crystal_waters
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Thanks! Thats good to know
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Can a gynaecologist force you against your will?
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Em_in_FL
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On the reverse side, a practictioner is not required to agree to perform a specific procedure either. If they feel medically that the procedure they recommend is required, or that it be performed in a certain way, they can also elect not to perform the procedure if the patient disagrees.
The patient must then seek out another practictioner.
Agreed.This! I’ve seen more doctors than my entire immediate family members combined and doctors can and do refuse to do a certain treatment a certain way. I know of someone who asked for her doctor to do a procedure vaginally, but he would not for good reasons. A doctor should always explain why but they cannot be forced to do any procedure they are not comfortable with.
If you are uncomfortable with this procedure and/or doctor then it’s time to get a second opinion.
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ellen42
Guest
I also want to reiterate what some others have said as well – you do still have the choice of seeking another doctor and/or second opinion (which I’d recommend).Thanks! Thats good to know
The fact that this particular doctor would vastly prefer to perform a procedure a certain way (to the point of refusing the alternative) is not denying you the medical choice. If she was withholding your medical records so as to not let you seek a second opinion, that would be denying you the medical choice.
If she is only saying “I am not comfortable performing X, but I will perform Y”, then seek another doctor if you want X instead of Y.
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LilyM
Guest
Yes but there is more to it than the fact that you want X. Possibly there are excellent reasons why she is so insistent that you not do X and do Y instead. Perhaps the procedure you want is unreasonably drastic and doesn’t guarantee better results in the long run. Perhaps you’re at such a low risk of whatever you’re being tested for that it doesn’t warrant the more invasive procedure. And doctors have a duty not to perform surgeries if they are really unnecessary.I also want to reiterate what some others have said as well – you do still have the choice of seeking another doctor and/or second opinion (which I’d recommend).
The fact that this particular doctor would vastly prefer to perform a procedure a certain way (to the point of refusing the alternative) is not denying you the medical choice. If she was withholding your medical records so as to not let you seek a second opinion, that would be denying you the medical choice.
If she is only saying “I am not comfortable performing X, but I will perform Y”, then seek another doctor if you want X instead of Y.
Having doctors in my family I can see things from both patient and doctor perspectives on things like this.
On the one hand a doctor must absolutely not just go ahead and do their own thing against patient wishes unless the patient is incompetent or unconscious. On tge other there are plenty of patients who either refuse necessary and life saving treatment for no good reason - or who insist on procedures that are unnecessary and in the end will do no more good than leaving things be. Which must be incredibly frustrating.
And sometimes no amount of explanation will convince either the ones refusing treatment or the ones who insist on being overtreated.
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EasterJoy
Guest
No, I even know of people who have refused treatment for very serious cancers. The cancers killed them eventually. I do not mean that you have something so serious as that, but that that is how serious the right to refuse treatment is. Even if the doctor is convinced that you will die without a procedure, the doctor cannot force you to have it. If you refuse, your medical guardian has to give consent. The only exception is emergencies when getting such consent is not possible.
I’m concerned, too, that you feel afraid of this whole situation. Please do seek out a second opinion. Do not delay a bit, though. Be on the safe side, and get your second opinion as soon as you can. A doctor who is being so forceful is either obnoxiously arrogant or else afraid for your life or fearful that you might lose function or gain a disability by undue delay, and might be both. (Arrogant and absolutely right are not mutually exclusive!!) When you make your appointment, make the diagnosis and symptoms for which you are seeking a second opinion very clear, and make sure you talk to at least a nurse, someone with enough medical background to know it if you need to have that second opinion very quickly. People who are only trained in medical administration may know much of the vocabulary and are vital to a medical office, but they can’t know everything they teach in medical and nursing school. That isn’t what they’re hired to do.
Do go to the emergency department if you have symptoms that indicate you may need emergency treatment, but don’t go to an emergency department merely for a second opinion. They are not trained to second-guess specialists, and if they bring in an on-call specialist to help them, the specialist will probably tell you to make an appointment for a work-up in clinic. That would be a costly mistake for you to make. Besides, the gynecological specialist on-call for emergency consultations might be your gynecologist! Stranger things have happened!
Finally, realize that abdominal incisions are not as dangerous as they used to be, and very often are a lot smaller than they used to be, while accomplishing the same treatment. Ask about that, so you fully understand the pros and cons of your options. Don’t just hear “abdominal” and think you know. It is a whole new world of medicine out there.
I’m concerned, too, that you feel afraid of this whole situation. Please do seek out a second opinion. Do not delay a bit, though. Be on the safe side, and get your second opinion as soon as you can. A doctor who is being so forceful is either obnoxiously arrogant or else afraid for your life or fearful that you might lose function or gain a disability by undue delay, and might be both. (Arrogant and absolutely right are not mutually exclusive!!) When you make your appointment, make the diagnosis and symptoms for which you are seeking a second opinion very clear, and make sure you talk to at least a nurse, someone with enough medical background to know it if you need to have that second opinion very quickly. People who are only trained in medical administration may know much of the vocabulary and are vital to a medical office, but they can’t know everything they teach in medical and nursing school. That isn’t what they’re hired to do.
Do go to the emergency department if you have symptoms that indicate you may need emergency treatment, but don’t go to an emergency department merely for a second opinion. They are not trained to second-guess specialists, and if they bring in an on-call specialist to help them, the specialist will probably tell you to make an appointment for a work-up in clinic. That would be a costly mistake for you to make. Besides, the gynecological specialist on-call for emergency consultations might be your gynecologist! Stranger things have happened!
Finally, realize that abdominal incisions are not as dangerous as they used to be, and very often are a lot smaller than they used to be, while accomplishing the same treatment. Ask about that, so you fully understand the pros and cons of your options. Don’t just hear “abdominal” and think you know. It is a whole new world of medicine out there.
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ellen42
Guest
I’m not saying you should shop around till you find a doctor that’s willing to do something medically unnecessary or overly dangerous – however, I am saying that getting a second opinion from a second doctor is always an option. That second doctor may agree with the first. However, the first doctor is not violating anybody’s rights just by saying that they’ll do Y but not X.Yes but there is more to it than the fact that you want X. Possibly there are excellent reasons why she is so insistent that you not do X and do Y instead. Perhaps the procedure you want is unreasonably drastic and doesn’t guarantee better results in the long run. Perhaps you’re at such a low risk of whatever you’re being tested for that it doesn’t warrant the more invasive procedure. And doctors have a duty not to perform surgeries if they are really unnecessary.
Having doctors in my family I can see things from both patient and doctor perspectives on things like this.
On the one hand a doctor must absolutely not just go ahead and do their own thing against patient wishes unless the patient is incompetent or unconscious. On tge other there are plenty of patients who either refuse necessary and life saving treatment for no good reason - or who insist on procedures that are unnecessary and in the end will do no more good than leaving things be. Which must be incredibly frustrating.
And sometimes no amount of explanation will convince either the ones refusing treatment or the ones who insist on being overtreated.
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epan
Guest
Your physician may have some very good medical reasons for the recommendation. However, it appears to me that you do not trust your doctor’s opinion. Therefore, my suggestion would be to get another opinion, from a doctor that you feel you trust more. You mentioned having other doctors. You might ask one of them for a referral. Trust me. Doctors want you to be comfortable with the care you are receiving, and they have no problem with your getting another opinion.I’m not saying you should shop around till you find a doctor that’s willing to do something medically unnecessary or overly dangerous – however, I am saying that getting a second opinion from a second doctor is always an option. That second doctor may agree with the first. However, the first doctor is not violating anybody’s rights just by saying that they’ll do Y but not X.
But please, so not procrastinate.
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peacoat
Guest
It’s really important to understand that dr’s are also trained. They may only know how to do a procdure one way.
I think it’s important you get a second opinion with a DR who will take the time to explain.
I have a feeling that a Dr who explains the why, even if they do the procdure the way you don’t want it done, will be recieved much better.
Also, don’t let the internet carry too much weight as far as how procedures are done. Sometimes what used to be done, while it seems better on the surface, is not. For instance they have figured out not removing some cancer cells and using radition increses chances of survival as the risk of reoccuance or spreading even after physical removal is insanely high. You might mentally feel like it’s better to have the cancer out, but it might not realistically be the right choice.
A good dr would explain this.
Point is no dr is FORCING you to do this. Get a second opinion and make a choice. No DR should have to be “forced” to do a procedure they don’t believe in. It’s the crux of our pro life values.
I think it’s important you get a second opinion with a DR who will take the time to explain.
I have a feeling that a Dr who explains the why, even if they do the procdure the way you don’t want it done, will be recieved much better.
Also, don’t let the internet carry too much weight as far as how procedures are done. Sometimes what used to be done, while it seems better on the surface, is not. For instance they have figured out not removing some cancer cells and using radition increses chances of survival as the risk of reoccuance or spreading even after physical removal is insanely high. You might mentally feel like it’s better to have the cancer out, but it might not realistically be the right choice.
A good dr would explain this.
Point is no dr is FORCING you to do this. Get a second opinion and make a choice. No DR should have to be “forced” to do a procedure they don’t believe in. It’s the crux of our pro life values.
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mary_bobo
Guest
Did the physician say anything about this procedure that she recommends being a diagnostic procedure? Are you sure you understood the reason why she wants to do it the way she suggested? I don’t think I would second guess the doctor or accuse her of not having your best interest at heart. If you are not satisfied with her explanation, instead of getting yourself in a tizzy, make an appointment with another gynecologist. Hopefully someone new on the case can provide you with the confidence you lack in your current practitioner.Because she told me by doing it vaginally, solid growths wont be removed or tested…i want it removed incase its cancer
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