Exam Info

Should Men Examiners Do EKGs for Women?

At least one of the big 4 companies (maybe more) has a firm rule: male examiners cannot do EKGs for women applicants. How should guys like us handle rules like this when we are independent?

When I was a bit more attached to this big 4 company, the manager and I worked out an informal, don't ask, don't tell kind of arrangement. I basically put my foot down, and nicely told him that if they tried to enforce this, I would take my business elsewhere.

Not because I get some thrill out of doing an EKG for a woman (anyone who does really ought to get help) but because following such a rule needlessly hinders me from doing business.

Now, of course, men (and women) should be sensitive to client concerns. If a woman gives me the slightest indication that she would prefer me not to do an EKG (or any other procedure) I'll make other arrangements for her. Honestly, most women don't care. If an examiner acts in a professional, business-like manner, no one's going to think that he's coming on to her.

(I think I also find it irritating that the rule's not enforced the other way around. Women examiners do EKGs for men, and no one blinks).

How to handle this situation.

First, I am very straight with companies I work for. This is part of the way I do business. If this is troubling to them, there are other fish in the sea.

Secondly, be sensitive to what folks you're examining are saying, and what they're not saying. If someone seems troubled by something, try to read them. This is especially important when there's a cross-cultural situation going on. For example, a few weeks back I had to see a woman who was Hmong. When I got to the house, I reached out to shake her hand, and she seemed puzzled, as she was putting forth both hands, and I realized that while most Americans shake with one, this woman was comfortable clasping both of our hands together. I did, and she was almost instantly more at ease.

Third, when doing any procedure, explain what you are doing. Don't assume that someone understands medical terminology. I am a "registered nurse," not an "RN" (nurses are always surprised to find how many people don't recognize "RN"). I ask people to "fast," or even better, "go without any food or drink, except water," not "You need to be NPO." Same with an EKG. Explain that you'll be doing this test to check how their heart is operating, that you'll be attaching some stickers to their body to get readings for their heart, and that there's no pain, and that they can't be shocked by the machine. (You'd be surprised how many people think that's going to happen). Also, tell them what you're doing when you're counting the rib spaces. They don't know. You do.

Fourth, act disinterested. I don't know any other way to describe this, but act like you're plugging in the Christmas lights. Body language is important here, too. It's easy to get too close to anyone if you're comfortable with them. This can easily be read as "intimate" acting, when all you're trying to do is be friendly. Just keep a distance. Folks appreciate that.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 2:08 PM