It has been difficult for me to accept that 'right' and 'wrong' actions are often not well defined, and that the best we can hope for is just to do our best.
I recently had to visit a patient with a chronic illness as part of my GP placement, which allows us to learn what it is like to be a patient and also examine the doctor-patient relationship, rather than teaching us anything specifically medical at this early juncture in the course. The lady in question had a form of arthritis, for which she had had ineffective surgery. Our role was to ask questions about how it felt to be in her position, her experience of the health service etc. At one point, I askedher if she felt angry because of her illness, or whether she had an acceptance of it. She began to become tearful, which continued into the interview.
I felt awful, and felt that her tearfulness had been as a result of some insensitivity on my part. However, it transpired that she had recently discontinued antidepressants due to their sedative action, and that her unhappiness was probably largely related to this. When the GP asked how she was, and I told her that she had been tearful and rather blue, she asked me if I thought she had been simply having a bad day, to which I relplied: 'No - I believe that she is still depressed.' The doctor believed me and said she would see to the patient as quicly as she could. Although I was concerned that I may have caused the patient some sadness, I know that some good has come of it. I hope I don't have to make all my patients cry, though...
I recently had to visit a patient with a chronic illness as part of my GP placement, which allows us to learn what it is like to be a patient and also examine the doctor-patient relationship, rather than teaching us anything specifically medical at this early juncture in the course. The lady in question had a form of arthritis, for which she had had ineffective surgery. Our role was to ask questions about how it felt to be in her position, her experience of the health service etc. At one point, I askedher if she felt angry because of her illness, or whether she had an acceptance of it. She began to become tearful, which continued into the interview.
I felt awful, and felt that her tearfulness had been as a result of some insensitivity on my part. However, it transpired that she had recently discontinued antidepressants due to their sedative action, and that her unhappiness was probably largely related to this. When the GP asked how she was, and I told her that she had been tearful and rather blue, she asked me if I thought she had been simply having a bad day, to which I relplied: 'No - I believe that she is still depressed.' The doctor believed me and said she would see to the patient as quicly as she could. Although I was concerned that I may have caused the patient some sadness, I know that some good has come of it. I hope I don't have to make all my patients cry, though...
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