Odd Questions at the Doctor's Office.
By Siduri
@msiduri (5687)
United States
October 12, 2016 2:26pm CST
While I was at what used to be politely called the “lady doctor” the other day, the nurse performed the usual tasks of taking my temperature and taking my blood pressure (yeah, you think it’s a little high because I’m SO looking forward to this visit?). After she finished the, she handed me a card with three questions written on it and told me to read them and let her know if any of them applied to me.
I don’t recall the first one, but it dealt with domestic violence. The second asked if my partner hit me or otherwise physically abused me. The third one asked if I were afraid of my partner.
Happily, none of these things is remotely an issue for me, and I told her so. I wish I’d had the presence of mind to ask her what the procedure is if I had domestic abuse to report.
On the one hand, I’m heartened that the doctor’s office is screening for domestic abuse. On the other hand I’m saddened that it’s so common the doctor’s office screens for it.
3 people like this
4 responses
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
13 Oct 16
Yes. I think maybe even if the woman who is being abused would tend to deny it the first time she is asked this at the doctor's office, she will remember they're interested. She will remember she can talk about the abuse later, if she can get the courage.
But you're right about it being a better world if such services were not needed in the first place.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
12 Oct 16
And sadly, many of the victims of domestic violence would still deny it.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
13 Oct 16
Glad that they are doing that and I agree that sadly most women would deny it but if they help even one thenight it is all worth it. Sad that it has come to that but good that it is out there and not being kept a secret.
