What should one expect from a physician?
So Friday I went to see my doc. A new doc this time: since I didn't like the G.P. (and since I needed a pap smear), I went to see his wife, in the same practice. She saw me last when I brought pseudonymous kid in when he had tonsillitis. Anyway, so she's all smiles--"how is the kid? how are you?"--as I sit there in the stupid paper robe (is it just me, or would it actually be less embarrassing to just be naked? Less ridiculous, at least).
So she starts the breast exam, and we're talking about my depression meds. I say, "well, the Paxil is helping, yes, but I still have bad days about once a week, where I'm immobilized, and the sexual side-effects, while not a killer, do kind of suck, and oh by the way I'm trying to quit smoking." So, as planned, she says, "well, let's try Wellbutrin." Excellent. Then she moves down between my legs for the pap. So I move on to my other agenda item: "oh, as long as I'm here, I need an STD check. And I have a few questions about HPV. I had a partner recently who had it, and. . ." Now, to New Doc's credit, she answers all my questions, explains the transmission mechanisms for HPV to me, confirms what my research had found about the different strains of the thing (in short, I have nothing to worry about), orders the blood draws, everything is fine.
But. From the moment I ask about the STD check, she no longer makes eye contact, and we're no more smiley. Suddenly it's all business: here is this patient, let's provide her the medical care she needs, let's answer her questions, but I suspect something is going on here that I Disapprove Of.
Now. Fair enough, doctors have feelings too. But. It's a little off-putting to feel like your doc thinks you are a Bad Person because you are asking medical questions.
Sigh. My stupid health plan doesn't give me a lot of options, and I don't imagine a lot of docs in east Egypt, here, are gonna be cool with the "married woman with kid who apparently has multiple partners" thing. And she did give me straight answers and all that. And I'm old enough and secure enough in my decisions that ultimately her approval or disapproval doesn't matter too much. So I'm not motivated enough to try to switch docs.
But it does kind of suck when the person whose hand is in your vagina disapproves of you.
So she starts the breast exam, and we're talking about my depression meds. I say, "well, the Paxil is helping, yes, but I still have bad days about once a week, where I'm immobilized, and the sexual side-effects, while not a killer, do kind of suck, and oh by the way I'm trying to quit smoking." So, as planned, she says, "well, let's try Wellbutrin." Excellent. Then she moves down between my legs for the pap. So I move on to my other agenda item: "oh, as long as I'm here, I need an STD check. And I have a few questions about HPV. I had a partner recently who had it, and. . ." Now, to New Doc's credit, she answers all my questions, explains the transmission mechanisms for HPV to me, confirms what my research had found about the different strains of the thing (in short, I have nothing to worry about), orders the blood draws, everything is fine.
But. From the moment I ask about the STD check, she no longer makes eye contact, and we're no more smiley. Suddenly it's all business: here is this patient, let's provide her the medical care she needs, let's answer her questions, but I suspect something is going on here that I Disapprove Of.
Now. Fair enough, doctors have feelings too. But. It's a little off-putting to feel like your doc thinks you are a Bad Person because you are asking medical questions.
Sigh. My stupid health plan doesn't give me a lot of options, and I don't imagine a lot of docs in east Egypt, here, are gonna be cool with the "married woman with kid who apparently has multiple partners" thing. And she did give me straight answers and all that. And I'm old enough and secure enough in my decisions that ultimately her approval or disapproval doesn't matter too much. So I'm not motivated enough to try to switch docs.
But it does kind of suck when the person whose hand is in your vagina disapproves of you.
