What do you think about examination devices?

**FraMauro** · 09-09-2010 01:05 AM

Hi all

Gyn visits are uncomfortable. There probably will never be a way to get around that (short of sedation) but how can it be made better? I'm wondering what you guys think. I'm a student in product design and as a project I'm interested developing a product that makes things more comfortable for the patient rather than just easier for the doctor.

Most obvious example: Speculum. These things are, understandably, terrifying. Thankfully they're not all made of stamped steel anymore, but a scary hinged lever is a scary hinged lever whether it's plastic or otherwise.

Anyway, let it out. Chairs, smocks, stirrups, lights, gloves, air conditioning even. Vent your problem about it!

admins, I'm happy to prove that I'm a student and not some corporate goon, contact me

**Mes T** · 09-09-2010 09:34 AM

How about changing the doctors themselves

I know that's not helpful but... seriously, some OBGYNs could be a little nicer. And smarter.

**ItsASecret** · 09-09-2010 09:38 AM

Lidocaine spray on the vaginal opening would be good. It will not paralyze the cervix or actual vagina so the doc does not have to worry about that but feeling no contraption getting shoved in would be a plus. Aside from that no puppy dogs and sunshine pictures can take a patient away from the fact that they are about to be violated with plastic instruments even if it is for their own good. No duvet cover, no 400 thread count sheets, no soft leather straps to pin you down, no sunglasses to cover the bright surgical lighting, and no lazy boy recliner is going to make you forget that you will be prodded like a test subject. It is like telling someone to look at the kitten picture on the wall while getting blood work, it doesn't work, you are still going to feel the needle put into your vein. lol - too many memories of the techs trying to convince me as a child.

p.s the products you intend to design should be cheap for the medical companies because they are obviously not going to be interested in changing up such a frequent practice with some new gadgets if it costs them more money to revamp it. Bring it up with your engineering prof (I am assuming that is what field you are in) maybe they would have an idea of how to bring the idea forward once you get something on paper to work with.

**Jayla2251** · 09-10-2010 02:45 PM

HAHAHA. Yes the cute pictures on the ceiling, do not help at all.

The noise's that some of those speculums make. Feeling it click as the open 'er up, also weird. Having to sit so close to the edge I feel like I'm gonna fall off. The freezing gel they use.

I also think it's funny that I'm the only one in the office who doesnt get a front row view. They take the time to give me a huge sheet to cover it up, but then turn around and pop the legs up and hold the sheet to my knee's as the dr sits there, with the nurse right by him/her. I'm not scared of it, no white sheet of seperation needed lol.

**FraMauro** · 09-15-2010 02:46 AM

Thanks for the responses! Your thoughts and feelings are much appreciated

Originally Posted by Mes_T

How about changing the doctors themselves I know that's not helpful but... seriously, some OBGYNs could be a little nicer. And smarter.

No, it is in fact very helpful! Your comment stirs a thought in me about empathy: It's not easy to make the doc smarter, but if you make the his/her life more pleasant, a word not to be confused with easier (see BlackBerrry phone), it might result into a very real benefit to the patient.

Originally Posted by ItsASecret

no puppy dogs and sunshine pictures can take a patient away from the fact that they are about to be violated with plastic instruments even if it is for their own good. No duvet cover, no 400 thread count sheets, no soft leather straps to pin you down, no sunglasses to cover the bright surgical lighting, and no lazy boy recliner is going to make you forget that you will be prodded like a test subject.

I very much agree, and to use a cliché it's putting a band aid on a gaping wound. A metal speculum is to a plastic speculum as an exam chair is to a recliner. I'm not interested in designing something like that. What I am hoping is that by asking for thoughts on individual examination components I can find better solutions for the problem of discomfort during examinations

**FraMauro** · 09-15-2010 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jayla2251

I also think it's funny that I'm the only one in the office who doesnt get a front row view. They take the time to give me a huge sheet to cover it up, but then turn around and pop the legs up and hold the sheet to my knee's as the dr sits there, with the nurse right by him/her. I'm not scared of it, no white sheet of seperation needed lol.

It does seem like a somewhat insincere form of privacy, doesn't it?