Indexing Title: NALUDINOs Medical Anecdotal Report [06-08]

MAR Title: Trust

Date of Medical Observation: September 2006

Narration:

“You are the main author in this case, take good care of my patient.”, my consultant said to me. I was standing in front of the patient, fully dressed for the operation and feeling proud of myself. I was about to operate on this woman, my consultant’s patient. How lucky am I to be given this opportunity?

I started the operation and was keen to listen to my consultants instructions. The procedure went well. There were no apparent complications.

After an uneventful stay at the recovery room, the patient was then transferred to the ward. This was when the patient’s and my troubles started.

The patient developed complications while at the ward. She developed bouts of fever, nausea and vomiting. Ancillary procedures requested showed that the patient was suffering from urinary tract infection.

Instead of a short post operative stay at the ward she had to remain at the ward until the complications abated.

Insights (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements):

“How come you did not take good care of my patient?” Would you like to hear those words coming from a person you consider as your teacher? Those words were like embers that burn the skin. It takes a lot to of courage to accept a case coming from a consultant. It takes more courage for the consultant to entrust his patient to a resident.

In the field of surgery, how do we learn without guidance? How do we practice technique if nobody will show us the right way? How could the instructor teach you if he doesn’t have trust in you?

I got complacent and let my guard down. Thus, I was not able to give the care that my consultant expected. I let him down.

Trust is such a fragile thing. One mistake could damage it beyond repair. Therefore we must show that we deserve it.

In order to do that, we must exert a hundred percent of our effort in the care of all our patients. Only by showing our mentor that we care, would we be able to show them our appreciation.