Being an emergency physician really takes gut to be one. Several doctors including me are facing an allegation of patient mismanagement at this moment, it started with poor communication between a colleague of mine and a patient’s family. They nearly had argument in ED, and later I took over the case as the shift changed. I didn’t have any quarrel with any members of family but patient made a worse turn in outcome, he suddenly had right side weakness and it became apparent that this patient had stroke. I don’t believe I have done anything wrong or did not do things that could have changed patient’s progression. Legally and morally I stand firmly on the ground as I have done the best for this patient. It just that this incident strikes me deeply in my heart. What I have done to deserve this? Nowadays, I have to say that not a lots, but increasingly the patients and their family take our work for granted if you treat them and make them well, because that’s doctors’ job. When things are not going the way the family plan, or the patient’s condition became worse, doctors are to be blamed for or be responsible. I am not sure if this has to do with our culture, I have seen so many times in my own department in Taipei, but I don’t recall similar issues when I was training in the states. This is really a big stress for being an ED physician here, most local patients came to ED expecting a “quick fix” of their problem as oppose to going to a regular clinic/medical office for a complete evaluation and treatment. And the nature of acute state of the illness, family and the patients want “rapid” change in a better way in ED. They think you are neither incompetent nor not caring enough to their lovely one when patient is not feeling better. It is all doctors’ faults.
What do I do when someone saying that to me? What do I do? What have I done to deserve this? I am a doctor, I am not God. I can do my best to help every single patient, but I can’t make everyone lived happily and healthy.
星期四, 10月 14, 2004
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