What is your *social lilfe* ?

[Something Else]

was the question asked of me, when i was preparing to answer preliminary questions for my physical examination next week.

Caught off guard to that, particular, question...i paused...perhaps enough of one where the receptionist looked at me and then said: it's okay...there are a lot of people that prefer to leave that just blank

never realized that was even information needed in taking a physical?!?!?!

anyone knows why they would ask of your orientation?

anyone that may be able to fill me in I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[RicanDAB]

Doctors / nurses have never asked me about my "social life" before - not in those terms anyway. I HAVE been asked whether I was sexually active. That is important for them to know so that they can determine whether you are in a higher risk group for certain conditions (i.e., AIDS and/or STDs and/or Hepatitis A & B, etc.). In my case, I have a gay-friendly doctor (who is actually himself gay) and that way I am completely free to discuss anything about my health with him, including concern specific to gay men. When it comes to a medical doctor, I prefer that he be receptive to that part of my life so that I get the best care possible.

 

[BrandonSBCA]

Wow when I was getting my physical the doctor never asked me that question.

 

[Christopher123]

I don't even understand what their point is. If someone would ask me that question, I'd say, "Yes, I have a social life, I talk to human beings on a daily basis."

 

[M4P]

Great thread and I will be following it closely out of interest. I've moved it to Health & Well Being where it should generate more exposure and responses

 

[dunno260]

I haven't heard of a doctor asking that specifically. The sexually active question is a standard question, but orientation is a new one to me. However, its honestly not a bad question to ask, especially in regards to STDs. If you had say an STD, lets say its ghonerrea thats resistant to antibiotic X and has been going around the gay community, then your sexual orientation would matter (especially if that strain for the time being is mostly being seen in the gay community). So I don't think its an inappropriate question, but its not one I have ever seen or heard a doctor ask.

Thats interesting though. Had it been me, I would have been surprised as well.

 

[star-warrior]

You should say it works for you.

 

[Michael Luc]

I think they were probably trying to find out if you drink a lot, go skydiving -- that kind of thing.

 

[Something Else]

thnx for the move Brian

my appointment for this physical will be late morning on Wednesday--which, I guess when I'll be asked to confirm.

However, it was a question intimating sexual orientation--which prompted me to panic--as I'm not out to anyone except my best friend.

I told her that I was "straight" & "hetero". And then...she said those words of: leaving it blank for now?!

(*U*)

It was the first time I was ashamed of myself for lying when I now have had experiences that are otherwise. However, it concerned me being asked a personal question in the waiting area (where there were 6-10 people waiting and possibly within earshot as well).



I also am a bit paranoid if they may treat my information differently predicated on that *status*.

I'm more fearful of the risks--of having on my public records my sexual orientation for ANYONE to see without ever meeting me personally; than the rewards of possibly having a doctor who may (or may not) be able to tend to symptoms that may be more sexually orientation-specific--and to that end, i'm unaware if that even exists.

so for now...I'm straight...at least with this application.

 

[jockboy01]

I agree that social life doesn't necessarily mean orientation in that context. But if you said it was somehow linked, I'll take it for that.

In which case, you definitely don't have to answer it on a questionaire. That is there in case you feel more comfortable writing it down instead of telling the physician. Generally the question that is supposed to get asked is "are you sexually active with men, women or both?" b/c it avoids the homo/bi/hetero labels. Doctors work on data and the data says that homosexual men are at a higher risk for STDs. That's pure numbers and obviously is different on a case by case basis. Also, gay youth are more likely to attempt suicide based on numbers. So there are definitely some health concerns from the doctor's perspective that are specific to the homosexual individual.

Now, it is very doctor dependant as to how they feel about gays. So that's something you have to judge. Intellectually, they all know that homosexuality is not a choice and not abnormal. Instinctively, it's different. The goal is to find a doctor that you are comfortable enough with to discuss all of your health needs. And you don't have to tell the nurse/receptionist anything that you find personal enough that you just want to discuss it with the doctor. People go to clinics all of the time and for their reason they are vague... "health concerns", "personal problems" and doctors totally understand this.

 

[oz_doc]

I think it would be a good idea that you be comfortable enough with your gp or regular physician to be ale to discuss sexual health issues. Im not exactly sure if this is a work physical or what but certainly here in australia any health information given privately to your doctor either by questionnaire or in person is held in strict confidence and is most definitely not on the "public record" for anyone to access. Many doctors have been struck off the medical record for revealing such information.

Im not sure if he means a description of your social activities, which is a very significant indicatior in many pshychiatric illnesses esp. depression, also the nature of personal relationships are diagnostic in many personality disorders. He might also have meant your sexual social preferences. I think both are reasonable areas for a docor to be interested in, one for the sake of your sexual health and one for the sake of your mental health. I sugest if your not comfortable revealing this information to this doctor that you dont just lie on the form you should find a doc who you are comfortable talking to about such matters.

To jockboy re the comment that doctors are intellectually smart enough to know homosexuality is not a choice or abnormal. In my year of Medical school there was a student who had gone back to med school after being a naturopath for a number of years who firmly beleived that homosexuality was the result of a parasitic infection of the brain, seriously i kid you not. btw he was a religious fundy. lmfao

 

[jockboy01]

Really oz_doc? That's ridiculous. I guess I should edit that then and say that most are. After all, it's been quite a while now that it is no longer considered a psychiatric illness and the general medical community has been taught that it's a variation of normal. But I guess you're right, you can't change the hearts and minds of all... even with education.

 

[Something Else]

just returned from the general physical. The wait took longer more than anything else, however the actual examination went by relatively quickly.

I was taken care of by a male doctor, whom had pretty good bed side manners. He informed me that the blood test work cannot be done (probably meant should not be performed) after having a meal. So I will have to wait for another day to address that.

In case you're wondering...

my doctor asked me: Are you sexually active? to which I replied with a yes; then followed up with: Are you heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual?, to which I replied with a yes once again. Informed me of the risks to be aware of, and the need for protection and the need to not expose myself or make myself vulnerable to contact by protection with condoms.

I have no problem in disclosing that info with him as he is my doctor; whereas I'm still circumspective dealing with anyone else, including the receptionists--who were flirting with me, although they were not my type

Anyways, that was it.

thnx for all the replies to my initial query.

 

[1st love ron]

My dr. also asked me if I was homo or hetero. He was reading from a standard questionnaire asking about family and health history. Caught me off guard and I answered straight (lol) but he knew I lied.

 

[jamie_01930]

I used to have a PCP that i couldn't talk with. When I was coming to terms about being married and gay. I really needed to talk to someone. I had a better relationship with the nurse practionier who suggested I find a doctor that I was more comfortable with and suggested a shrink who I did go see.
Some of the things I tell him I ask it not be written down and he says he understands.

Guys, you need to be able to talk to your doctor and he needs to be able to talk with you.

 

[OutofEden]

I went in to a campus doctor for a routine STD test and was debating whether to be honest about my activities and in the slight time I paused he said "I ran a private practice in New York in the 70's, I can handle anything you want to discuss." I laughed for about a minute!

I'd hope that the receptionist was just being flirtatious or curious herself, she certainly shouldn't be asking patient condition information that may be sensitive within earshot of others, and it really seems like something that at least the nurse should handle, not a receptionist! Maybe they were running a "pride special" and was wondering if you applied for the discount?

 

[hermanding]

the wording could have been a euphemism for 'orientation'. probably better left to be asked by the medico, who really should know that kinda thing in today's world.
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