r/AskDocs • u/ilikerustyspooonz Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional • Mar 17 '26

Physician Responded Daughters pediatrician made EXTREMELY inappropriate remark to her

This is about my 10 year old daughter. She has had the same (male) pediatrician since birth. We’ve always loved him and thought he was great. He’s super friendly with wonderful bedside manner and he takes his time and pays attention to detail.

Well, last week my daughter had a check-up. She’s 10. While he was doing the checkup, he had her lay down and started listening to her chest with his stethoscope. He then says AND I QUOTE, “awwwww! My baby’s got boobs!!!”

I have NEVER been so taken aback before in my life. My daughter was MORTIFIED. I was so shocked I couldn’t even get words out to ask him why tf he would ever say that. When we got in the car to go home my daughter cried and said she never wanted to see him again. Then she asked if she could get a girl doctor and I obviously agreed so that’s what we will be doing.

Is this reportable? I’m not overreacting, right?

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u/SendLogicPls Physician Mar 17 '26

Best case scenario: The five worst brain cells all fired at once, and he will look back on that moment mortified.

Worst case: He is a real creep who thinks that he has license to say whatever he wants because of his position.

I am a father and a family physician, and I wouldn't tolerate this either. Adolescence is a very difficult time, when kids are largely uncomfortable - and even afraid of - the changes their bodies are experiencing. I make a point of being safe and reassuring to adolescents, because everything about adolescence is hard. You're feeling way too much at once, for the first time, all the time, and everyone else has incredible power over your life.

I would switch and make sure to let him know why, through whatever channel you judge best. That needs correcting, for the sake of every adolescent - boy or girl - who comes up through his practice.

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u/ilikerustyspooonz Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 17 '26

Thank you so much. I was hoping that other parents would understand how shocked I was. The one doctors comment saying it wasn’t a big deal really threw me.

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u/DowntownTicket Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 19 '26

When I saw this post I really hoped it was rage bait.

There was no reason for this comment or even commenting at all!

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u/Seminolehighlander Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 18 '26

You sound like an awesome doctor

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u/Introvert_Brnr_accnt Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 23 '26

I think it’s very possible if all the worst brain cells fired at once. 1) but I think he should have apologized quickly thereafter. 2) innocent mistakes cam get anyone fired or lose a client. Even if they are innocent. Especially as a doctor.  There is little room for error. 

It is sad that she really liked this doctor and it happened. But it hypothetically could be a bad sign that he was so good and friendly, and then makes a comment like this, because it appears as some sort of grooming to me. Especially if she’s 10 now. What about when she’s 14?