Booze for me, is a definite no. There are other ways to go about this. The play patient needs to be comfortable around them doctor for them to relax - a certain amount of nervousness is expected and also intended - otherwise, the fun of play is lost. However, if the patient is overly nervous and tensed, insertion of speculum and scopes become not so pleasurable for all concerned.
For this reason, I have always tried to build rapport and strike conversations on common interests with my patients while they are fully clothed - it helps build that rapport. Looking in the eye while talking also seems to help, as do talking in a deep soothing voice and reassuring the patient that the exam is for their "own good".
When the patient is in a gown, I have noticed touching their forearm or pressing their hand while talking seems to relax them. Talking also helps - though I usually decide beforehand if the patient wants to chit chat about the exam or other topic of interest. So does an encouraging sentence or two - "You are doing fantastic" or "Your being relaxed is helping this go so smoothly". Anytime you move to the breast exam, the patient is bound to get more nervous. For this reason, after the breasts are exposed, for a minute or two, keep one hand in areas that relaxes them - if you were touching the forearm or hands or even forehead before initiating the breast exam, continue to do so. The same goes for pelvic and rectal exams - when the genitals are first exposed, try to keep one hand in an area that the patient has been used to being touched while doing the visual inspection.
Hope this helps.
PlayMichael - the playdoctor who provides a relaxing play exam
PS: copyright licensed from Lady Teddy 😃