Continuing on with the discussion regarding issues of physical modesty in the context of medical care, there continues to be debate throughout these Volumes as to who is responsible for the contested inequalities in attention to these issues and what is necessary for the resolution of these issues. Is there a conflict between the male and female gender, working apart, in attaining their own individual modesty goals or should both genders look to each other's physical modesty needs and desires and stand and work together to change the medical care system to meet all their goals? I suspect the latter is the wisest. Perhaps the best suggestion for both genders to become active to the same cause and to get together on a website to develop tools for advocacy. I would suggest checking in at Suzy's site where the goal is to do just that. Here is her description of the Mission Statement and Goals:
MISSION STATEMENT:
We believe that each patient is an individual and as such has specific preferences and needs including what accommodations they require to maximize comfort when their modesty must be compromised in the medical experience. Our mission it to act as a liaison between patients and providers in establishing, understanding, and executing the policies and procedures essential to that end. When appropriate we will act as advocates for patients to achieve that goal through interaction, education, and referrals to both patients and providers.
GOALS: Our goal is to help patients achieve dignified and respectful healthcare through education and information. Everyone has different needs and expectations of their healthcare providers, and we provide choices and options in obtaining those needs. We understand that modesty, privacy, and respect are primary needs when facing procedures and we promote educating providers in the sensitivity of those needs.
ADDENDUM (12-23-2011)
On 12-23-2011, Belinda wrote the following comment : Going back the the "Naked" article, it would seem that now is the time to write protocols for exams with dignity at the forefront with equal accessibility as needed for any kind of exam making draping practices uniform. It would give patients and idea of what to expect and do as much to relieve the awkwardness of such an exam. Any thoughts on this?
I responded with the following:
Belinda, an EXCELLENT suggestion! In fact, to make the suggestion even more productive.. how about the visitors here (even you PT) together create a final consensus list, a series of suggested protocols for attending to all the patient modesty issues experienced in medical care. The development of the list can written to this blog or Dr. Sherman/Doug Capra's or on Suzy's blog.But not just writing this protocol list to our blogs.. the final consensus list should be sent to Dr. Atui Gawande who wrote the article "Naked" in the New England Journal of Medicine and which was the basis for our entire series of Volumes on patient modesty. As some of you may know, Dr.Gawande is now a very well respected individual for his analysis and writings about a host of important medical issues that need fixing or change. By this project on our part, this may be the most direct way, through Dr.Gawande, to get something moving rather than repeated moaning and yearning on our blogs. How is that for an idea? Again, thanks Belinda for a suggestion to get us all "off our butts" (so to speak).
..Maurice.
Graphic: "Man and Woman Apart and Together"-Classic icons modified by me with ArtRage.
NOTICE: AS OF TODAY JANUARY 11, 2012 "PATIENT MODESTY: VOLUME 46" WILL BE CLOSED FOR FURTHER COMMENTS. YOU CAN CONTINUE POSTING COMMENTS ON VOLUME 47
