Was This Ethical?

[Ladsh]

I had a cystoscopy a week ago. I was sedated for the procedure. It is where the doctor puts a camera up into your bladder.

It was done at an outpatient surgical center. It was done under sedation because I was too scared to do it awake. I already have ptsd from complex trauma, including a family member who had a day job being a medical doctor.

I agreed to a cystoscopy. The cystoscopy showed my bladder had some inflammation, which would explain the symptoms of blood in my urine for several months.

I already had a CT scan done per the doctors adamant request two weeks ago. It was normal.

Despite all this, while under sedation, the doctor did a pelvic exam.

I woke up and no doctor was there to tell me the results or how anything went. I was given a note by the nurse to follow up with the doctor in 3 weeks. So I got the medical report and it showed they did a pelvic exam after the cystoscopy and found no abnormalities.

I'm not sure what to think of this. I told a friend tonight, and she flipped out. She doesn't have PTSD but she thought it was very wrong they did a pelvic exam I didn't ever agree to. I keep thinking it couldn't have been done with creepy intent, a nurse and anesthesiologist were int he took the whole time. That's what the record shows.

Still, I never gave consent for them to investigate my other parts. He's a freaking urologist. Not an ob-gyn.

What would be a normal reaction to this?

I did call the doctor and said I need to know what happened. He gave me another copy of the medical report and verbally told me about the cystoscopy. He didn't mention the pelvic exam he put in his report.

It's weird. I think I'm going to find a new doctor. Should I do anything more? It's not rape, but doesn't he have to have an emergency medical reason or cause to do a pelvic exam without consent or even prior discussion with a sedated patient?

 

[Ucato]

From quickly reading, it seems he was already inserting the scope through your urethra, and from a little further reading, the pelvis can show signs and symptoms associated with bladder issues. So it seems to me, just from quick reading of the procedure, that looking at the pelvis and even other areas in relation to a bladder issue, would be common for a doctor crossing his t's and dotting his i's, just to make sure they haven't missed something.

 

[Josaz]

It seems a reasonable course of action for your doctor to me. It's not like he was investigating ear ache and gave you a pelvic exam. It sounds like he was just being thorough so that he wasn't missing anything. The fact that others were present should reassure you . The whole procedure is going to make anyone feel vulnerable and with your history much more so.

 

[Vezo]

Your bladder is in your pelvis so you did consent to your pelvis being examined. That is what you were there for.

 

[Iwopo]

It's unlikely the kind of pelvic exam (OB/Gyn) you're thinking of. A male bladder scope would also usually include a pelvic exam as best practice. Usually palpating above the pubic bone / around the pelvic cavity for swellings, lesions, discolorations, protrusions, and other abnormalities.

 

[Dipo]

How about you directly ask him about the pelvic exam, before you decide to change drs? I'd be bothered by what happened, if it was me, but me probably deserves a chance to explain himself. You also deserve to hear his explanation.

 

[Ladsh]

Thank you so much for the responses!!! I am glad this is normal for this procedure.

I think I will follow through on the appointment with him and let him explain it to me too.

Thank you again. I am much reassured.

 

[Jacib]

I just wanted to chime in that I was given an attempted pelvic exam when it turned out that I had a kidney stone. I say attempted because I have vaginismus so that was impossible. I had to agree not to sue if it turned out that I had a reproductive problem that they were unable to detect.

Those parts are just so close together! Glad you are feeling better.