Nurse and teacher chaperones during physicals

I only experienced this one time several years ago, when I was examined and later diagnosed with a testicular variocele. Funny part was, the older woman nurse who was supposed to be chaperoning looked up at the ceiling the whole time that my doctor was examining me.

Whether she didn't really didn't like seeing male genitalia, or was simply being polite, I have no idea. I actually thought it was kind of funny.

Afterwards I requested ( and got ) a female tech for my ultrasound. She was young, attractive, and also very nice. Unfortunately, I was too concerned with any potential problems with my junk to get any enjoyment out of that situation. Oh well.

What were you guys' situations with a chaperone? How did you feel about them being there? How did they act in your presence?

It was a given for me from age 11 onward. 11-13 mom and dad were present for my physical exams. At age 14 I was capable of "manning up" to the doctor and going it alone. My doctor smiled at me and complimented my courage. It was my adoption physical and although my FP's wanted to be present to make things go smoothly they also respected I was now on a fast track to manhood and respected my need for privacy. My Pediatrician was incredibly supportive but I did have to have a chaperone present for the testicular and rectal exam. The rectal exam was required.

My Pediatrician was incredibly supportive but I did have to have a chaperone present for the testicular and rectal exam. The rectal exam was required.

Was the chaperone female or male? Did they pay any real attention, or were they just sort of coasting through their work day?

Was the chaperone female or male? Did they pay any real attention, or were they just sort of coasting through their work day?

@ILuvLadyDocs. The chaperone was a male PA whom I had seen for a few sick visits. Both were very professional and caring. I never had the impression either one was just going through the motions of their day.

Several years ago, my doctor, who had a female student future Dr., asked if it was OK that she observe my physical exam. I said yes. She was standing to the side and was taking some notes, looking on occasion. Within about 10 min she and the Dr left the room. I was asked to dress and the nurse would be in a few minutes. I thank the student was a bit nervous and surprised to see my physical exam take place. Not sure if this was her first time.

Interesting question.

In my experience, it's really two different things: a chaperone as opposed to a student/trainee observer.

In most cases where I had a chaperone in the room, they really weren't observing. I remember one instance in particular where my female primary care provider had a nurse come in for the genital & rectal exam. The nurse spent the entire exam with her back to us, clearly not paying attention. The wild thought ran through my head to yell "Hey doc! What the hell are you doing!!!" Of course, I only chuckled quietly to myself and let it go.

The only time I can recall a chaperone paying attention was one time, maybe 12-15 years ago. First visit with a new doc. Nurse had me undress completely and don a gown. Doc comes in, she's maybe late 20s / early 30s, heavy set, and very professional. Everything in the exam is "by the book" - from HEENT to auscultation and palpation of my abdomen. She then explains that, per policy, she is required to have a chaperone present if she is going to do an intimate exam, and that I can refuse to have one present and she'll skip that part of the exam. I told her I was okay with it, and she said she'd be right back. She was gone a long time (10 minutes?) and eventually returned with a young lady in scrubs who appeared to be maybe 19 or 20. Doc introduced her simply by saying "this is Julie and she will be the required chaperone for this part of your exam." The doc then had me lay back on the table and pushed my gown up to my belly and did the genital exam with my lying down. She pulled my gown back down and asked me to stand up, when I did I noticed that Julie was facing the exam table, standing a little ways behind the doc. Doc then did a standing genital exam - I purposely didn't make eye contact with Julie and she clearly didn't make eye contact with me - but she didn't face away, either. Then it was turn around & place your chest on the table and spread your legs.

After getting dressed, I was to go provide a urine sample and noticed Julie sitting at a desk worthing on a computer. So I have my doubts if she was a trained medical professional or someone filling in as a chaperone. Nothing like that has ever happened since.

The other scenario - when it's a student or trainee, they always seem to be engaged and paying attention - and the doc (or whoever) frequently has them repeat the exam or procedure (ultrasound tech comes to mind)

With my regular doctor there's no chaperone. Just me and her. Not sure if that would change if I brought up an issue that involved something in a more intimate area.

I went to a gastroenterologist for rectal itching and whenever she does an exam / procedure there's always a nurse in the room.

Dermatologist is similar. Always had a nurse in the room for the exam. Usually they are taking notes but they're always there. I went a couple months ago because I got into some poison ivy. Figured they'd just give me some steroids and ointments and send me on my way but went in and was asked to undress to underwear and put on a gown. Then both the doctor and the nurse both had students shadowing them so it was a crowded room.

Interesting Post and thoughts

teacher, no way, that never happened to me or anyone I know here in germany

But,a After a certain age my mom was waiting outside the exam room at the pediatrician and I went in alone and the nurse was there

Greetings

Jule

The only time in memory there's been anyone present other than the doctor for one of my exams was when I see my dermatologist. Then he just has someone present who takes notes of exam findings.

The only time in memory there's been anyone present other than the doctor for one of my exams was when I see my dermatologist. Then he just has someone present who takes notes of exam findings.

Same here, except once an orthopedic surgeon once had a nurse “note taker “ scribe range of motion data he barked out while manipulating my shoulders and arms.

This was a long time ago, I recall a physical with two ladies at school, I guess one was doctor and the other nurse!

I don't recall having a nurse standing by when seeing a doctor "normally", at least in France.

Like it is said by "Jacana" at school when I was young , in the 60's for secondary school, we had each year a compulsory physical exam performed at school by a doctor always assisted by a nurse, she was not really here as a chaperone she performed a part of the exam like weigh-in and eyes test and many other checks even the urine test, some years especially at high school, there was also a training nurse student who was always a girl aged of about 20, she helped the school nurse.

at a private doctor's offic , I have never seen a chaperone , may be at hospitals but I doub about it as a requirement. At some medical centers there can be a female nurse to assist a doctor but she had a job, she took notes ...

In Norway and Sweden in the 1950es -1970es and possibly longer, a special teacher at the school had certain administrative responsibilities, especially that about disipline and that about arranging school physicals These teachers were mostly female.

In Norway she had the title "tilsynslærerinne" meaning something like "surveillance teacheress".

She took care of the practical arrangements by our school physicals and participated during them. A nurse or doctor examined us, but she even discussed medical issues with the nurse., while we got examined naked.

Only had this happen at my dermatologist and I think it was as much a note taker as it was a chaperone. It was my first appointment with this doctor and did not know what to expect. I did not really think anything of it that there was another person there. For the exam I was in my underwear and a paper gown that was basically off by the end so I was standing there in just my boxers. The doctor turned to the note taker / chaperone and said thank you Renee, you can leave now. Assuming the exam was over I was about to get dressed when the doctor looked at me and instructed me to lower my underwear. He performed a visual exam of my penis and testicles then my buttocks and anal area. Similar exam the next year, but the note taker / chaperone was male. He stayed in the room when it was time for me to drop my shorts.

My recent physical I was completely nude and alone with my female PCP.

I just got out of the hospital after 10 days in. The nurses and female assistants were everywhere. I had only the gown with no underwear at all so I was exposed for their viewing nearly all the time and most of them didn't seem to be shy about looking. One assistant was a young girl who thought she recognized me. We figured out that she knew me from me being the guy at the corner at the high school she graduated from last year. My job was to control the parent traffic and keep them from interfering with busses. So she had to be quite young, under 18 I would guess. She seemed to consider my nakedness to be as normal as if I was clothed. That doesn't bother me at all. I'm there so they can help get me well and I want them to be able to see as much of my body as necessary.

I have had my providers bring in others to watch and I don't care, bring in the whole office staff if they want. I don't mind being a training aid.