Studies indicate that patients frequently possess strong convictions regarding their rights and values in medical contexts. Concerns about modesty, stemming from religious, cultural, personal reasons, or previous negative medical encounters, lead some individuals to avoid or postpone vital medical interventions. Certain patients even choose to travel to another state or country for medical treatment. Others, suffering from PTSD due to past abusive medical interactions, entirely shun healthcare, as underscored in Voices in Bioethics. Healthcare practitioners should understand that disregarding requests for same-sex medical teams during intimate examinations or conducting such procedures without clear consent can cause lifelong psychological harm, potentially resulting in increased mortality as patients become reluctant to seek future medical care.

### Example of Disregarded Patient Wishes

A bladder cancer patient felt so upset by the VA’s neglect of his desire for male-only medical staff that he contemplated abandoning bladder cancer screenings. While he was open to having female nurses for non-intimate procedures, he encountered resistance. Disheartened by the lack of consideration in the U.S., he and his wife relocated to Panama. He ultimately underwent heart bypass surgery in Colombia, where his preference for an all-male medical team was honored.

Dr. Joel Sherman, in “Patient Gender Preferences in Healthcare,” critiques the presumption of gender-neutral contemporary medicine, pointing out that some patients favor same-sex providers for intimate care. This is apparent in the U.S., where numerous women opt for all-female OB/GYN practices, and many men similarly report discomfort in urology settings lacking male staff. Recommendations for enhancing sensitivity towards male patients in urology are available.

In 2019, Dr. Bruce Levy, an orthopedic surgeon, noted unnecessary genital exposure during hip surgeries, leading him to design specialized garments that provide access to the hip while preserving genital coverage, alleviating patient concerns and potentially saving lives by promoting necessary cardiac interventions.

### Successful Patient Advocacy Examples

– A man with severe aortic stenosis, facing a 50% chance of surviving another year without a valve replacement, traveled to a facility that utilized Dr. Levy’s garments for his procedure, experiencing no embarrassment during the successful operation.
– Another man discovered a facility that accommodated an all-male team and permitted special shorts during a colonoscopy, addressing issues that discourage individuals from these procedures.

### Tips for Healthcare Professionals

– **Respect Preferences:** Always respect patients’ wishes regarding same-sex teams for intimate procedures. Recommend alternative facilities if necessary.
– **Avoid Downplaying Wishes:** Refrain from prioritizing your capabilities over patient preferences, particularly in urology where some diminish male patients’ desires for male nurses by referencing the experience of female nurses.
– **Use Sensitive Language:** Steer clear of insensitive comments like “I’ve seen many private parts.” Prioritize patient comfort and autonomy.
– **Avoid Labeling:** Do not categorize patients concerned about dignity as mentally ill.
– **Obtain Express Consent:** Always acquire explicit consent before engaging in intimate procedures or tasks. More information on non-consensual procedures is accessible.
– **Advocate for Patients:** Champion patients’ demands for modesty and dignity.
– **Utilize Coverings:** Employ garments and coverings to uphold patient dignity.
– **Minimize Exposure:** Implement procedures that reduce exposure of private areas whenever feasible.

Misty Roberts, a patient advocate, emphasizes the importance of respectful communication between healthcare providers and patients to protect dignity and autonomy, thereby cultivating a healthcare atmosphere that recognizes and adapts to individual patient needs and preferences.