[Riotproof]

I've just been along to my GP for my pap smear, a bit overdue but I took the opportunity because DH took a random day off and I left DS with him.
He refused to do it, saying it's better to get a female Dr to do it, I told him that I was fine with him, and he still refused. They booked me another appointment for Tuesday.

Is it me or is it just weird? I spoke to the receptionist afterwards and she said none of the male Dr's at the clinic will do one for public liability reasons, and they only have the one female GP. I suppose I could have insisted, but it would have been pretty uncomfortable for both of us.

This post has been edited by Riotproof: 14/12/2012, 02:52 PM

[JRA]

My old doctor stopped doing pap smears, I actually was a bit annoyed as well, but then decided given todays day and age, sadly I could understand.

My OB was then male and it seemed ridiculous again that a male doctor would not do a pap smear.

Now, even though I have changed clinics (for other reasons) I book in to a female doctor for a pap smear, as my main GP is female, not because I wanted a female GP though

[luke's mummu]

At my medical centre, I'm not sure what the official policy is, but they try hard to steer you to a female GP e.g. reminder letters state Drs XXX and YYY (both female) are available to do your pap smear on such-and-such days.

My obstetrician (male) did it at the 6 week's post birth check-up for both of my babies.

[AllegraM]

My male GP does them, but always has a nurse in the room at the time.

[katniss]

Gosh, that's ridiculous. What is this world coming too.

[PatG]

Wow, that's amazing. Does the clinic have nurses? If so they could possibly get one of them to "chaperone" the procedure? What a world we live in when a professional can't do his job... This can't be normal though - what about all the country towns with only one (or less than one) doctor who is male, their patients can't be expected to travel hours to see a female doctor for a simple, straightforward, very important procedure.

[noi'mnot]

This startled me too, when I first came across it. In my experience, many male doctors will get a female nurse to chaperone for a pap smear. These days, many clinics have a practice nurse (often female) who does pap smears.

[Riotproof]

I think I feel annoyed that I had geared myself up for it (as you do) with a Dr I've seen for two years and now I have to go and see a different Dr just because of what she has between her legs. And now I'll have the toddler in the waiting room to entertain.

At my medical centre, I'm not sure what the official policy is, but they try hard to steer you to a female GP e.g. reminder letters state Drs XXX and YYY (both female) are available to do your pap smear on such-and-such days.

My obstetrician (male) did it at the 6 week's post birth check-up for both of my babies.

I'm trying to be responsible since we'll start TTC in the new year and this was something I needed to tick off of my list.

Gosh, that's ridiculous. What is this world coming too.

I agree. The receptionist said if i had told her what I was booking for, she would have told me. I don't like the idea of having to discuss your reason for an appointment with a receptionist unless you're bleeding.

[solongsuckers]

My male GP does mine, no nurse in the room.

He is a doctor, not some dirty old perve.

As PP said, what is the world coming to?

[Riotproof]

Wow, that's amazing. Does the clinic have nurses? If so they could possibly get one of them to "chaperone" the procedure? What a world we live in when a professional can't do his job... This can't be normal though - what about all the country towns with only one (or less than one) doctor who is male, their patients can't be expected to travel hours to see a female doctor for a simple, straightforward, very important procedure.

They only have a pathology nurse.

I am a bit slack I know, but pap smears are very important and it feels wrong that they should make it harder to access one.