privacy during medical exam

[Unidentified 2,930]

And they have seen plenty of genital areas and won't care about yours.

[Boxingfan 2]

I long for the day were people will just accept Bruce Jenner and stop mocking him. Just imagine what he must go through. It's an incredible journey that can't be easy for anyone who feels they were born in the wrong body.

you mean.. she, right?

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Why would anyone feel uncomfortable being medically checked by a doctor of a different gender?

Get over it. It's a 30 seconds check...

We're all different and are comfortable/uncomfortable with different things. I would never let a male doctor check me unless it was life or death.

[Unidentified 2,930]

you mean.. she, right?

Yes, I'm sorry you're right. I definitely meant she.

[Soup Dragon 104]

Hey!

I hope you dont mind me asking..I will have my medical in Frankfurt as well...did you have to wait long until you had everything checked by the doctor?

Since they do not require an appointment I figured that maybe the wait there will be forever or so.

Also did they just require the seasonal flu shot and what is MMR?

Thanks so much for the info!!

Hi!

No need to worry about the medical!

When you arrive at the clinic they give you a piece of paper with a number on and tell you to wait on the first floor.

When your number is called you go to the admin office where they give you a medical questionnaire to complete and where they also take your money. They didn't accept my husband's credit card (not sure if it was because it was an American card or whether this is their policy) so he had to go to a bank across the road to get cash. Don't forget your FOUR US sized passport photos!

Once the admin bit is done, you go downstairs for the chest x ray and pee test. After this you go back upstairs and wait to see the doctor. They will go over your questionnaire with you and talk about anything you write on the form (such as operations etc). For me they just checked my breathing, blood pressure and there was the piercing and tattoo question plus some discussion about an eye operation I had a long time ago. I didn't have all the necessary shots from the UK so I was told I needed MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and flu before they could send my file to the consulate. I got the shots done the next day on the army post and emailed the paperwork to the clinic. My interview was two weeks after the medical and there weren't any timing issues, they send everything via courier.

I got there about 10.30am and was there about 90 minutes in all. It was a good experience, everyone was friendly and efficient.

One thing, if you are driving to the clinic, there is no car park, it's all street parking and is quite busy so do bear this in mind.

Good luck!

[BaronB 42]

They will absolutely check the genital area, it has be checked off on the medical inspection list. While some people assume this is to prove your sex, it has a dual purpose to look for active STD infections. Infectious/active syphilis is an automatic Class A medical condition and will get you an automatic ban until you have been properly treated with penicillin injections.

There is no privacy in this immigration process, not legally or medically. If you don't accept that fact, don't bother trying to immigrate.

[Unidentified 2,930]

They will absolutely check the genital area, it has be checked off on the medical inspection list. While some people assume this is to prove your sex, it has a dual purpose to look for active STD infections. Infectious/active syphilis is an automatic Class A medical condition and will get you an automatic ban until you have been properly treated with penicillin injections.

There is no privacy in this immigration process, not legally or medically. If you don't accept that fact, don't bother trying to immigrate.

Feels like double work: blood test for Syphilis and checking genital area. Not all people get any signs down there anyway...

By the way Baron

Edited April 26, 2015 by Maria&Seve

[BaronB 42]

Feels like double work: blood test for Syphilis and checking genital area. Not all people get any signs down there anyway...

By the way Baron

Blood test will come back positive for Syphilis, EVEN if it has been treated before and you are not infectious. That's why it's not a good idea to lie when they ask if you have had STDs before.

Infectious syphilis, the one they are really interested in, usually presents symptoms down there.

Yes I know about my timeline

[Unidentified 2,930]

Blood test will come back positive for Syphilis, EVEN if it has been treated before and you are not infectious. That's why it's not a good idea to lie when they ask if you have had STDs before.

Infectious syphilis, the one they are really interested in, usually presents symptoms down there.

Yes I know about my timeline

Okay I didn't know that.

Well it can show up on other places but that one is the hardest one to see. I doubt they will do that on the medical because they would have definitely warned me about it first in the letter from the clinic... I think. Oh well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[BaronB 42]

Okay I didn't know that.

Well it can show up on other places but that one is the hardest one to see. I doubt they will do that on the medical because they would have definitely warned me about it first in the letter from the clinic... I think. Oh well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Don't worry - be honest. Mine was a very quick test but there was touching involved, not just looking. I guess all doctors are different.

I am male btw, and the Dr was male so I didn't really care what he wanted to check or touch. If you are female, there will be a female nurse if the the Dr is male.

Good luck!

[Unidentified 2,930]

Don't worry - be honest. Mine was a very quick test but there was touching involved, not just looking. I guess all doctors are different.

I am male btw, and the Dr was male so I didn't really care what he wanted to check or touch. If you are female, there will be a female nurse if the the Dr is male.

Good luck!

Fun times... Oh well, soon all this is over and done with.

[BaronB 42]

As you said above, they've seen and touched every inch of the human body many times. It's their job. People who are not medical workers don't know just HOW MUCH these people have seen. A quick genital examination is like a normal person typing an email, it's routine.

[Unidentified 2,930]

As you said above, they've seen and touched every inch of the human body many times. It's their job. People who are not medical workers don't know just HOW MUCH these people have seen. A quick genital examination is like a normal person typing an email, it's routine.

Oh, I know. I am a nurse's assistant. I have seen my fare share of genitals over the years. I am just not used to having to show myself to strangers but I know they won't care and I know it will be fine.

[Villanelle 4,121]

Wow this has turned into a very long thread.

Everyone has different levels of comfort- theres nothing wrong with that, but as Baron has pointed out, the medical is required.

If you have specific concerns- you can request a same sex doctor. Its preferable to contact the clinic beforehand if you need special arrangements- so that your process is not delayed.

With that in mind- as we all know in an imaginary world run by robots everyone would follow the same guidelines and script and things would run like clockwork. The same assembly line treatment and examine. Patient one- open mouth/insert thermometer, turn-drop pants/get shot- NEXT! haha.

But we fortunately are people and that whole variable of free will and discretion and interpretation comes into play

Here is a link for the official guidelines of what a civil surgeon or panel physician should be doing during the exam. What they actually do.... well... eh.. Some people do a better job then others. Thats life. Is anyone truly surprised to hear of the concept that someone didnt do their job to the standards set? Or the other extreme someone got responsibility like filling out a form and took it to the far end of I must thoroughly perform each duty to the highest ability or will not sign off - I am GOD. meh.

http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions/panel-physicians/medical-history-physical-exam.html

The site above has many links about the medical-however you are pretty much at the mercy of the dr you choose- so again- IF you have any type of issues or concerns use the forums to seek out reviews and hear others experiences first- all drs are different. Contact the potential clinics for prior arrangements if needed.

For those that dont click outside links:

From CDC SITE

The visa medical examination requires

a. a medical history, obtained by the panel physician or a member of the physician's professional staff, from the applicant (preferably) or a family member, which includes

1. a review of all hospitalizations

a review of all institutionalizations for chronic conditions (physical or mental)

a review of all illnesses or disabilities resulting in a substantial departure from a normal state of well-being or level of functioning

specific questions about psychoactive drug and alcohol use, history of harmful behavior, and history of psychiatric illness not documented in the medical records reviewed and

a review of chest radiographs and treatment records if the alien has a history suggestive of tuberculosis

b. a review of any other records that are available to the physician (e.g., police, military, school, or employment) and that may help to determine a history of harmful behavior related to a physical or mental disorder and to determine whether illnesses or disabilities are present that result in a substantial departure from a normal state of well-being or level of functioning.

c. a review of systems sufficient to assist in determining the presence and the severity of Class A or Class B conditions. The physician should ask specifically about symptoms that suggest cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Symptoms suggestive of infection with any of the excludable communicable diseases (tuberculosis, syphilis, chanchroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum, and Hansen's disease) should also be sought.

d. a physical examination, including an evaluation of mental status, sufficient to permit a determination of the presence and the severity of Class A and Class B conditions. The physical examination is to include

1. a mental status examination which includes, at a minimum, assessment of intelligence, thought, cognition (comprehension), judgment, affect (and mood), and behavior

a physical examination that includes, at a minimum, examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin and external genitalia

all diagnostic tests required for the diagnosis of the diseases identified as communicable diseases of public health significance and other tests identified as necessary to confirm a suspected diagnosis of any other Class A or Class B condition.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I can now confirm that in Sweden they respect your integrity and does not check your genital area.

Edited April 27, 2015 by Maria&Seve