Indexing Title : JAVALEZA`s  Medical Anecdotal Report  ( 05-2)

MAR Title: “Requesting physician, requesting patient”

Date of Medical Observation:   May 2005

NARRATION      

      One busy day at the emergency room (ER), while everybody were preoccupied with  their work, a mother rushed in with her two-year-old daughter in her arms. She stated that her Child fell from a chair hitting her head on the floor. I examined the patient and took a brief history. The child seems perfectly fine, with no signs of external injury.   

Then I explained to the mother the patient’s condition and the need for observation. The mother worriedly asked for an X-ray to be taken. After explaining that an x-ray will not help, the mother insisted of having an x-ray. Seeing her face, as if a normal x-ray reading is the only thing that will ease her worries, I immediately filled out a request and send them to the radiology. Afterward, the x-ray revealed a negative finding. The mother was relieved. They stayed for observation at the ER for several hours. Subsequently, was sent home satisfied.

 INSIGHT   (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical)(Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements)

 In this scenario, I was influenced by the patient to request an x-ray. Mainly to avoid argument and to satisfy the patient’s mother. I had washed out resource just to satisfy the patients concern. I would have been more forceful in explaining the situation. I should not let the patient influence my decision. Even in patients, who are quite persistent. It would have been more wrong to request another procedure and more expensive. Just because the patient won’t listen and getting more irritating. With the current status of our economy, we should be cost-effective in delivering health care.