I was at university for 5 years and had to undergo a number of compulsory medical examinations. While it was supposed to be a annual health check, there always seemed to appear a reason for additional tests and exams, follow up visits, and so on. I have never been examined as much in my life as during these 5 years at university, and do not think there was much medical justification for all that.
Of course in the old times, there could have been valid reason for university examinations, especially avoiding the spread of contagious diseases, like tuberculosis. But apparently many jurisdictions just pursued compulsory medicals. A recent article i read about that confirmed the lack of health justifications, explained it was a combination of authorities willing to control students and the medical profession always pushing for more exams. This is quite in line with what i had to go through during my student times, with increasing requirements year after year.
The annual examination at university which was presented as a general health check was actually a thorough head to toes examination, where an unknown doctor, usually female, was examining everything, from testing eyes to doing a rectal examination. Much emphasis was put on examining genitals and especially testicles making these annual exams very unpleasant, and possibly painful if the doctor sqeezed testicles hard. Dentist was also part of the compulosry program every year, with some dentists at this time still in favor of removing wisdom teeth irrespective of any issue.
During my 5 years studies, medical tests requirements kept increasing, with additional tests that personal at the examination centre claimed were to be done systematically, such as blood tests, urine or stoll analysis, cardiological and dermatological examination.
Doctors conducting the annual examination would also require further testing on the ground of suspected health issues. I had that in two instances:
1) The doctor built up a big story on the basis that i was overweighted. I am not skinny, but no catastrophy. I got a lecture that overweight could be connected to hormonal issues, heart and kidneys issues, digestive problem and ended up prescribed additional exams with specialists of these areas. Endocrinologist for hormonal issus, she examined me completely and checked my testicles. Cardiologist for heart issues, the easiest of all. I had a kidney echography that showed no issue, but the specialist decided that it was appropriate to conduct a full examination of urinary system: once again, i ended up having testicles checked and an examination of my bladder was conducted: the worst exam i ever had. The gastro enterologist also examined me extensively for digestive issue. After all that, i had to return to the general doctor who prescribed all the exams, she seemed disapointed that no issue was found.
2) In third year, doctor was focussed on tonsils, and questionned why i did not have tonsils removed as a kid. She prescribed a visit to an ears nose throat specialist and a surgeon to decided if i should have them removed. The ease nose throat specialist examined my ears, nose, mouth and throat will all kind of instruments, no undressing but another painful and unpleasant experience. The surgeon reiterated the same exams, concluded that there as no issue with my tonsils, but decided to give me a complete examination, "just in case of other issuses"
I was glad when i finished university and did not have to deal with all this medical examintion non sense anymore.
Has anybody have similar experiences.
gphilg