Examination | Are you submissive, neutral, …

Views: 1186 Created: 2023.08.23

First post

When you interact with them, do you retain your confident and empowered adult attitude, or do you become meek and submissive while the doctor briefly assumes the role of a pseudo-parent?

With a female doctor, I almost feel like it's mommy bandaging my busted knee or feeling my feverish forehead all over again. With a male doc, I feel like it's two old college chums getting reacquainted.

Maybe someone with a greater understanding of psychology can explain why I feel the way I do- meek, submissive, and boyish with a lady doctor, and buddy-buddy with a male doctor?

Cefn

I always make sure I'm polite. Healthcare is free in UK and doctors, nurses and para medical professionals are paid less than in many other European countries.

But I am pretty frank in questions and comments. 'Why?', 'Please explain'., 'Is something else possible?' and 'Sorry. No.' all figure in my conversations.

I much respect doctors and nurses who look after me. But I don't worship them, I'm afraid.

Play exams are different. I love doing what I'm told then.

Badgy1

I very submissive initially. When I was young I had a bad experience in the hospital where the nurses held me down because I didn’t want an enema before surgery at around 9. Then at 15 I didn’t want to undress in front of my stepmother and tried to say no and the doctor said your guardian has signed consent for this exam and she will assist us in removing your clothes if necessary. At that point looking at the doctor, her nurse, and my stepmother all glaring at me I accepted defeat and stripped to my underwear.

Mumford

I am very much submissive in medical exams. Sometimes I wish I could advocate for myself a bit better in the moment. I’ve found with my current primary care I can be a little more upfront with him and have a real conversation about what’s going on - though!

GeitherT

I am fully submissive. Do whatever I am told. Probably come off as a bit anxious.

ZZme

I am very respectful but I always ask a lot of "why" questions to understand various recommendations. I've been seeing my PCP for a couple decades and I like and respect him (and his Nurse Practitioner) because they are open to questions and conversations as we talk about my healthcare needs. I have always had a very inquisitive nature and in my life it has been beneficial to my understanding of my body, my work, and the world in general. I don't think I would be able to have a long term relationship with an ongoing medical person/teams if they weren't able to have that kind of relationship where I am free to ask questions to aid my understanding.