It’s a common experience to feel embarrassed about visiting the doctor. Whether it’s due to embarrassing symptoms, lifestyle issues, or low confidence, you’re not alone in this. It’s important to remember that these feelings shouldn’t hinder you from getting the healthcare you need.
Overcoming healthcare embarrassment can be a significant step towards improving your quality of life. It’s one of the most common factors preventing people from getting treatment for health conditions. By addressing this, you can ensure you get the medical care you need when you need it without prolonging any suffering.
However, it’s not just as easy as telling people not to be embarrassed to go to the doctor. Deep down, everybody knows there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Doctors are well experienced and treat a whole range of health conditions, from minor ailments to the most complex and embarrassing conditions that people can have. But that doesn’t take away the fact that, on an individual level, it can be uncomfortable to open up to a doctor about something you are living with, but it is not impossible.
If you want to overcome your medical embarrassment, the following tips can help you to do just that for your next doctor’s visit.
Telemed Services
Telemed services are doctors’ services that are performed over the phone or via video call and can be conducted by filling in a form online only. Using telehealth consulting services, for example, is simply filling in a form detailing your symptoms and your issues, and a medical professional will then review the information you provide and let you know the next course of action, whether this be treatments or suggesting a referral. This method of obtaining healthcare is perfect for those who have embarrassing conditions or symptoms that they don’t wish to discuss with anyone face-to-face and can help as an actual layer of anonymity to access healthcare, which could be a win-win. You don’t have to suffer, and you also don’t have to go through the embarrassment of looking another person in the eye and discussing something you feel uncomfortable about.
Tell the Doctor
This won’t be a doctor’s first time dealing with somebody who is embarrassed about discussing any symptoms that have an impact on their health. Any good doctor will be able to work with you to help you discuss what is actually bothering you so they can treat you and resolve the issue where possible. At the start of your appointment, simply tell them that you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about what you need to discuss, and they can then work with you to help put you at ease and treat you the best way possible.
It might be that they get you to write down what the problem is, or they make a comfortable, safe space for you to talk to them, or if you’re seeing a doctor of a different gender, they can suggest bringing in somebody you feel more comfortable around into the room to help you open up. It’s entirely to you and the doctor to find the best course of action but they can’t help you if they don’t know.
Ask For A Specific Doctor
One empowering way to overcome any excess embarrassment about accessing healthcare is to request a doctor you feel more comfortable with specifically. While it might not completely erase your embarrassment, the more at ease you feel, the easier it will be to talk, and the more you will trust the person you’re sharing this information with.
It’s All Confidential
What is said between you and your doctor in the consultation room stays in that room. Sure, they have to make notes and put them on your file for further treatment and to have a complete history of you and your medical care; however, they will not willingly discuss you personally, your symptoms or your treatment plan unless it’s to gain the advice of another doctor in which case it will still be confidential, and you personally won’t be identified. It will simply be a knowledge-sharing exercise. Your confidentiality is protected at all times. It doesn’t matter how embarrassed you are in that room; nothing will leave those 4 walls unless you reveal all to another person.
Being embarrassed to see a doctor can lead you on a path of avoiding healthcare and suffering for longer than you should. Finding options that help you overcome your issues by discussing sensitive details with the doctor can be a breakthrough for you to get the care you need when you need it.
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