Indexing Title: Rqdeleon MAR [06-03]  

MAR Title: Buti na lang Doc!
Date of Medical Observation: March 2006 

Narration: 

            Ever since we started this Medical Anecdotal Report, it’s very seldom that I hear sharing of experience that touches the negative side of being a doctor. Most of the time, we share experiences on how our patients praised and commended us. On how well we did in treating them. 

            But let me share to you an experience, on the other side of the being good, the bad side of life of being a doctor. 

            We we’re manning the emergency room that day when a patient came in with a chief complaint of swelling of the left foot. The patient noted the swelling of the said foot when he accidentally stepped on a nail causing a punctured wound. Patient didn’t seek medical consult hoping that the wound will result by itself. But unfortunately the wound started to swell causing severe pain. He also noted purulent materials coming out of the said punctured point. 

            An incision and drainage was done at the ER. The patient tolerated the procedure. While my junior resident was dressing the wound I heard him said “Buti na lang doc kayo ang gumawa sa akin, kasi yung isang doctor eh masyadong masakit gumawa!” 

            Apparently this patient was once a patient of mine and unfortunately the initial reason for consult that time was of the same nature. And I did an incision and drainage to him also. From the way his comment was delivered, I assumed that he was not satisfied with my management then!

INSIGHTS: (Physical, psycho-social, ethical)(Discovery,  stimulus, Reinforcement)                       

            It’s very rare that we doctors get a dissatisfying comment from our patients, these maybe due to the fact that they might have consulted other doctors. And how do we deal with this kind of comment. 

            Honestly, I was disappointed when I heard that comment. But how can I improve if I don’t analyze the situation. How can I become a better doctor if I don’t address the present scenario with level headedness?  

            Looking back at it, I might not have given the patient adequate anesthetics or maybe I haven’t built a rapport with that patient, a good relationship that might have given the patient enough confidence in me.  

            A bad comment doesn’t make us a bad doctor, its how we react on that comment that will determine if we’re good or bad. It’s how we handle this comment that will spell out our difference from the rest. If turn the table around and look at it in a more prospective view, we definitely can learn more, we can improve more and we can be a better person.