Perfect time for me to come across your discussion topic! I've had one heck of a time with this and actually just seen my new GYN today (it was awful, but I like her!) Now in the past, the office I go to was, well, bad. They never done full breast exams or anything. I always felt bad when I left there. The last Dr (she was fired, hence why I seen a NEW one today lol) had done crazy things! My close friends and sisters also go to the same Dr so after my last pap smear, the GYN used a LARGE speculum and it's not bad for some people, but I'm really small down there and it was painful. She used water instead of lube. I understand lube can mess with the test results, but when you're using a large speculum on a tiny girl, you'll need lube! She had also done this with others as well as other bad things.
Anyways, had the new GYN today and it took over an hour for her to find my cervix, but she was actually great. She didn't leave anything out. So the most important things I look for is someone who WANTS to do their job, treats you like a person and is very understanding. Also, has to be female. I prefer having someone who will care to discuss things with me in depth and answer question or at least give me the opportunity to ask them. I want a very kind and understanding person, but also someone who knows what they're doing and does not rush through important breast exams.
Those things, I never had in the past with my GYN's. There were times where they were flat out rude too. I remember when I had my first miscarriage and when I went in the nurse told me it must've been my own fault. She never told me why it would be my fault and come to find out I had endometriosis and that was the cause of my miscarriages and problems! I don't think endo is my fault. But I don't want a doctor who treats people that way, even if they're knowledgable. I'm always very sure to inform my own self of things about my body and signs, things to look out for, etc. I also like to know exactly how any kind of procedure or exam is supposed to go that way I know if I'm not being done properly. I'm a little weird about it though
I'd say having both a kind, understanding dr. that will try to understand you and your needs as well as one that won't skimp when it comes to important exams is equally important. If you care about your patients, you won't be hateful and you won't rush exams. Rushing those exams could be disasterous! My mom was just telling me a story today about a lady who had her MALE dr. tell her multiple times that her breast lump was fine and she went to a diff. dr. and was diagnosed with cancer. Blowing a patient's concerns off is uncalled for.
