As a male nurse, many assume that females would automatically want another gender but in reality that has never happened. When a patient is assigned that is who they get.
R/r 911
Disagree here. We do try to accommodate patients, both male and female, especially where there are cultural issues. Oklahoma may only have white, all American English speaking people, since it seems the Native Americans take a very distant back seat there, with just one religion but other parts of the country we have several different nationalities and many different cultures. Thus, we have specialized training classes for health care providers to help recognize, understand or at least respect people for their beliefs.
simpatico
I'd probably prefer my nurse friend or doctor friend, regardless of whether or not they were male or female. So, yeah... I do see that trying to keep same gender is not only unrealistic but probably entirely unnecessary for most people.
It will depend on the nature of the rape as well as the age, gender, culture etc. Some believe it is just a little sex act without the woman's permission and that might be the only type some here have seen. Some may even think of it just as a prom date gone alittle too far. In other places, the assault may be extremely violent to where the man or woman is no longer rational due to the emotional or physical stress. They may see people only as male or female or a uniform which may or may not be a good thing. This is why our PD also dispatches their own from a Victim's Services unit. The person doesn't even have to be sexually assaulted to require special consideration. If your community does not provide some type of service that considers the victims of these crimes then I would say the people are not being appropriately provided for. Some just believe the things worth money or what you can see is of more value than that what isn't which is the emotional.
Again, it depends on the attitude of the healthcare provider. Some do not understand rape and do have their own personal views as to why it occured. If these providers don't see any phyicial injuries, some may have the attitude the woman should just get over it. No harm, no foul. This same attitude was the norm about domestic violence for many years until laws were passed. However, many involved in domestic violence, male or female, still do not get prosecuted nor do the parties involved get help due to the attitudes of their first responders.
Recognizing the needs of your patient should be part of your initial assessment. From there you should adjust your attitude to provide what is needed to get this patient to the hospital safely. Granted, in some areas that do not provide services for victims, the choice of personnel may be limited. One, however, shouldn't do the "tough luck" attitude as that will show in the care you attempt to provide. And, any remarks made to other responders on scene within hearing range of the victim as to saying "tough luck I'm what he/she is getting" should be avoided even though it sounds as if they happen. Also in the case with the OP, I would seriously not want the victim to feel she/he is "inconveniencing" those in EMS by having the misfortune to get raped. No conversation as to "why" someone was called "just" for a rape should be happening at scene...although we know it must in some areas just by the comments in this thread.
There should be other considerations for the patient. In some areas the response will be at least two LEOs who may be male and 8 EMS providers who may also be male. Now imagine a naked woman (or man) lying in a vulnerable position possibly in a public area, depending on the location of the assault, looking at this crowd of uniforms standing over her/him. Some don't think before they rush in and then stand and stare. Sometimes the lead Paramedic, especially if male, allows them to gawk at his patient because privacy is not something that is learned in school since everything is an emergency to where privacy is not an issue to be considered of importance.
