"I felt coerced into procedure"

As a healthcare professional myself, it pains me to have to write this poor review.

I was brought in by ambulance as a cat 1 (lights and sirens) for a severe haemorrhage, loss of consciousness and excruciating abdominal pain. On arrival I was met by a lovely team of nurses and doctors who made me feel safe and helped get my pain under control quickly. I would give them 5 stars if it wasn’t for the following events…

Due to this being a gynaecological issue, the on call gynaecologist presented to my cubicle to assess me. To start with, they questioned why I even bothered coming into hospital. I explained the huge blood loss I had an hour earlier and listed all my symptoms. Ultrasound showed that my IUD had perforated my cervix (absolutely excruciating).

After already having 2 people shove instruments up in my bits, I was bawling my eyes out in absolute agony. This doctor proceeded to give me an ultimatum about my treatment. I expressed my concerns with the doctor about having more internal examinations and that my pain was too high for them to do this. I asked if there were any possible alternatives, perhaps having a light sedation when timing allows. I’ve previously needed light sedation for IUD insertion and removal due to cervical shock and vasovagal episodes.

I recall this doctor proceeded to huff and puff, become very passive aggressive and said essentially I have it out now with not comfort measures or go home and deal with it. A perforated cervix and they said to go home, deal with it and go to a gynae clinic in 2 weeks. Apparently because my blood count was currently normal they seemingly didn’t have a single care in the world. Again I expressed my distress about having the procedure done, I felt this doctor stormed in and out of my cubicle, pressuring me to have this examination or I would be told to go home and continue bleeding heavily? I recall they made it clear that this procedure isn’t painful and rather a psychological issue. After essentially being coerced into this decision as I felt I had no involvement in my care plan, I asked politely if I could use the bathroom first. The doctor let out a massive sigh, looked at the clock and said well come on then, hurry up and that they have more important patients upstairs. I broke down walking to the toilet.

They left me in hysterics. Comparing my importance to their other patients when in fact, I understood they were about to handover to the evening doctors and go home. In my opinion, this doctor needs a lesson in bedside manner and ethics. I was so distressed by this whole situation, was offered zero reassurance, not a single kind or caring word. I felt coerced into having a painful procedure that I wasn’t comfortable with. I felt I had no choice but to succumb to the ultimatum as I refused to go home and I believe bleed to death and deal with this level of pain.

I kept getting told to hurry up and make a decision, stop overthinking it, it isn’t that serious, I have a low pain threshold, I was holding this doctor up from more important patients. I’ve never met such a rude and passive aggressive doctor in my entire life and career. I do hope that they receive this feedback and work on improving their rapport with their patients.

Thankfully, the doctors changed shift and I was greeted by a pleasant gynaecologist who made me feel safe and comfortable. The procedure was performed and although it was extremely painful, this doctor's demeanour and bedside manner made it a little more bearable.

I have officially made a complaint about this doctor. I hope no other patients have to experience this type of treatment.