Pride Edition 2022 | Page 20

CONTINUED...

assessment. Consent is the first step in not only building rapport with your patient but also creating a safe space for your patient, where they can feel seen, heard, and validated. Consent disrupts the systemic power dynamic that has been created between physicians and patients, where physicians have historically taken authority over patients’ medical decisions. Consent brings the patient-provider relationship back into a more equal relationship.

The workshop continued with a brief presentation on basic information such as basic anatomy, sex vocabulary, and different aspects of gender and sexuality. We looked at anatomical diagrams and the gender unicorn/genderbread person. The most impactful and applicable conversation to my future career came at the end of our presentation. Despite the humorous title of “What’s Up, Doc?,” we had a serious conversation about what is appropriate to be asked about and to discuss with your doctor.

While as physicians we want our patients to provide us with as much information as possible in order to come to a more accurate diagnosis, it is crucial to recognize that our patients might not feel comfortable sharing everything nor are they always looking for a specific diagnosis. Sometimes our patients just need a safe place to talk and escape an unsafe situation for thirty minutes. Additionally, it is also paramount to realize the history of trauma and abuse certain populations, especially BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ individuals, have faced from our healthcare system. This is why the most important thing we can do for our patients is to be as non-judgmental and approachable as we can, leaving space for our patients to be vulnerable but still respecting their privacy and autonomy. Providing trauma-informed, patient-centered care leads to better, long-lasting health outcomes.

 

"If people can see themselves represented in medical situations, they will get more out of a medical encounter."

comprehensively the teens spoke about what consent is. Through the experiences of my first

year of medical school, I have come to learn that consent is more than just something I need to check off from a rubric in order to pass an