At my ED, the techs are often relegated the task of obtaining the GC/chlamydia culture specimens from male patients with appropriate symptoms. Male techs, male patients, no problem.
Recently, I asked one of the more-experienced techs if he had difficulty with the procedure:
"No, I don’t do it".
What?
"I hand the stick to them, and have them do it themselves".
Really?
"I tell them, you stuck it in; you stick it in".
Aah. Interesting.
Great idea!
Research has shown that women are just as good at getting their own vaginal sepcimens for gc/chlamydia, and that these specimens are as good, if not better at detecting infection than cervical specimens obtained by the doctor.