Exam Procedure

When you go for your annual exam, does your doctor usually talk to you first while you are clothed, or does he simply come in after you have undressed and are on the table to ask you questions about your history, ailments, etc.? I imagine it varies from doctor to doctor, but am curious about your different experiences.

I've never made it a practice to have annual gynecological exams. But I have had three gyn exams by two different doctors in my lifetime. The first one was by a male doctor, the second and third were by a female doctor. In every case, I did not speak with the doctor before the examinations. My introduction to each doctor happened when I was already undressed and wearing an examination gown. With the female doctor, each time, I spoke to her at length in her office after the examination when I was again fully dressed. With the male doctor, he just spoke to me immediately after the exam while I was sitting up on the exam table, and still wearing only the gown. I should add that with the male doctor, the examination took place in the out-patient clinic of a large teaching hospital. With the female doctor, both examinations I had with her were done at her own private facility.

In my experience, often when I have had a new doctor he has taken the time to meet me beforehand and answer any questions. After that however, he would see me once I was undressed and in a gown.

In my experience, the doctor (female) would always first talk to me, when I had still my clothes on. Afterwards I partly undressed what was needed, but no gown was given

In my experience a nurse always gets my weight, leads me to an exam room, gets BP and depending on what the purpose of my visit is will have me put on a gown or not. I actually prefer to put on a gown before the Dr arrives.

Usually I will have had my weight measured, blood pressure taken, any blood work, urine sample etc., and undressed and in a gown by the time the doctor comes in. Occasionally the doctor does see me before I go back, but doesn't start the exam until I am undressed and in a gown in the exam room.

I have gone to the same doctor since I was 16. He knows me and I see him socially also. I'm in a gown and sitting on the table when he comes in and we generally talk before he starts to examine me.

Tami,is it awkward seeing your doctor socially?Anyone else you know go to him?

My wife[s Dr comes in after she is undressed and in a gown. They talk first before the exam.

That's exactly what goes down at my doc's office too. My doc will usually come in and sit down and talk to me for a few. Like "Hey, how you doing?" That kind of stuff. Then when ya least expect it, he whips out the "Ok, why don't you lay back?"..."Yes, Sir!" 😄

I've seen two different gynecologists and they both always talk to me first while I'm clothed, then they leave the room while I change. My current gyno (a women) likes to make small talk while she's examining my breasts, which I find awkward.

My doc chats while I'm still dressed

I am already undressed and sitting on the exam table when the doctor comes in. He spends a couple of minutes with questions, etc. Then he examines me.

The nurse takes me back, weighs me in the hall, then into exam rom. While I'm dressed she reviews and updates history asking questions and putting into chart and then does BP, pulse and temp. Then she provides gown and drape sheet, and gives instructions to undress. When doctor comes in I am in the gown and sitting on the table, makes some chit chat and reviews my history then starts my exam.

I am naked sitting on the exam table by the time the doctor comes in. She sits and talks to me for a minute or two before beginning the exam.

[quote author=Joy-ful link=topic=25403.msg405760#msg405760 date=1323876380]

I am naked sitting on the exam table by the time the doctor comes in. She sits and talks to me for a minute or two before beginning the exam.

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are you naked with or without a gown?

Depends on the doctor I go and see.

For my GP for a sick visit - the nurse takes history, bp, weight, temp etc then escorts me to the exam room. My doc comes in and does a quick exam over my clothes focusing on the area that is sick and sends me on my way. No nudity. No need to get up on the exam table unless he requests it, but he usually can examine me in the chair I'm sitting in instead of on the table. I like him because he goes to where I feel most comfortable and does not invade my space especially when I'm not feeling good at all.

For my Pulmonologist/sleep doc - much the same process as my GP, no exam at all unless I bring up concerns such as a cough ongoing or an issue that needs checking. I usually see the PA instead of the doctor for my follow ups and have not been asked to sit up on the exam table since my first visit there over 4 years ago.

For my OB GYN - same process as above, but the nurse follows me into the exam room, and gets me set up for a full exam, including gown and instructions to strip completely. She then leaves and then my doc and the nurse return to complete the exam. I am completely naked underneath the gown except for my socks on my feet.

For my Endocrinologist - Same process as my GP, but when the doc comes in, he takes his own detailed history and updates his own notes, then asks me to get on the exam table himself. I'm still fully clothed, but he does a fairly complete exam. He lifts my shirt to examine me while I'm up on the table.

Each doc I have been to has their own methods of doing things and I only return to them if they make me feel comfortable in the visit.