Health Care for Escorts

[Doctor]

I’m a doctor at an urban health clinic in a city on the east coast that tries to provide the highest quality health care to escorts and sex workers. I say try because we’re not sure that we’re actually doing what escorts and other sex workers want or need. We not only provide STD and HIV screening and treatment, but we also provide primary care for general health issues. I guess I want to ask the escorts here what they want from their doctors and clinics: what kind of services do you want? What do you look for in a clinic when you look for a doctor? Do you generally have a primary care doc or do you just use testing services? Would you tell your doc that you escort – why or why not? What turns you off about health clinics? What makes a clinic the right place for you? Any good examples of success or failures from your point of view? Thanks! I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas.

[seaboy4hire]

what kind of services do you

>want?

 

STD and regular check ups are always nice and so are vision and dental options. Crack #### can have some bad oral hygiene.

 

What do you look for in a clinic when you look for a

>doctor?

Something that is close by easy to get to and parking would be nice.

 

Do you generally have a primary care doc or do you

>just use testing services?

Got the primary care covered. Just use it for the quick testing services.

 

Would you tell your doc that you

>escort – why or why not?

Nope. None of business. Although he does know I am a sexually active gay.

 

What turns you off about health

>clinics?

Sometimes there can be some very undesirable people. Tip make an appt quick in and out. No fuss no muss.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

 

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com New page for reveiws http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

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CHI

[+ deej]

> What turns you off about health

>>clinics?

>Sometimes there can be some very undesirable people. Tip make

>an appt quick in and out. No fuss no muss.

 

Yeah the comedians always say that hospitals wouldn't be bad places except for all the sick people. ;-)

[Doctor]

Thanks for your comments - these are very helpful. Some of my thoughts in return.

 

>STD and regular check ups are always nice and so are vision

>and dental options. Crack #### can have some bad oral hygiene.

 

Interesting that you've grouped STD testing, oral hygeine and check ups together: sounds like one stop shopping for all basic care and referrals to specialists would be useful.

 

 

>What do you look for in a clinic when you look for a

>>doctor?

>Something that is close by easy to get to and parking would be

>nice.

 

Parking in an east coast city? Gotta be kidding!

 

 

>Do you generally have a primary care doc or do you

>>just use testing services?

>Got the primary care covered. Just use it for the quick

>testing services.

 

Sounds as if you like to separate your escorting life from your "other" life even with your doctor. Why is that important? Have you had experiences with other docs that make you a little wary of how they would treat you? What would it take to reassure you and allow you to fully utilize your medical services?

 

 

>Would you tell your doc that you

>>escort – why or why not?

>Nope. None of business. Although he does know I am a sexually

>active gay.

 

As a doctor I like to know these things because it helps me provide information and guidance about staying well, reducing risk, keeping you healthy. The reasons behind escorting, the ethics of it and all, are certainly none of the doc's business. But a doctor should be a resource you can use for ALL aspects of your life. At least that's the way we see it at our clinic.

 

 

> What turns you off about health

>>clinics?

>Sometimes there can be some very undesirable people. Tip make

>an appt quick in and out. No fuss no muss.

>

 

This would work if you had your own primary care doc, someone you could call up and make an appointment with instead of hanging around during drop in hours for a first come first served sort of situation. Raises the question of health insurance. What do you do for health insurance? What do escorts in general do for health insurance?

[seaboy4hire]

>Thanks for your comments - these are very helpful. Some of

>my thoughts in return.

>

>>STD and regular check ups are always nice and so are vision

>>and dental options. Crack #### can have some bad oral

>hygiene.

>

>Interesting that you've grouped STD testing, oral hygeine and

>check ups together: sounds like one stop shopping for all

>basic care and referrals to specialists would be useful.

 

 

>>What do you look for in a clinic when you look for a

>>>doctor?

>>Something that is close by easy to get to and parking would

>be

>>nice.

>

>Parking in an east coast city? Gotta be kidding!

 

LOL I forgot you had mentioned you were back east. My bad.

>

>>Do you generally have a primary care doc or do you

>>>just use testing services?

>>Got the primary care covered. Just use it for the quick

>>testing services.

>

>Sounds as if you like to separate your escorting life from

>your "other" life even with your doctor. Why is that

>important? Have you had experiences with other docs that make

>you a little wary of how they would treat you? What would it

>take to reassure you and allow you to fully utilize your

>medical services?

 

There are some things in my life that are on a need to know basis and at this point in time I don't feel my Dr. needs to know about the escorting. But like I said he does know that I partake in gay sex and knows I can have multiple partners.

>

>>Would you tell your doc that you

>>>escort – why or why not?

>>Nope. None of business. Although he does know I am a

>sexually

>>active gay.

>

>As a doctor I like to know these things because it helps me

>provide information and guidance about staying well, reducing

>risk, keeping you healthy. The reasons behind escorting, the

>ethics of it and all, are certainly none of the doc's

>business. But a doctor should be a resource you can use for

>ALL aspects of your life. At least that's the way we see it

>at our clinic.

Sounds like you have a good vision for the clinic I just like to keep some things to myself. Unlike some I chose not to air all my dirty laundry for all to see.

>

>> What turns you off about health

>>>clinics?

>>Sometimes there can be some very undesirable people. Tip

>make

>>an appt quick in and out. No fuss no muss.

>>

>

>This would work if you had your own primary care doc, someone

>you could call up and make an appointment with instead of

>hanging around during drop in hours for a first come first

>served sort of situation. Raises the question of health

>insurance. What do you do for health insurance? What do

>escorts in general do for health insurance?

 

At the std clinic here in Seattle one is able to make an appt. So instead of a 4 hour wait (yes I once had to wait that long) one might wait an hour, hour and a half at the most. As for insurance I got that covered through my employer. My insurance is probably better then what most any US company offers so I'm covered in that area.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com New page for reveiws http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3307/dsc05257be3.jpg[/img][/url]

Manners and class are two things money can not buy!

CHI

[Guest larryoz]

>>>>Do you generally have a primary care doc or do you

>>>>just use testing services?

>>>

>>>Got the primary care covered. Just use it for the quick

>>>testing services.

>>

>>Sounds as if you like to separate your escorting life from

>>your "other" life even with your doctor. Why is that

>>important? Have you had experiences with other docs that

>>make you a little wary of how they would treat you?

>>What would it take to reassure you and allow you to fully

>>utilize your medical services?

>

>There are some things in my life that are on a need to know

>basis and at this point in time I don't feel my Dr. needs to

>know about the escorting. But like I said he does know that I

>partake in gay sex and knows I can have multiple partners.

 

Here in Australia sexual health clinics are free "no questions asked"

government services where you do not need to be identified even

by your medicare or healthfund card. That gives many at risk

groups the confidence to take advantage of testing and screening

and to provide full disclosure. The other thing doctors would

want to know about is drug use but again without anonymity many

would not come clean.

 

It is clearly not practical for a private (commercial) practice to

be a charity. But here there is also a practice in the "gay mile"

district that specialises in gay issues and escorts. They have

developed a reputation and so are respected by the community.

[Louis]

Can you provide counselling, or have a physchiatrist available? Escorts are constantly in situations where people are telling them this or that about themselves, and probably need someone to confide in. I also understand that its not uncommon to find escorts who list themselves as bisexual, because they won't or can't admit to being gay, and some escorts with these issues, have committed suicide.

[+ Gar1eth]

Doctors are people too--while it is likely that physicians working in the type of clinic that you describe are ok with gay related issues and escorting--you should not assume that all physicians would be comfortable with knowing that their patient is an escort.

 

I am not saying that it is right--and in a perfect world it wouldn't matter to a physician--but again physicians are human too.

 

Gman

[Doctor]

>There are some things in my life that are on a need to know

>basis and at this point in time I don't feel my Dr. needs to

>know about the escorting. But like I said he does know that I

>partake in gay sex and knows I can have multiple partners.

>>

 

That's what's really important; truly doesn't need to know there's a transaction involved; but can be helpful figuring out ways to limit risk or reduce harm from particular types of sex that increase risk for STDs and HIV (also, for anybody who's ever been diagnosed with genital herpes, it's possible to take daily suppressive acyclovir to reduce the number of outbreaks, the duration of outbreaks, and the risk of transmission).

[Doctor]

>Can you provide counselling, or have a physchiatrist

>available? Escorts are constantly in situations where people

>are telling them this or that about themselves, and probably

>need someone to confide in. I also understand that its not

>uncommon to find escorts who list themselves as bisexual,

>because they won't or can't admit to being gay, and some

>escorts with these issues, have committed suicide.

 

 

I agree. I think that to provide comprehensive and high quality care, the same as should be provided for ANYBODY, then mental health counseling needs to be available - both for talk therapy as well as medication.

 

That also raises the issues surrounding drug use and addiction. Counseling and medication can be very helpful in giving individuals the tools they need to take charge of things, not let things take charge of them (sorry, that's a little corny, but I think that's the way it works for most people).

 

How good have escorts found their access to mental health and addiction therapy? Would it have to be something specifically focused on escorts? Do the standard available programs work for people? Any thoughts on how those things might be better structured to help escorts?

[Rod Hagen]

Doctor, question. I'm going to some thermal hotsprings in a few weeks and I would never be dumb enough to submerge my head, but what are the risks of just being in the water if I shower right away afterward? Hot tub lung? Anything?

 

http://www.RodHagen.com

310.360.9890

Fun, Fit, Friendly Fucker in West Hollywood.

-Rod Hagen

[Steven_Draker]

Check out this link

http://www.q-net.net.au/~legion/Legionnaires_Disease_Spas_Hot_Tubs.htm

 

Steven D.

http://www.hotsexystud.com

[Guest larryoz]

I think that is the pount being made here. In general medical practices do not allow escorts to open up about their lifestyle to their doctor. The question posed is what environment would allow the escort to be open with the doctor about these things that impact on their health.

[Doctor]

>Doctor, question. I'm going to some thermal hotsprings in a

>few weeks and I would never be dumb enough to submerge my

>head, but what are the risks of just being in the water if I

>shower right away afterward? Hot tub lung? Anything?

 

 

Thermal hot springs bubbling out of the ground pose no significant risk for Legionnaires disease or any of the other inflammatory lung diseases that come from hot tubs; nor can they necessarily lead to the dreaded "hot tub itch." The risk for pulmonary infections from hot tubs comes about because the water is recirculated and may frequently be left standing quietly when the tub is not in use - a perfect incubator for Legionella and other weird bacteria; then when the tub is turned on the germs get aerosolized and people inhale them and voila, pneumonia or generalized lung inflammation - "pneumonitis". "Hot tub itch" comes from skin bacteria that get traded around among people sharing a hot tub - generally appears as pimples that can turn into abscesses. Natural thermal hot springs won't be storing other people's germs since the water is continuously recirculated. I wouldn't go in if I had any open cuts or sores, however, just in case.

[Doctor]

Thanks - that was my point, although not made as clearly as you put it. What would a health care provider have to do, how would they have to preesnt themselves, their clinic and their mission, in ways that would make escorts feel appropriately respected and sure that they will get high-quality, non-judgemental health care?

[seaboy4hire]

>Thanks - that was my point, although not made as clearly as

>you put it. What would a health care provider have to do, how

>would they have to preesnt themselves, their clinic and their

>mission, in ways that would make escorts feel appropriately

>respected and sure that they will get high-quality,

>non-judgemental health care?

 

That there is the million dollar question. Although I do not have the answer I wish I did. Maybe there is someone lurking on here that could maybe shed some light on the subject.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com New page for reveiws http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3307/dsc05257be3.jpg[/img][/url]

Manners and class are two things money can not buy!

CHI

[Guest larryoz]

Below is the link to the private clinic here that has that respect.

The website looks like it is under construction but you could always contact them and compare notes.

 

http://www.tspc.com.au/

[BigK]

>What would a health care provider have to do, how

>would they have to preesnt themselves, their clinic and their

>mission, in ways that would make escorts feel appropriately

>respected and sure that they will get high-quality,

>non-judgemental health care?

 

Why not advertise on Rentboy, M4M, or other gay friendly periodicals. They might even provide a free ad as a public service.

[Rod Hagen]

Thank you Doctor Doctor. I really appreciate that.

 

>Thermal hot springs bubbling out of the ground pose no

>significant risk for Legionnaires disease or any of the other

>inflammatory lung diseases that come from hot tubs; nor can

>they necessarily lead to the dreaded "hot tub itch." The risk

 

 

 

http://www.RodHagen.com

310.360.9890

Fun, Fit, Friendly Fucker in West Hollywood.

-Rod Hagen

[christysf]

Here in SF, we've got St. James Infirmary, which is a peer-run health clinic established by dancers, models, escorts, et al.: http://stjamesinfirmary.org/

 

You can download a pdf of the resource manual on the first page, which may be of some help to you.

 

Also, maybe consider writing & introducing youself to the clinical director:

http://stjamesinfirmary.org/Employment.htm

 

With love & cheer,

ChristySF

pawmesf@excite.com

 

http://www.men4rentnow.com/ds/search.asp?cmd=view&id=166417&Login=christysf

 

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

- Philip K. Dick

[Doctor]

Thanks! This is a very helpful connection.

[Lookin]

Doctor, thank you very much for your outreach and educational posts in this message center. Your patients are very lucky to be in your care, and so are we.