When Care Isn’t Careful: Protecting Yourself from Medical Mistreatment

When Care Isn’t Careful: Protecting Yourself from Medical Mistreatment

That viral photo of clinic employees laughing at patients was not just unprofessional. It was a betrayal of trust. They were fired, as they should be. Here is the truth: that behavior does not reflect what real healthcare is meant to be.

Healthcare done right is safe, trauma informed, and rooted in dignity. It is not supposed to feel humiliating or unsafe. If you saw that post and felt a pit in your stomach, you are not alone. Let’s talk about what you deserve, your rights as a patient, and exactly what to do if care ever crosses the line.

Why the Sansum Clinic TikTok Outrage Matters

In Santa Barbara, staff at Sansum Clinic’s Pesetas Urgent Care were terminated after a viral TikTok showed workers posing in exam rooms and mocking stains on exam table paper with captions like “guess the substance.” This was a clear violation of dignity and patient respect. Coverage and statements are here: Santa Barbara Independent and KSBY News.

I have lived the fear this triggers. After emergency spine surgery, a corpectomy, I woke up in the recovery room completely uncovered. The curtains were open. People were walking by. I was freezing and still groggy from anesthesia. I could not advocate for myself. That moment still lives in my body.

This is why the outrage matters. It is not about one video or one clinic. It is about protecting dignity in every room, for every patient, every time.

What Trauma Informed Healthcare Looks Like

• Consent at every step. Nothing happens without your permission.
• Respectful, clear language. No shaming, no belittling.
• Options and choices. You get to decide what works for your body.
• Privacy and confidentiality. Always. No exceptions.
• Safety first. Your dignity and nervous system matter.

This is the baseline. Anything less is misconduct.

Your Patient Rights in Every Exam Room

• Bring a support person.
• Request a chaperone during sensitive exams.
• Say no to students or observers.
• Pause or stop an exam at any time.
• Ask for plain language explanations.
• Refuse or request alternatives.

These are not special asks. These are patient rights.

What To Say If You Are Disrespected

• Speak up if you can. “That comment felt shaming. Please speak respectfully.”
• End it if you need. “I want to stop this exam now.”
• Ask for a manager. Request the charge nurse, supervisor, or patient advocate.
• Write it down. Note what happened, when, and who was involved.

How To Report Medical Misconduct

Reporting does not erase what happened, but it creates accountability. Choose the step you have energy for:

• Clinic or hospital administration. Call the patient relations office.
• State licensing board. File with the appropriate board for the license involved.
• Accrediting bodies. Submit to organizations such as The Joint Commission.
• Insurance grievance. If care was billed, file a grievance with your plan.

Even one report makes a difference.

Finding Safer, Trauma Informed Providers

To find safer care, search for terms like “trauma informed primary care [your city]” or “survivor centered gynecologist.” When calling ahead, ask:

• “Do your clinicians use trauma informed practices?”
• “Can I bring a support person?”
• “Do you provide chaperones for all sensitive exams?”

You deserve healthcare that treats your body as sacred.

Final Word: Do Not Skip The Care You Deserve

The viral video showed what care should never be. Please do not avoid the doctor. Screenings, medications, and urgent care are still vital. You can protect yourself with scripts, boundaries, and support.

Your body is not too much. Your needs are not extra. You deserve healthcare that heals, not harms.

FAQs

What should I do if I feel disrespected by my doctor?
You can pause the exam, ask for a different provider, or request a patient advocate. Document the incident and file a complaint with the clinic or the licensing board.

How can I find a trauma informed provider near me?
Search “trauma informed healthcare [your city]” or “survivor centered clinic.” Ask directly if providers are trained in trauma informed care and whether support people and chaperones are welcomed.