"Negative experience turned positive"

This feedback relates to the two doctors in the dermatology clinic that saw me recently. It also relates to a nurse who was excellent in supporting me with compassion to share my feedback to the senior doctor. I had a negative experience with the two doctors initially, which ultimately turned out to be positive, after I was able to share my feedback to the senior doctor, with the help of the nurse, and the doctor listened to my feedback.

I went into a dermatology appointment at Broome Hospital. There were two doctors of a different gender to me. They closed the door and stood between me and the door. They asked me questions in rapid succession about my symptoms and prior treatment. Before I could answer one question, they interrupted me and asked the next question. They then approached me and stood very close. One of the doctors lifted my hair and touched my body before I was ready. I was too shocked and frightened for words to come out of my mouth. I froze. I felt unsafe. Finally I said "I'm scared".

The doctors stopped and went and got a female nurse. They went outside of the office while the nurse talked with me in the office. By then I was crying. She was extremely compassionate. She listened to me. She was very kind. She said she would advocate for me and support me.

The senior doctor came back in. I explained to them that I know they were just doing their job, however, the manner of the two doctors had made me feel frightened to the point that I froze, and then cried a lot. I explained to them that with another patient, their manner may have been received fine. However, they may never know if a patient has had sexual assault or abuse in the past, so they should be more cautious, for example, asking consent clearly, and receiving consent from the patient, before getting in the patient's personal space, grabbing their limbs and touching their body and hair.

To their credit the senior doctor listened carefully to me. We then went on to talk about my skin ailments, however I was so upset I couldn’t focus on what the doctor was saying. So they wrote down some notes for me. I appreciated that. Then, at the end of the appointment, the senior doctor thanked me for my feedback, which helped me feel heard.

I believe the doctors I saw that day are good people, performing a helpful service in our society. I think they were just in a rush, their job is one of pressure, so I want to state that I don’t think they were deliberately being rough, abrupt or unprofessional. They did not mean to scare me. After I gave them my feedback, the doctor who said thank you, helped me feel heard, and ultimately it was a positive experience of good clear communication being given and received.

I can not speak highly enough of the nurse, who was extremely compassionate and supportive. I don’t know her name but hope she can somehow know how grateful I was. For the doctors, perhaps some training around gentle bedside manner, personal space, and asking for consent can help them and the other professionals in this space moving forward.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience.