Does my fiancee have to be alone at the medical?

[Matt_Stevens 5]

My fiancee is TERRIFIED of doctors. Especially male doctors. If she has to allow a male doctor to see her naked, then I think she might flat out refuse unless she can have her mother with her.

So now what?

Edited April 6, 2006 by Matt_Stevens

[MrsBruce5 0]

Hi Matt,

Maybe she can request a female doc or a nurse in the room???

I understand her being uncomfortable and such...I am a massage therapist and to be honest, most of the people I see are naked (under a towel or blanket, of course). The bottom line is that after seeing so many people in such a state, every health care provider I know of-whether it be nurse, doc, PA, PT or LMT, is objective and non-judgemental. In a sense, when someone is on my table, all I see is a "form" of a body. After seeing so many people naked, we are desensitized to "naked-ness". We are simply unaffected by it.

I do understand her feelings, however. I work with a male therapist, and he encounters this a lot.

If her mum cannot attend the medical for whatever reason, see if a female doc is available or an attending nurse.

Good Luck !

-Rose

[Matt_Stevens 5]

It's tough because we are talking about a very traditional girl. She has been raised to allow one man, her husband, to see her naked. Add to this the fact that she is frightened of doctors, well, I don't want to put her through something that will clearly be tramutizing to her.

If she can only have a male doctor and he refuses to allow a nurse, she can easily be failed by him if she refuses to go further without a nurse because we are taling about Vietnam, where some doctors will demand a BRIBE to pass you! Yes, it can be bad in Ho Cho Minh City.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Matt_Stevens

[TracyTN 237]

Do you know for sure that there are only male doctors at this place? Maybe she could call in advance and find out, and if there is a female doc, request her specifically?

[Jasman0717 9]

They wouldn't let Claudeth's Mom in when she had her physical at St. Lukes in Manila and she did ask. Hopefully something will work better for your fiancee. Good luck

[STL_HCMC 0]

Matt,

This might be a situation worth emailing the US Consulate in HCMC about. Ask if female exaiminers can be requested.

You could also have your fiancee try contacting the department at Cho Ray Hospital or the International Organization for Migration in HCMC that does the medical. Perhaps they can be more specific about the request.

STL_HCMC

My fiancee is TERRIFIED of doctors. Especially male doctors. If she has to allow a male doctor to see her naked, then I think she might flat out refuse unless she can have her mother with her.

So now what?

[yellow123 0]

Matt,

My fiancee just got her Medical done 2 days ago at Cho Ray hospital. She told me it lasted about 3 hours and it was done by a NURSE. She said it was just a general checkup, nothing too complicated.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Apparently IOM is suffering badly from doctors who ask for bribes and Cho Ray Hospital is the place to go.

[raymaga 25]

My daughter and I both had a doctor and a nurse at the medical exam, but that was in Canada, not Vietnam.

I think the exam might be difficult for your fiance, but I doubt she will get her visa if she doesn't go through with it. She might just have to do the exam, remembering that it is necessary in order for her to come to the U.S. to be with you.

Good luck.

[Mike n Huong 1]

Matt,

This might be a situation worth emailing the US Consulate in HCMC about. Ask if female exaiminers can be requested.

You could also have your fiancee try contacting the department at Cho Ray Hospital or the International Organization for Migration in HCMC that does the medical. Perhaps they can be more specific about the request.

STL_HCMC

My fiancee is TERRIFIED of doctors. Especially male doctors. If she has to allow a male doctor to see her naked, then I think she might flat out refuse unless she can have her mother with her.

So now what?

can my Fiancee get her medical done at the IOM located in Hanoi? That would be so great.

[scy 0]

Apparently IOM is suffering badly from doctors who ask for bribes and Cho Ray Hospital is the place to go.

Where did you hear this?

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Somehwere here (I forget their handle) had to deal with that. They reported it, but that seems to have p!ssed the HCMC people off even more. Their visa was denied and they are just waiting waiting waiting.

[scy 0]

Somehwere here (I forget their handle) had to deal with that. They reported it, but that seems to have p!ssed the HCMC people off even more. Their visa was denied and they are just waiting waiting waiting.

You mean sweetiewynn.

I don't think his visa was denied because he reported some alledged extortion by doctors. My wife had her medical at IOM and nothing was mentioned. They rushed through the process because they were so busy with visa applicants.

sweetiewynn and my report should not be indicators that there are doctors demanding bribes at IOM.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

What kind of "examination" did your wife have to go through? Was there any touching of the privates? My fiancee will never allow that if the doctor is male.

[scy 0]

What kind of "examination" did your wife have to go through? Was there any touching of the privates? My fiancee will never allow that if the doctor is male.

From the FAM.

"9 FAM 40.11 N4.1 Role of Panel Physician

(TL:VISA-189; 04-22-1999)

The panel physician is responsible for the entire examination. The

examination must include:

(1) A medical history;

(2) An immunization history (immigrant visa applicants only);

(3) A physical examination;

(4) A mental examination;

(5) A full-size chest radiograph;

(6) A serologic test for syphilis;

(7) A serologic test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV);

(8) A sputum smear examination;

(9) Administration of immunizations (immigrant visa applicants only);

(10) Report of the results of all required tests and consultations;

(11) Verification that the completed medical report forms are sent

directly to the consular officer; and

(12) Verification that the person appearing for the medical examination

is the person actually applying for the visa.

The panel physician does not have the authority to determine whether an

alien is actually eligible for a visa. Consular officers must make that

determination after reviewing all the records, including the panel physician’s

report. [see also 9 FAM 42.66 Exhibit I.]"

The examination might also include a visual exam of the private area to check for signs for sexually transmitted diseases. I don't think there was any touching involved.