BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids I'd like the benefit of your opinion....

We have such an intelligent and diverse group of people on this Board...I wondered if I could ask for your views on a certain "ethical" matter...
I have worked for the Medical Board in the past and have been involved with a couple of professional women's groups for years...
Facts:-
A middle aged male Doctor pressures his younger female patients to agree to Pap smears and breast exams because..."cancer is a terrible concern"....
It doesn't matter whether the girl/woman is there for a cold, a cut or a headache - he suggests/encourages/pressures her to agree to a breast exam and an internal examination.

The Doctor does not mention the need for these exams to his older or less attractive female patients (confirmed by discreet enquiries)...unless they raise the matter. In fact, older women are often handed over to a female Doctor in the surgery "for their comfort"...The younger female patients all confirm (without exception)his "focus" - some changed Doctors as a result...
Has he stepped over the line? Is it acceptable to be zealous in performing these exams on young attractive women and no one else? Or, does that mean he has "sexualized" the procedures - is he serving HIS own needs within the confines of his profession - one that gives him access and opportunity - thus...stepping over the line.
One of his patients left in tears after being pressured for 15 minutes to agree to a full examination that required her to remove all of her clothing..."you're at an age when you have to start worrying about cancer"..."I need to keep you safe"...she was 19 and fortunately, strong enough not to be intimidated or agree to something that made her feel uncomfortable - she made it clear IF that was necessary, she'd be seeing a female Doctor...
She felt..."he just wanted an excuse to look at and touch my body"...
She also, noticed as she left - the Doctor had an erection...
BTW she was there for a sore ankle - she left the consult with an unexamined and sore ankle.

Is it understandable/acceptable for a male Doctor to get an erection during a consultation/exam with a female patient?
Is it understandable/acceptable that a male Doctor might look forward or enjoy looking and touching an attractive female patient? Or, shape a consultation so these things are possible?
I'd love your feedback...also, Doctors in Australia usually don't provide gowns...sometimes a sheet or blanket (this girl was offered a sheet) which is moved up and down during the exam and many Doctors don't use chaperones.
This comes just after a 40 year old male skin specialist was sent to prison for 8 years after the digital rape and sexual assault of about 15 of his patients. (there were probably more that didn't come forward)
I must say that I have distanced myself from this sort of work - my days at the Medical Board left me shocked, disappointed, angry and distressed...
The Doctor's behaviour was reported after a female Doctor in the same surgery became concerned after hearing several of these stories from young female patients...
The thing that comforts me is that women are more aware these days and will speak up or walk away and, the "opportunities" are becoming increasingly, limited with women seeing female Doctors or asking for chaperones.
Women are also, more likely to report inappropriate behaviour and the complaints are more likely to be taken seriously...
IMO this was not the case in the past...
I can mention the above matter because it's been "resolved" - however, the "waiting and watching" went on for years - it was only when he really stepped over the line that action was taken...
Some have said the authorities waited too long...
What do you think?

Your instincts have already told you what you already know. NO - it is not normal for a pysician to have an erection during an exam. What part of focusing on medicine and ailments sounds pleasureable? It is also not normal to come in for a sore ankle and go out with a pelvic and/or breast exam. Physicians have limited time and each exam is scheduled. There is not time for these "extras" in a normal setting.

This physician is stepping beyond what is ethical and normal and using his position to pressure those who are under his care. Yes, everyone is concerned about cancer but a normal, healthy woman not having any particular complaints should not be subject to random internal exams. Is he as concerned about his MALE patients and if they could develop testicular cancer? I doubt it.
This has trouble written all over it.
It is not a dating service, it is a doctor's office.
Trust your instincts...don't ignore it.

That guy was WAAAAAY out of line on every point. Abuse of position to the Nth degree! I hope he's locked up somewhere...

Here in the states, they're pretty good about preventing that nonsense. Though my gyno. is female, she is still legally required to have a nurse present during the PAP procedure. I don't know if that is a state law or federal, most likely the latter.

this is EXTREMELY disturbing to me. your gut is telling you what to do. i can understand looking for validation b/c it can be scary to raise such a huge ethical violation, but it is absolutely the right thing to do.

I think the guy is CLEARLY a major pervert. SCARY!!

That doctor was certainly out of line. To have an erection while examining a patient?! Unacceptable. And I can understand a doctor suggesting or reminding a female patient that she needs annual examinations to prevent cancer, etc. However, to put so much pressure on patients as to make them cry? That is clearly over the line. And, normally doctors would only recommend or remind. If the patient said they wanted to pursue the exam, it would be scheduled for another day...NOT done right then. So, no, it is not normal to me to go in with a sore ankle and come out with a breast and pelvic exam....not normal by any means. This doctor is definitely up to no good.

Based on the info you provided, the fact that this issue has caused concern to a number of patients on separate occasions
is quite telling.

I can't believe things have gone this far without more scrutiny.

Even if just half of the info is true - in the US this guy would be sued, in jail or both, as well as striped of his medical license -- as well he should be.

This man clearly wants to look at and touch women and is abusing his role as a doctor, to put it mildly. DO something, and get good lawyers!

I think it was allowed to slide because the evidence was initially quite thin - also, there has been a campaign in Australia for some years encouraging women to have regular Smear tests - apparently, he was able to "explain away" some of his behaviour by saying he was just doing his job - encouraging women to get checked...(the young and attractive ones anyway)
It was only when his behaviour was closely examined and monitored that it became more sinister...that is, the "selective" targeting of women and the level of pressure.
Sadly, the government campaign for women to have regular checks has enabled some "suspect" Doctors to shape their consultations to seemingly suit their own needs - hiding behind the campaign if they're questioned.
It saddens me we still have so much of this stuff happening in Australia...
This Doctor will probably be permitted to continue treating patients with a chaperone present - I think this is very poor - he has shown his true colours and abused a position of trust - what difference will it make if he has a chaperone present - he'll still think the same way and regard his patients in the same light.
One of my friends is directly involved in this matter (a lawyer, not a patient) and sought my opinion.
Pleased to hear we all feel the same way...
Thank goodness we have female Doctors today - 25 years ago there were few female Doctors and specialists...
I've always seen female Doctors (since I was a teenager)and will continue to do so...I feel more comfortable with a woman and also, lost trust in male Doctors after doing the Medical Board work.

I certainly think the Doctor in your first post overstepped the line and think it's a shame if he is allowed to keep practicing with a chaperone - he should be struck off.

However, I think it's a shame so many male doctors who genuinely don't act like that are passed aside just because of their gender - however CAN understand why women feel more comfortable with other women.

Due to having Pelvic Inflamatory Disease, I've had a lot of internal examinations - always had female GP's but when I went to the hospital I have had a number of internal examinations by men.... It didn't bother me at all when I thought it would... and when the Doctor was talking to me a nurse came in the room and just remained there the entire time... he said ' take off your jeans and lie on the table' ... I had done that within 10 seconds and the female nurse RAN forward to put some weird thin sheet of paper of 'that' area.. I was like, why bother? he's sticking his fingers up me in a mo and god knows what else.. what will a flimsy peice of paper do?' He was very nice and extremely professional - so were all the male Doctors I have seen.... they seem more sympathetic than women a lot of the time...

I think I'm actually strong enough (I hope) to speak out about any malpractice if it happened to me but due to so many safeguards I doubt I'll ever have an intimate exam by a male doctor in the room on his own nowadays....

Hi Linux Lady,
Yes, I know some women are happy seeing male Doctors - that's fine - I wouldn't be happy seeing a male Doctor so will continue seeing my fabulous female Doctor.
I personally believe it's fine for women (& men)to reject a Doctor on the basis of gender - years ago women were belittled and patronised if they asked for a female Doctor - totally unacceptable - I couldn't care less how many women he's examined - it's about how I feel - not him...I'm the patient paying for a service and it's my choice...
IMO women should be free to see the Doctor of their choice...whether that be male or female.
The fact that sticks in my mind - in the years I worked in this area, I can't recall a single case against a female Doctor...(not for inappropriate behaviour or sexual assault)
I know there have been a couple of recent cases involving female teachers and teenage boys...but I can't recall any cases involving female Doctors and their patients.
I'm pleased you're happy with the treatment you've received...
I just get sooo frustrated hearing stuff like this over and over again...
I've heard woman say..."my Doctor is fine - if he ever did anything, I'd take action"...
The only problem with this approach - if it happens, the damage is done...
I've seen/heard it many times...speaking to victims and it's clear they have been "damaged" by the experience.
It's horrible...
I recall one young woman saying to me..."I didn't walk through the park at midnight, I didn't take any risks - I just went to the Doctor"...
I'm pleased I don't do this work anymore - in all my years of practice - nothing got to me, like this work did...