'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line' Just pop your trousers on the stool and we'll take a look...
Beyond the Bedpan, along with our “seen it all before” readers, isn’t afraid to talk about embarrassing illnesses. Rashes, itching, discharge. There’s not much that will shock us.
So why are patients still so backwards about coming forwards?
A story in the news this week suggested that up to six million men in Europe look for erectile dysfunction drugs on the internet without first talking to a nurse or doctor. That’s a lot of embarrassed, gruff chaps, embarrassed about their, erm, chaps.
The risks of taking drugs that you’ve picked up off the internet is huge, are people really prepared to take these risks just to avoid what they might see as an awkward conversation?
Where does the answer lie? Should we, as nurses, be making it easier for the patient? Should the government make access to sexual health services easier and spend more money promoting them? Or should men just get over themselves and start talking?
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Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 26-Jul-2010 5:02 pm
Speaking as someone who briefly had a look at this area from a personal point of view (must remember to post as anonymous and not Steve....) yes these things are available over the internet, but have you seen what else can be purchased through the internet or mail order? What about all the "legal" highs - some of which can be brought through Beynond The Bedpan's required reading "Viz" magazine.
Yes it probably is an awkward conversation whether it be with the GP who has known me for forty years since I was a boy, and it most certainly will be awkward to talk to the very presentable yet consumately professional practice nurse.
Should the Government make access easier? Perhaps they should, but right now who is going to be paying? so that's a non-starter.
Should men just get over themselves and start talking? Probably, but who with? Their mates down the pub who won't take the rise (pun intended) out of them at all, or the possibly frustrated partner who thinks they are undesirable now? The answer to that question is of course the ubiquitious counsellor. Of course if you can find one that can see you sometime in the next three months to hand over large sums of cash to then hoorah, but if not, then the relative anonymity of a secure debit card transaction to Doc Holliday's Pink Medicine (or countefeit blue tablet) Company might appear the better option and therefore worth the marginal risk of becoming ill.
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