Indexing Title: CLEYSONs Medical Anecdotal Report  [04-2]

MAR Title: Patient  with pleural effusion 2’ to pneumonia

Date of Medical Observation: April 27, 2004

 Narration:

      This is a case of a six months old boy who was diagnosed to have pleural effusion left probably secondary to pneumonia, he was referred to our department for chest tube insertion. As the from duty resident, I was tasked to do the CTT. At the pedia ward, I reviewed the patient’s chart and noted that the mother signed the consent for the procedure.  At the bedside I introduced myself and  informed them that I’ll be the one to insert the chest tube and explained a little about the procedure to be done.  As I was preparing the materials, I heard the lady said “ Di po ba ito lalung makakasama sa anak ko?”  I’m a bit irritated, for I have already explained to her what I’m going to do.  I faced the mother, and the moment I laid my eyes on her, my heart melts for I see a mother in deep agony, scared of what might happen to her little child. I took a deep breath and   I asked myself what if I was in her shoes what would I feel? So I gathered up my thoughts and stated explaining to her the condition of her child, the reason for the CTT,  what would happen if chest tube was not inserted. And I gave her an assurance that I will do my best to perform the procedure properly and as fast as I can. She smiled and put down her child and she let me do the procedure and she said thank you afterwards.

Insights (discovery, stimulus, REINFORCEMENT)

As a physician, dealing everyday with a lot of patients with medical conditions, we sometimes forgot that most of these people are scared of what they have and of what will be done to relieve their complaints. Being a mother of a sick child, I think the agony and fear is twice as that of what you would feel if you are the one with the condition.

 We should always put ourselves in the shoes of our patients and of their relatives for us not  to forget to be compassionate.  And if we are going to do even a simple procedure, we should always try to explain  the pro’s and con’s  of the procedure and give them the impression that you will give the best that you can.