this is not an unreasonable request.talk to the doctors and you will find one that will help you.
I really appreciate your thoughts on this sensitive matter. Well...sensitive to me anyway. Thanks.
you are most certainly not alone.
see http://bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com/2006/05/patient-modesty-more-significant-issue_11.html
and you will feel less isolated. If you are paying (or your insurance company), don't let them railroad you into something you don't want.
Wow! I took a look at that site, and for the first time in 30+ years, I don't feel like the world is a black tuxedo and I'm a pair of brown shoes. Thanks so much for that!
I centainly understand your situation. I am a teacher in an Alabama community college/ We have a nursing program and I have taught lots of nurses in my area. At the local urology office, I asked for the male physician to do the intimate things himself and almost always he did so. A couple of times, he indicated the women there were better at some things than he was. He employed NO MEN to assist him in the office. There are 4 male urologists and about 16 FEMALE workers. There has only been ONE of the women who I will consent to do things on me because I simply can't deal with it being who ever is available when I happen to be there. After changing to another urology office in a near-by MUCH larger city where a mecical school is, there was no problem with male nurses doing what I wanted them to do. I did have females in the OR there but they did NO PREP work on me,as per my request. I had also asked for all males in my hometown hospitals and for 3 prostate operations they did that for me. I tell all men--DON'T HESITATE TO ASK if you would like a special consideration. I think sometimes they are just so used to doing what they do, they don't think that a GUY might have a modesty issue. I indicated at the last hospitilization 3 weeks ago that I was NOT comfortable having a mlae nurse observe my catheter (I didn't have a problem and he DID NOT need to see under the towel over my lap)--he backed off and said ok....I asked the next day nurse to bring me a syringe to deflate the balloon and let me remove my own catheter, as my urologist surgeon had said I could do and she complied....Again-- if you feel strongly about this....ASK FOR ACCOMODATION and if they are unwilling to comply, ask what the alternatives might be that could put you more at ease---ie special draping, etc.
Sounds very reasonable, however in many doctor's office's you may have to settle for the janitor, for want of another male!
Personally I prefer female practitioners. I find that, generally, they are gentler and more understanding. I remember one time that I needed a testicular ultrasound (years ago) and when the tech (female) found out that I was male (don't know who else she thought she was doing a testicular ultrasound on!!!), she refused to do it. Since there wasn't a male tech on duty I had to drive 20 miles to another hospital, which I didn't appreciate. I think if the patient has a problem, that's one thing; but a tech needs to be professional.
Thanks so much folks, I appreciate the support, especially the post from someone who appears to be a member of the medical community. Or perhaps you both are. In either or any case, many thanks for your encouraging words of support and understanding. This matter has been troubling me, literally for decades, and you've all been a tremendous help!