i don’t trust male ob/gyn doctors
Excerpt from Eros Modestica, GENTLEMEN DON’T LOOK UP LADIES’ SKIRTS February 14, 2014 “The most searing indictment of male gynecology is the book by Dr. John M. Smith entitled Women and Doctors (The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1992). After spending nearly twenty-five years in gynecological training and clinical practice, Dr. Smith paints a dismal picture of the woman’s specialist. “Male gynecologists, like all men, go through the kind of ‘attitude setting’ that occurs in the proverbial locker rooms while they are growing into manhood.” Dr. Smith, whose practice was in Colorado Springs, says that “It is common and acceptable among practicing gynecologists to speak about their patients bodies, sexual behavior, or medical problems indiscriminately, in terms that are demeaning and reflect a lack of kindness and respect.” (p. 27) Becoming more explicit, he charges them with eroticizing the medical scene: “It is a rare male who is able to see women day in and day out, examine their bodies, hear details of their sex lives, and not only never have a lascivious thought or abuse that access but always remain clinical…” (p.29) He confesses that “I have had a colleague invite me to do an exam on one of his patients under the false guise of a consultation because ‘she has a body you won’t believe’.” “I have seen a physician walk out of an exam room and tell a hallway full of doctors and nurses about the disease his married patient had contracted as a result of an affair. I have seen more than one gynecologist walk into an operating room where another doctor’s patient was already asleep for surgery, lift up the sheet, admire the patient’s breasts, and continue his conversation without pause.” (p.27) Dr. Smith concludes dramatically: After twenty-four years of medical education and clinical gynecological experience, it is my opinion that males should not be gynecologists. The role properly belongs to women.” (p.29)
after reading this, I’m not even sure that men should be doctors at all
Male doctors have a habit of downplaying womens pain, being condescending, and not listening to anything women have to say about what’s happening to womens bodies. Particularly younger white men who are doctors. I’ve had a variety of health issues throughout my life and most doctors I’ve dealt with have been men and from the things I’ve heard from my women friends and the research I’ve seen this is a really big problem. Women aren’t getting the care they need and I’m not saying men shouldnt be doctors at all but if you’re going to be a doctor you need to be able to listen and empathize, not assume women dont know what they’re talking about, that their pain isnt as bad as they say it is, and not automatically say the solution to every issue is to lose weight which is another problem in itself. I would also like to note that Indian doctors of all genders have been especially friendly and compassionate in my experience. Just cuz
