Unlike other medical specialties, the work of an obstetrician-gynecologist is unique in that women trust us not just with their health, but with the most intimate part of it.
When visiting a gynecologist, female patients should first of all feel comfortable and treat us with complete trust. Since the gynecologist must be asked a number of intimate questions during the appointment and history taking process, without trust it is impossible to obtain the necessary information. And she, in the end, will help in making the correct diagnosis.
Let’s take a closer look at the signs that indicate it’s time to change your gynecologist. But first, I would like to note that doctors are the same people and, like everyone else, have different character traits: some are more sociable, others less sociable. When choosing a doctor, in my opinion, in addition to professionalism, the human factor and that very “contact” that usually occurs during the first visit should be taken into account.
1. No doctor, including a gynecologist, has the right to be rude or insult patients
If you notice some kind of rudeness and poorly hidden irritation in your communication with a gynecologist (the doctor interrupts and rushes you, trying to quickly finish the appointment), of course, this leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.
During the appointment, the doctor should listen as carefully and slowly as possible to all the questions that concern you, and then calmly, in an accessible language, explain everything to you.
When collecting anamnesis, the gynecologist should tactfully ask a number of intimate questions, such as: onset of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, etc. The doctor should try not to use complex medical terminology, but, on the contrary, explain everything in clear and simple language.
2. The gynecologist should not blame the patient and cause a feeling of guilt for the development of certain diseases
Most often this concerns STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Each woman has her own personal life, and no one has the right to interfere or lecture her. The gynecologist’s task is to help the patient recover from those diseases. Doctors often try to blame patients if they have infertility or recurrent miscarriage, when two or more pregnancies are terminated at a short term. If your gynecologist allows himself to do this, this is another sign that you need to change your doctor.
3. The most “unpleasant and scary” part of visiting a gynecologist is the examination in the gynecological chair.
For many patients, an examination in a gynecological chair is stressful, and the very thought of this chair causes fear. This is often due to an unpleasant first experience visiting a gynecologist.
Here I would like to add that before any examination, the doctor must ask the patient’s consent. And she, in turn, signs informed consent before any examinations and procedures.
A gynecological examination should be carried out in a non-rude, gentle and painless manner for each patient to avoid additional stress and tension.
If the patient is initially tense, the doctor must wait until she relaxes and only then conduct an examination.
Often during an examination, gynecological smears are taken; the doctor must explain to the patient each of his actions, since, lying on the chair, the patient does not see what exactly he is doing.
4. Addressing “you” even to very young patients
We must not forget about medical ethics and treat absolutely all patients with respect, regardless of age, nationality, or religion.
5. In front of you, the doctor criticizes his colleagues who incorrectly prescribed examination and treatment.
No self-respecting doctor will openly criticize his colleagues. In some cases, indeed, patients refer to the prescriptions of their previous doctors, and even if the prescriptions of other colleagues are in doubt, you should not express your indignation and indignation in front of the patients. The doctor should explain everything in a tactful and polite manner, choosing the right words and expressions.
If possible, the doctor should give the patient the right to choose available examinations and treatments.
At the same time, he should explain in detail that for some pathologies there are several options.
Gynecologists must show maximum empathy and often act as a psychologist, because our patients trust us with their intimate health, sharing their most intimate things with us.