Quote:
Originally Posted by ngdawg
Perhaps, but I took the time to read about the author. By finding out about who writes what, you can be in a better position to make a decision about what to read and research. It's no different with finding a practitioner who can fill your needs. Research and trying to find out as much as you can allows you to make an informed decision regarding which direction to go.By researching the author, I am in a position to accept or reject what she writes. If all you have as your information is one book written by one layperson, your information is sorely limited. And when your information is limited, your choices suffer.
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ngdawg,
Certainly you are free to accept or reject what literature you deem worth your valuable time, but I think you still make a hasty, biased judgement.
Kapsalis' book has 28 pages-worth of footnotes and bibliography; in other words, the information she cites come from (for example):
The American Journal of Medicine, The First Pelvic Examination by Julius Buchwald, M.D.,
Evolution of the Gynecologic Teaching Associate. by Robert M. Kretzchmar, M.D.. But if they are not credible sources in describing the evolution and practices of gynecology, then give examples of what you personally find to be credible. I'd be very curious to know.
Whether or not Kapsalis has a medical degree or not is irrelevant to the reason I mentioned her book. I brought up her name to make the point that she is one of many women who recognize the deficiency that still exists in traditional gynecological exams. Yes, it has evolved since the Victorian Era of vibrators, but it still demands improvement. In fact, putting the book aside, there are webpages, blogs, and message boards full of women's gyno horror stories describing how they were mistreated or humiliated physically and emotionally, some never to return to any gynecologist, ever.
This was my whole point in bringing up the Public Privates title: while gynecology has evolved, it hasn't evolved everywhere, and the women are paying a very high price as a result.
A woman can research all she wants to find a doctor, but there is only so much that can assure her of a humane, dignified experience until she actually experiences it in the moment. There are no guarantees, especially in emergency situations where she doesn't have a choice.