Hey EF women...need serious advice

[ponyfitness]

I'll try to make a long story short. My girlfriend has a medical condition that requires her to have pelvic exams and ultrasounds to check things.

Yesterday she was in a clinic getting an ultrasound done and there was a problem with the imaging. Without getting graphic they could not find something they needed to find to take pics of. The technician called the doc, and the doc came in and basically violated my girlfriend. She called me in tears and in a lot of pain because of the way this doctor did the procedure, which has never happened before. I had to pick her up from work and take her home to calm her down to get her to talk about it.

She also had emotional trauma in the past (sexual assault) which she made the technician and the doctor aware of while this was going on, she said she was crying throughout the procedure because she started having flashbacks, etc. The doctor not only didn't seem to care, she made some very innapropriate comments during and after she was done.

After talking to her about the whole thing and making sure she is okay I told her she needs to file a complaint with the medical board and possibly look into a lawsuit. We're looking into it and I'm trying to support her as much as I can.

She is totally hesitating due to her past history and basically just wants to ignore what happened even though she is very upset about it (past history dictates this, she never reported her previous trauma due to being a teenager). I'm wondering what you women think is the best approach to support her through this but also make sure that a proper complaint gets registered. This doctor needs to be reported in my opinion.

Or anyone who has ever filed a complaint or sued a doctor please chime in. My father is a lawyer so I'm going to be talking to him about it too. I'm furious.

 

[chris302001]

 

[Creepusmaximus]

depends what they were trying to take a picture of and what actually took place. Sorry I'm sure there is two sides to this one.

 

[Smurfy]

violated her how?
was she crying because it was physically painful?

 

[chris302001]

what state do you live in

oh wait your canadian........hmmmm, couldnt tell you bout tort reform there....

 

[musclemom]

Sorry but you're being too vague to express any opinion. We're grownups here, you could use technical terms.

Sounds like you're saying the doctor had to do some form of internal manipulation to push something (cervix?) into a position where it could be imaged and it triggered flashback memories of the assault for your GF.

You're going to have a damned tough time proving unprofessional behavior if it was a female doctor, particularly if at least one other person was in the room during the process.

 

[chris302001]

Sorry but you're being too vague to express any opinion. We're grownups here, you could use technical terms.

Sounds like you're saying the doctor had to do some form of internal manipulation to push something (cervix?) into a position where it could be imaged and it triggered flashback memories of the assault for your GF.

You're going to have a damned tough time proving unprofessional behavior if it was a female doctor, particularly if at least one other person was in the room during the process.

Thats pretty standard isnt it? Especially with something thats complicated???

 

[nefertiti]

Certain ultrasound proceedures require internal penetration...it's TERRIBLE and I went through it last year when they thought I might have ovarian cancer, but it is what it is. it sounds like your girlfriend was having more problems because of her own past and not because of inappropriateness on the part of the doctor - what exactly where the comments allegedly made?

I empathize with her as I know what that is like as well, but be careful and get all the facts before you start ruining careers.

 

[puddlemonkey]

what exactly where the comments allegedly made?

+1

 

[velvett]

Certain ultrasound proceedures require internal penetration...it's TERRIBLE and I went through it last year when they thought I might have ovarian cancer, but it is what it is. it sounds like your girlfriend was having more problems because of her own past and not because of inappropriateness on the part of the doctor - what exactly where the comments allegedly made?

I empathize with her as I know what that is like as well, but be careful and get all the facts before you start ruining careers.

Ditto.

Doctors often become desensitized (they have to in a way) and something that we view as a big deal is routine for them and often they rush through without thinking through the consequences of the words and actions and how they might effect the terrified person they are treating. You might just have to point out what happened from her prespective for someone to see what they did from another view.

You must find out exactly what was done and said and try and see it from all views, then see what sort of action you might need to take.

I had a few in last year and one in 06 - it was truly unpleasant when you get someone that is like a bull in a china shop.

Sometimes it's better to get them done in a hospital where the techs do such procedures all day long rather than in an OB/GYN's office where the frequency is less.

And if she finds a tech she likes request them for future checks.