A day at work (22)
Tuesday 05 February 2008 at 7:14 pm. Do I need to feel guilty... when I decide not to change the medication the cardiologist prescribed to a man with a serious hypertension with a blood pressure of 220/100 mmHg (because he feels completely fine and knowing this man will visit the cardiologist tomorrow) and he suffers a major stroke in the night?Do I need to feel guilty... when I can’t instantly solve the unknown cause of a man who attacked his roommate and a nurse (but I do write a crisis protocol and start all things necessary to come to a long term solution in 24 hours) and he seriously injures a nurse again the following evening?
Do I need to feel guilty... when I decide not to treat a woman (because she asked me not to do so) and she dies just before one of her sons can say goodbye?
No. I don’t need to feel guilty. In med school, I’ve learned how to diagnose diseases and how to treat them, but I have not received a magic wand with my graduation. Some things can’t be done by doctors. Why don’t you guys realize this? Why don't I realize this?
Ps. none of the things above happened as described, but they can (and probably will) someday.
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