What if everything stayed the same

What would happen if medical procedures at the pediatrician’s office were like the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Kids still undressed to their underwear. Doors left open. Rectal temperature with a glass thermometer. Hands on full physical exam. Penicillin shots. Parents in the exam room, even as a teenager. Would they be able to cope?

Who wouldn't be able to cope? the doctors or the patients?

Obviously, most of that was unnecessary - my generation didn't experience any of that and we seem to be just as healthy, if not healthier.

Nobody should have to go through that.

Whether it’s a good practice or not, if kids, at an early age, are subject to doctor visits as the OP described, I would think it would just be natural for them. Might be an issue if they had peers who had significantly different experiences and teased them, then it could be an issue. But if all doctors did the same for all children, I think the new generation would cope just fine.

I am of an age where all that was done as a child of the 60's and 70's, and into adulthood (minus the RT) well into adulthood in the 80's. It is just what you grow up with. I actually would prefer it to the cursory exams now. They rely on tests too much. Used to be that tests were done to confirm a diagnosis, not make it.

Yes. If they didn’t know any different, then life for them would not be appreciably different than it was/is for Boomers, Gen X, or older millennials who experienced it. A minority wouldn’t handle it well, many would fine and take it as just a part of life, and another minority would end up a Gen Z/Gen Alpha version of Zity for people with medfet. If that’s all you know then it’s what is normal.

Who wouldn't be able to cope? the doctors or the patients?

Obviously, most of that was unnecessary - my generation didn't experience any of that and we seem to be just as healthy, if not healthier.

Nobody should have to go through that.

That's simply a matter of personal, generational, and cultural perspective. The very fact that this board exists shows that many of us found the experience enjoyable or at least mildly pleasant.

Thankfully it has not stayed the same. I can remember walking out into the hallway in my underwear to get dressed so my siblings exam could start as an adolescent or even worse waiting in the hallway after I had stripped down to save time once in the office. I also had rectal temps taken by the nurse until age 10. Children and adolescents really should not be treated as cattle as they go through their yearly exams and vaccinations.

Children and adolescents really should not be treated as cattle as they go through their yearly exams and vaccinations.

That situation is still a cakewalk compared to what adults go through- being treated as cattle on the battlefield, in the factory, or in the office. As for me personally- as a medfet exhibitionist, I'd be happy to be a teen treated like cattle at an exam if it means I get to display myself to any curious or appreciative females present 😃 .

Obviously, most of that (referring to the very thorough physical exams that many of experienced) was unnecessary - my generation didn't experience any of that and we seem to be just as healthy, if not healthier.

Actually, that is not at all true. The increased rates of obesity and diabetes is just one example of how the current generation is less healthy than previous children.

Actually, that is not at all true. The increased rates of obesity and diabetes is just one example of how the current generation is less healthy than previous children.

True, but not because of the changes in how we were examined between the 50’s and today.

True, but not because of the changes in how we were examined between the 50’s and today.

And I was not making that correlation. Simply correcting the inaccurate statement that children today are healthier than they were back in the day of thorough physical exams.

I do wonder, though, since many doctors no longer conduct testicle exams, if any cases of testicular cancer are slipping by. I have heard the argument that a young man will approach his doctor for any pain "down there" but I sincerely doubt that, and besides, testicular cancer does not always present with pain.

If we had no changes to technology or cultural attitudes, we wouldn’t know what we were missing out on. Humiliating and unnecessary procedures would exist, and teens and young adults, would still be treated like babies, by pediatricians and nurses, especially in hospitals. There was a time when even college students, and adults up to 21 years old, were forced to have their temperature taken rectally, and subjected to seeing cartoon characters painted on the walls. Also, imagine a 20 year old, having to share a room with an 8 year old child. No thank you!

If we had no changes to technology or cultural attitudes, we wouldn’t know what we were missing out on. Humiliating and unnecessary procedures would exist, and teens and young adults, would still be treated like babies, by pediatricians and nurses, especially in hospitals. There was a time when even college students, and adults up to 21 years old, were forced to have their temperature taken rectally, and subjected to seeing cartoon characters painted on the walls.

I kinda like the cartoon characters on the walls! Better than anatomical posters given to the docs by pharmaceutical suppliers!

I kinda like the cartoon characters on the walls! Better than anatomical posters given to the docs by pharmaceutical suppliers!

TBH, even as a little kid i found those anatomy posters fascinating. Also those plastic and rubber 3D models of the spinal column. I couldn't care less about Mickey Mouse or Porky Pig at the doctor's office because I saw enough of them at home!

What would happen if medical procedures at the pediatrician’s office were like the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Kids still undressed to their underwear. Doors left open. Rectal temperature with a glass thermometer. Hands on full physical exam. Penicillin shots. Parents in the exam room, even as a teenager. Would they be able to cope?

They would know no different, just as those did growing up in those eras. It would just be what was the "normal" way things are done.

The increased rates of obesity and diabetes is just one example of how the current generation is less healthy than previous children.

That is mostly attributed to the ultra processed food and high carb diet of today. Quick and convenient over more natural and healthy.

That is mostly attributed to the ultra processed food and high carb diet of today. Quick and convenient over more natural and healthy.

This is especially a problem in lower income urban areas for some reason. Lots of fast food restaurants and alcohol / tobacco shops, but way fewer healthy options.