English speaking Gynaecologist

[Evo]

I need to see a gynaecologist and am having difficulty finding one who is English-speaking. 

I live near Argentan in the Orne Department and have today returned very frustrated and upset from an appointment made for me with a gynaecologist in Argentan who I was told was English speaking only to find that the doctor spoke no English at all.  It was a complete and utter waste of my time and hers.  This appointment was made 3 weeks ago.

I have now had another appointment made for me with a doctor in Flers who I am assured speaks English, but have to wait until the middle of March for the appointment.  I don't particularly want to wait another 2 months before I see a doctor.

Can anybody put me in touch with an English speaking gynaecologist in Northern France please?  Also I understand, but do not have all the facts, that the French health system runs a mobile 'Well Woman programme' similar to that in GB, I believe the unit visits Vimoutiers occasionally.  Does anybody have any information please?

Please don't tell me to learn French - as the gynaecologist I saw today told me.  I am learning French and do try to speak French in day to day matters, but in an area as specialist as gynaecology I really do need to be able to explain myself properly and be able to understand completely what I'm being told.

Any help welcome

Evo

 

 

[Alexis]

Why should anyone living and working in France - a French person infact, HAVE to speak English?

How many of the medical staff in the UK speak French for the occasional French patient?

It is no good moaning, you are in a foreign country and you knew this when you moved.

[Russethouse]

Two suggestions - firstly might it be possibly to locate an English speaking nurse (perhaps ex pat) who could come with you - (after all there is usually a curtain, the translator could be the other side of it, nurses are rarely embarrassed)

Secondly there are French / English medical dictionaries available ( I have seen them mentioned here) and most doctors are quite good at sketches to illustrate the problem, however would you understand the diagnosis ?

I do hope you get a more satisfactory answer

[Lesbatees]

Firstly, I do understand how you feel. I am currently undergoing treatment for both breast cancer and fibroids. Of all the things that have happened to me in the last few months, nerving myself to go to that first appointment with a gynaecologist was the most frightening.

But – and it is a big but – although I feel the tone of Alexis’ post was rather harsh, it is essentially correct. Even if you do find a gynaecologist who is also a fluent English speaker, you will inevitably find yourself dealing with nurses and other hospital staff who speak only French once your diagnosis is made and you begin treatment. You cannot hide forever – you do not say what is wrong with you, but if you suspect it might be serious delay could be life-threatening. Is you pride really worth that?

My own experience has been that a lot can be overcome with good will on both sides. French health professionals, like English ones, actually do want to help you, and most will be patient with halting French, provided you do your best to prepare questions in advance. Treat it as part of your learning.

It might also help if, as Russethouse suggests, you can find someone more fluent who would accompany you to the initial consultation. I was very lucky that a female French friend who is also a fluent English speaker agreed to come with me to my first appointment. My gynaecologist was quite happy with this arrangement, as it made things far easier for him.

Oh, and the upside is that all my neighbours, the nurses at the hospital, and my oncologist reckon my French has improved a lot over the last couple of months!

I hope things work out for you.

Val

[savanatbunnie]

[quote]Why should anyone living and working in France - a French person infact, HAVE to speak English? How many of the medical staff in the UK speak French for the occasional French patient? It is no good ...[/quote]

THIS is why I havnt posted on here before.  Is there any need to be so pissy to someone who obviously is worried about a health problem, and needs some help.

It's a pity you dont live near Perigueux, Evo, because I have an excellent lady, who with her limited English, and my limited French, we get on very well.  I have been to her for two smear tests now, and think she is great.

[Russethouse]

In the long term I think Alexis is right, its wrong to *expect* that doctors, dentists etc will speak English, but sadly ailments don't arrive to any timetable, only becoming a worry when we have gathered enough language. ( In any case I don't really think Evo expects them to either)

No doubt 'Later's' post earlier this week is fresh in the minds of many, I think the main thing is to find a way to get either some help with the language for the appointment or a friendly gynaecologist who will 'hack through it' (the language !)in a good hearted manner, maybe with the medical dictionary in hand.

Lets hope someone either volunteers to accompany you or recommends an at least friendly gynae soon.

[Teamedup]

 I had a difficult pregnancy just after I got here and I did have an english speaking gyn/ob. That was only part of it, the lab tests, scans, nurses, hospital visits were always strictly in french. I had moved here and had to adjust and accept that some things would not be easy.

Is it being pissy when someone says that we shouldn't expect english speakers. I don't think so.

[savanatbunnie]

"Is it being pissy when someone says that we shouldn't expect english speakers. I don't think so. "

I just thought it was unnecessarily hard and not at all welcoming to a newbie.  I dont think  Evo was expecting an English speaker, rather hoping for one. It must have been very frustrating to have made a journey to see a doctor, having been told he spoke English, only to find that he didnt.

Just as luck has it, my GP speaks English to me, and I speak French to him, and we correct each other.  He says he likes English patients so he can practice the language. 

 

[Teejay]

[quote]I need to see a gynaecologist and am having difficulty finding one who is English-speaking. I live near Argentan in the Orne Department and have today returned very frustrated and upset from an app...[/quote]

It is extremely difficult being examined by a doctor when you cannot speak each others language but not impossible.

To take someone with you who can speak French seems the most positive suggestion.

However it would help to go over some questions you might be asked before going for your appointment and learning what your response should be in French. Also although a doctor/specialist might not speak English a lot of medical terms are universally understood. Most are latin/greek based so should present no problem.

The minimum of French is at least a start and you can always ask them to speak slowly. I sympathize, but for all of us without fluency this will remain a grey area until the ability to understand kicks in.

[Evo]

Thank you for your comments.

I did, in fact, arrange another appointment for next Monday with the same gynaecologist and we agreed that I would try, as many of you suggested, bringing a French-speaking friend with me along with a translated report I am preparing.

I didn’t include this information in my original posting as that posting was intended to check, before I went any further, whether anyone knew of an English-speaking gynaecologist (though I didn’t really expect to find one). I thought it important, that on this occasion, I am able to speak confidently and confidentially on a one-to-one basis rather than struggle through using my French or through an interpreter.

I do fully appreciate I cannot, and do not, expect French people to speak English at the drop of a hat, why on earth should they? That is the last thing I want as I do wish to improve my French, but as I have outlined above, because of the personal nature I thought it was worth checking just in case.

I was not moaning. I was upset when I wrote the original posting, if it portrays me as being unreasonable and as a moaning naïve twit then maybe I was wrong to write it whilst I was still upset but, hey, there you go, nobody’s perfect and sometimes I’m almost brilliant!

Once again, thank you for your helpful comments and suggestions.

Evo

[0BRIAN WOODHEADI,m here in franceddMMyyyy0Falseen-USI,m here in franceTrue]

Savannabunnie I remember you posting on another forum to a forum "newbie" something along the line of go away you are not wanted here on our forum,and now you post on this forum that someone was not nice to a "newbie",and still you post in infantile colours and I also remember reading that you complained to the other forum admin that someone had the nerve to comment on your writing in green.if you are not one and the same sav...I will apolgise on this forum,but I think you are one and the same.

[Russethouse]

Outcast - I am sure Bunz is quite unaware of the associations surrounding green ink

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-gre5.htm

[Lesbatees]

[quote]Thank you for your comments. I did, in fact, arrange another appointment for next Monday with the same gynaecologist and we agreed that I would try, as many of you suggested, bringing a French-speaki...[/quote]

Evo,

That seems a positive solution to me. Hope everything goes OK, and will be thinking of you.

Best wishes,

Val

[savanatbunnie]

[quote]Savannabunnie I remember you posting on another forum to a forum "newbie" something along the line of go away you are not wanted here on our forum,and now you post on this forum that someone was not n...[/quote]

Thank you Gay, I was unaware of the significant of posting in green.  Also that it was 'infantile' to post in colours, why I ask myself is there a choice of colours at all?  I am a Leo, love bright colours, and find plain black boring.

To Outcast - I am flattered that you remember my posting from another Forum.

 

 

[Evo]

I think I've missed the boat on this one, what is the significance of green ink?

[savanatbunnie]

[quote]I think I've missed the boat on this one, what is the significance of green ink?[/quote]

Evo,

Click on Gay's link.   My education must be sadly lacking, because I had no idea that was the significance.  I have also posted in orange, blue, even red until someone advised me that red means you are shouting.  I haven't got an "A" level in Forum Postings I'm afraid.

[Russethouse]

I'm afraid you will have to cut & paste as I can't do links (software problem)

I didn't know red was shouting, I thought that was upper case (caps) When I can I use red for key or important points.

[Teamedup]

I wouldn't use red ink to write anything. It doesn't look nice and isn't that clear when one is writing a lot either.

I have a fountain pen I am vey fond of and often buy different coloured inks for it. I have written in green, but wasn't that keen. My favourites ended up being turquoise and purple and in nice hand written script both look rather fetching.

I hadn't  known about the green thing either, but apart from trying it once, wouldn't have used it anyway.

[Will]

I've edited Gay's post to make the link clickable, as I'm sure some people will want to follow it. It's a good summary anyway. I've known plenty of the 'green ink' brigade, having edited newsletters for some rather off-the-wall organisations. One sticks in my mind, who really did use green ink - last heard of accused of criminal damage, after trying to smash up a weir on the River Wandle in south London, claiming it infringed a right of navigation (those who know the river between Carshalton and Wandsworth will be rather amazed about how and why it could ever be regarded as navigable). The same person wrote a (serious) pamphlet entitled 'to Penge by Boat'. His name was an anagram of 'A Mad Loony' - says it all.

What a long way we've come from English-speaking gynaecologists. In answer to the original question, maybe your GP knows, or can find somebody? Ours decided to give me the name of a specialist who spoke English - trouble was, although French, he spoke English with a strong German accent, and had the dryest sense of humour I've ever encountered in a Frenchman. He had a lot of English patients, and I think most just didn't know what to make of him.

[Russethouse]

Thanks Will.

PS all please imagine my posts in blue 'Comic Sans serif' in future, which would be my choice if I had the option

PPS. The very best of luck Evo, do let us know if this solution works.

[Evo]

Have just read the link about green ink - it explains everything!

[letrangere]

Evo and everyone else, an essential book for the shelf, you can even carry it in your handbag:-

Glossary of Medical, Health & Pharmacy Terms

French/English; English/French

Compiled by: A.S. Lindsey

Publisher:  Hadley Pager Info

Price:  UKL 12.50

ISBN:   1-872739-12-1

If Amazon don't have it, the Living France magazine bookshop is bound to.  Details on the website.

M

[epinay]

Eve, I just want to say good luck and I really hope you find the support and medical help you need.   Your post really struck a chord and I will tell a shortened version of my mother's story for all those who were unsympathetic to your plight.  Things are not always as clear cut about language as they seem to imply.

My mother retired to France on her own in the mid eighties and quickly became fluent.  She renovated a huge farmhouse long before these forums or other support existed,and ran a successful gite for many years singlehandedly.

Things change.  Old age came, along with Alzheimers and breast cancer.  One of the strange things about dementia is that you lose the ability to speak anything other than your mother tongue.  So the only time my once fluent, brave pioneering mother needed any medical attention in her whole time in France, she had lost the ability to speak french.  My holiday french was severely challenged and I stumbled about trying to learn medical terminology and tried so hard to communicate with the doctors and nurses who were caring for her.  It was a nightmare.  My UK GP who is fluent in french actually rang and spoke to my mum's doctor to get a clearer picture for me - I didn't expect that, but it is a helping profession and I was very grateful.  This UK GP will also converse in french with patients of his whose first language is french - and this is not that unusual these days - we do live in a multi cultural society.

Nobody expects french people to speak English, but there are times, when, if they can, it is a welcome aid to communication and provides a supportive environment at a difficult time. 

Epinay

 

 

 

[Teamedup]

And that is exactly why I am returning to the UK. I had heard that before and  one never knows  what the future will hold. Also, I simply do not fancy juggling with a foreign language in my daily life in my dotage.

[0BRIAN WOODHEADI,m here in franceddMMyyyy0Falseen-USI,m here in franceTrue]

Stradling both worlds then TU are we,one may pay for treatment here in france but I can tell you first hand that the french have got it right,even if one has to pay,how long have you got I could go on for ever about the french system being better than the UK system,and I take in to account SB,s treatment.