it, if necessary, on the spot. Who is it to blame, when the victim was aware of the situation, and yet allowed it to happen? Publicizing it later on, or any complaints seems to be gathering attention and pity. Channeling any relevant grievances through the right procedures, to have the situation properly investigated is the best course of action at this point. Should the medical practitioner be at fault, his medical license will be at stake as a result of his own actions. After all, responsibility comes with the job.
Just another case where I think it can be handled in another way, and viewed from another perspective. However, if I were the victim, I would probably overreact as well. After all, there aren't many females out there who deem their dignity as sacred anymore. If there was any good from all the attention that was received, perhaps attracting the attention of someone who can give advice would be more desirable, rather than someone who joins in a blind accussation with no substance. Well then, the advice is here and made available. Whether it is used, is no longer of any concern to me.
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