medical students learn to practice medicine by this method but you should always have the right to refuse to participate. if your doctor does not honor your request not to have an audience then you should strongly speak up. many women do not want students listening or participating in their examinations especially the more intimate ones. speak up. write a letter to the doctor and wait for a response. if no response change to a different clinician who will respect your wishes.
is it normal that my dr. doesn't ask for my permission regarding student shadowers? this has happened twice now. this is a primary care dr. but she also does my annual pap smear. the first time she even let the student sit with her and watch without saying anything to me. this time she asked if the student could watch and i said no but the student still stayed in the room the entire time. is this against my right to privacy? i was very uncomfortable throughout the whole exam and i also heard her discussing my personal health history in with the student before they even came in the room.