Doctor Cheered for 'Examining' His Sister and Mom When He Visits

The internet has slammed a woman who found it "strange" that her doctor husband examines his family members when they ask him to do so, and commenters cheered the husband for helping his family out.

In a post shared on Mumsnet last Monday, the woman, who goes by the username Mercury101, said that both she and her husband are doctors, and every time they visit his family, members ask him for health checks.

"Whenever we go and visit his family, if one of them has a cough or cold they ask him to bring his stethoscope and to examine them by listening to their chest," she wrote.

She added, "My family have never asked this of me and I don't think ever would. Even if they did, I think I'd ask them to see their own GP anyway. I find it weird him examining his sister and mother."

The American Medical Association says that physicians generally should not treat themselves or members of their own families. However, it may be acceptable to do so in limited circumstances.

These include, among the most common instances, emergency settings or isolated settings where no other qualified physician is available, in which case physicians should not hesitate to treat themselves or family members until another physician becomes available. Also, short-term, minor problems may be acceptable.

When treating themselves or family members, physicians have a further responsibility to document the treatment or care provided and convey relevant information to the patient's primary care physician.

Most of the 197 users who commented on the thread thought it was quite a common practice. One user, FinneusMum, said: "I don't think it's odd. I know they shouldn't examine their family. But I always find it cold the ones who are so strict with this rule. My best friends DH is a doctor and refuses to even help decide whether their children need to be [taken] into hospital."

MarshaMelrose added: "I don't find it odd. If I had a rash or something I was worried about or something, I'd ask my husband or sister or dad or nephew. If my sister was a doctor, I'd have a weekly session with her! Lol."

Another user, cheveux, said: "BIL is a doctor and he does this, quite normal I think!"

And MolliciousIntent added: "My mum is a GP and she gives me medical advice all the time, she frequently listens to DCs lungs for me (history of respiratory problems). I don't think there's anything weird about it."

ShirleyPhallus wrote: "Listening to their chest = fine. Examining them for thrush = not fine." And WomanStanleyWoman2 said: "If he's got them up in stirrups doing a quick smear while the dinner cooks, then yes, it's weird. If it's just a listen to their chests when they've got a cough, I don't think you need to call Freud in just yet."

Batshittery said: "Bearing in mind that it's near on impossible to get an appointment with a GP, I don't think it's odd at all." And WahWahWahs said: "I don't think this is weird at all! The poor doctors in my family - a few drinks and everyone has a rash/ankle pain/wheeze of interest."

Another user, phishy, pointed out: "It's a bit strange you thinking his examining his own family is strange, tbh. It's like one of the perks of having a doctor [in] the family."

And FawnFrenchieMum said: "I imagine there is a huge difference to them coming into your practice and been offered a prescription to listening to their chest and telling them they need to see a GP or that it sounds fine and it's just a cough?! No different IMO as me telling a family member our loan rates and best accounts the bank has but I wouldn't be allowed to do the actual application."