Lacking In Social Graces

My wife and I had a very strange occurance a couple hours ago, so I thought I'd tell you about it while it's still fresh in my mind. My wife is currently unemployed (like millions of other Americans), so she decided to try and earn some extra money doing medical research. There are a lot of fantasy stories about medical research, but if you are perfectly healthy or have some specific disease, you can earn some real money doing research. Craigslist, in the volunteer section, is a good place to find these studies advertised. The particular study today is a seven week, 10 session study for a medication that is currently being used to treat a particular disease to see if it could be used for something else. It pays $700. It requires a blood test, urine test and complete physical exam including pelvic. It seems appropriate for the study, so we didn't give it a second thought. We arrived at the clinic, filled out the obligatory pile of paperwork and she gave her urine and blood samples. The study coordinator then told my wife to go into the exam room. She said it was ok for me to be there, so I eagerly agreed. That was when the bizarreness began. The coordinator said (her exact words), "Okay honey, strip down to your birthday suit and sit on the edge of the table so we can check your pussy". I almost fell out of the chair. I swear to you that is exactly what and how she said it. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and a Nurse Practitioner for almost 20 years and I have never heard such unprofessionalism. I won't bore you with too much detail, but I had a fairly negative reaction to her and raised some serious doubts as to just who her mother and father actually were. My wife just went about her business like it was nothing. The Nurse Practitioner in the office did the exam with no further strangeness. My wife is going to continue in the study. Do you think I overreacted? I'd like to hear your opinions.

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I won't bore you with too much detail, but I had a fairly negative reaction to her and raised some serious doubts as to just who her mother and father actually were. My wife just went about her business like it was nothing. The Nurse Practitioner in the office did the exam with no further strangeness. My wife is going to continue in the study. Do you think I overreacted? I'd like to hear your opinions.

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Overreacted?

It's hard for me to say since you have not told us what you specifically said and how you said it.

Was that an exam or a porn interview? Though.. if I was there.. I think that would have gotten me hot.. seeing my wife getting a full physical from another woman and that she used "pussy"... 😮 😁

At least they could have said it in much more elegant manner:

like please remove every stitch of clothing. sorry no gowns are available. we will examine you now, you're pelvic area will be scrutinized. or something along those lines.

I do not believe some of those studies, use the most experienced types. I do not think you overreacted, particularly if you felt offended. Nobody should have to feel that way.

I'd say that was pretty outrageous behavior on the part of the study coordinator. Do you know what medical qualifications she has, if any? I am assuming she is not an M.D. I say this because she sure sounds like she has had little or no prior experience in dealing with people in a medical setting. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I suppose it's possible that due to inexperience, she might have thought that speaking in such a breezy offhand manner would put your wife at ease. If this is the case, she needs to be taken aside and told that she's made a serious error in judgment, and needs to totally rethink her approach to those taking part in the study.

Was the nurse practitioner present when the coordinator made those statements? If so, what was her reaction? From what you said about the rest of the exam proceeding without incident, it would seem the nurse practitioner is professional in her approach. So it's quite possible, if she did hear what the coordinator said, that nurse practitioner has already had words with her to the effect that the attitude she displayed has no place in a clinical setting. If so, I hope she managed to set the coordinator straight, and there are no further incidents like this with either your wife or with anyone else taking part in the study.

In the meantime, I think it'd be a very good idea for you to accompany your wife during her visits to the facility - especially if there are further examinations involved. I understand this might mean your having to take time away from work, which is something few of us can afford to do. But still, it would be best for you to be present at least until you and your wife are satisfied that the problem has been effectively addressed, and that there are not going to be any further improprieties like this.

Since making the post I have spoken to that individuals supervisor and I have been assured the problem will be resolved. By the way, the Nurse Practitioner heard the comment as well and had already reported it. As far as I'm concerned, that should close the matter, but I don't think I'm going to let my wife go there alone. Thanks everyone for your comments.