Eye doctor unclear on consent
Feb. 14th, 2013 02:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
soniaWalked out of the middle of my appointment with an eye doctor. "I'm done." Left me shaking with anger and adrenaline, but proud that I listened to myself and took action. She showed no grasp of the concepts of consent and taking input from patients during the prescription check, and I decided there was no way I would allow her to put drops in my eyes. The woman at the front desk didn't charge me for the half-hour I was there, which was nice, and I did get confirmation that my prescription hadn't changed.
Immediately after I said I'm very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals, she opened an alcohol wipe in front of my face. Fortunately I didn't have a strong reaction, although it might have contributed to the adrenaline reaction. I said, "I need you to check with me before you open anything near me." "But it's routine." "That's why I need you to stop and think. I am very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals."
Later. "I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction." No response, continues asking "this one or this one" while rotating lenses. When she got to that part with the other eye, I said, "Did you hear me say I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction?" "Yes, but I'm still going to do this. 1 ... or 2?" "NO! I'm not going to do this." Pauses. Puts that equipment away, moves on to next part.
Checks my existing glasses prescriptions, notes that I have one pair 20/20, one pair less corrected, which is what I said coming in. Long long spiel about reading and being over 40, even though my close vision is perfect, read the smallest line no trouble. I said, yes, I understand, the 20/20 pair are only for driving or concerts. Continues spiel about the weaker pair being better for reading, so she'd recommend, blah blah blah. I DON'T READ WITH THE STRONG PAIR. That's when I decided I was done. ARGH!!
Pleased with how I handled it, ultimately no harm done, but shaken by the doctor's utter imperviousness to input. Are most people okay with being treated that way? After saying I was done, I asked her how long she's been in practice. "A decade." "Huh, I would have thought you would have acquired some communication skills between now and then." I mean, SERIOUSLY.
Immediately after I said I'm very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals, she opened an alcohol wipe in front of my face. Fortunately I didn't have a strong reaction, although it might have contributed to the adrenaline reaction. I said, "I need you to check with me before you open anything near me." "But it's routine." "That's why I need you to stop and think. I am very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals."
Later. "I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction." No response, continues asking "this one or this one" while rotating lenses. When she got to that part with the other eye, I said, "Did you hear me say I'm not interested in an astigmatic correction?" "Yes, but I'm still going to do this. 1 ... or 2?" "NO! I'm not going to do this." Pauses. Puts that equipment away, moves on to next part.
Checks my existing glasses prescriptions, notes that I have one pair 20/20, one pair less corrected, which is what I said coming in. Long long spiel about reading and being over 40, even though my close vision is perfect, read the smallest line no trouble. I said, yes, I understand, the 20/20 pair are only for driving or concerts. Continues spiel about the weaker pair being better for reading, so she'd recommend, blah blah blah. I DON'T READ WITH THE STRONG PAIR. That's when I decided I was done. ARGH!!
Pleased with how I handled it, ultimately no harm done, but shaken by the doctor's utter imperviousness to input. Are most people okay with being treated that way? After saying I was done, I asked her how long she's been in practice. "A decade." "Huh, I would have thought you would have acquired some communication skills between now and then." I mean, SERIOUSLY.
no subject
Date: 2013-02-15 03:34 am (UTC)Going to the eye doctor about a year and a half ago was one of the most triggering experiences I've had recently. I actually enjoy my regular doctor, because she communicates WITH me and listens to me and explains things to me and doesn't treat me like a machine that needs oiling and adjusting.
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Date: 2013-02-16 02:04 am (UTC)I hate getting eye drops put in and, even worse, the glaucoma test where they touch your eye with the stick. Some eye doctors I've been to get the idea of working with my reflexive reaction to these things... and some think that saying "relax" will help.
When I went for a regular checkup yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when the nurse's assistant asked me whether or not I wanted to be weighed. I said no. At the same place before, they haven't asked, and at a couple of other doctors I go to, they don't ask (they just say "we're going to take your weight"). I think I'm going to start saying no even if they don't ask.
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Date: 2013-02-16 09:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
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