Ethics: WHEN DOCTORS MAKE MISTAKES

In as much as the concept of perfection is required by the principles of this profession, mistakes as a consequence of practice do happen at one point. Atul Gawande describes one scenario in which he is compelled to treat a victim of a car crash because the two senior surgeons were undertaking another operation at the same time. He points outs a number of factors to that could have altered the outcome such as his personal decision not to call any of the senior surgeons’ for assistance when it would have worked, the tracheotomy as well as his failure to incubate the patient.

Atul Gawande uses the chapter, When Doctors Make Mistakes to tell his personal experience. In this chapter he brings to the picture what he perceives as being a personal downfall. He explains how this personal downfall at one point almost led to the death of long suffering patient who was under his medical care. Additionally, Atul Gawande also points out that this profession indeed exhibits a number of mishaps; those that are surgical in nature. These mishaps may revolve within and around; leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body and the abdomen in particular. The mishap may also be biopsying a patient on the wrong side of a body organ. According to him, it is ethical for people to appreciate the natural notion that no human being is perfect thus all doctors do make mistakes. Mistakes therefore are a fundamental part of this profession. He also proceeds to state that good doctoring entails a number of factors such as remaining diligent, paying absolute attention and concentration to details as well as observing the principle of efficiency and effectiveness. He also points out that in this profession; there are Morbidity and Mortality conference, M & M conference meetings which are clandestine in nature. It is in these meetings where the truth is brought to the picture. By truth, the implication is that the good doctors who take responsibility are revealed on one hand. The incompetent doctors, those who neglect the discipline as well as those who have the habit of blaming others for their mistakes are exposed.

A QUEASY FEELING

Atul Gawande discusses the puzzling condition of nausea in the chapter A Queasy Feeling. He points out that while the biological process of vomiting is very clear; associated with pupils dilation, esophagus contraction, increased salivation among other biological processes, Nausea, a precondition for vomiting is a subordinate concept that is rarely discussed in the medical domain. Gawande proceeds to explain that nausea is a classical side effect of pregnancy, motion sickness and side effects of drugs among others.

It therefore follows that, the queasy feeling is a complicated one in the medical profession. In as much as it is common occurring complaint for which the patients do go for consultation in medical centers, the condition is more often than not overlooked. According to him, this condition is related to memory and the biological process of adaptation. He proceeds to illustrate this condition using a typical case of a pregnant woman which highlights that drugs are not the solution to nausea but being at peace with one self is a cure in its and by itself.

EDUCATION OF A KNIFE

In this chapter, Atul Gawande brings to the picture the process in which surgeons learn through hands on experience as well as practice. He uses the first real procedure to illustrate. This entailed putting one central line known as the intravenous line that goes into the key blood vessel of the heart within a patient’s body. In as much as he his supervisor and chief resident perform the operation before, on this day he forgot the three major steps of the preparation and his supervisor had to intervene. Concisely therefore, this is all about the introductory medicine as well as the misconceptions and myths associated with becoming a doctor. In ethical terms, during his first year of study at the medical school he learns the actual education curve. He also learns the various ways in which the associate doctors educate medical students and new residents on the profession. Ethically he also points out that just like in any existing academic and professional discipline; it is indeed practice that makes perfect. He also point out that in as much as medicine as a subject may be deemed infallible, mistakes do crop up while learning.

WHOSE BODY IS IT ANYWAY

In this chapter, the author discusses choices as well as informed decisions. He first highlights the unique case of a patient named Joseph Lazaroff, a patient with an untreatable form of cancer. Despite the warnings from doctors, this particular cancer patient opts to undergo a risky surgery in order to suppress the paralysis. This squarely falls on the patient’s right to choose a care course which Lazaroff had. According to the author, he is of the point of view that Lazaroff made the wrong decision due to the fact that his decision was not in agreement with what the doctors thought would be right. It thus follows that this chapter brings to picture a number of life or death oriented decisions. It also highlights the simple art of being a good doctor or a good patient. He proceeds to state that both parties must choose when to assert or when to submit. He proposes that in as much as patients may choose to or chooses not to undergo a particular medical assistance; they should work in absolute consultation with the doctors. Ethically speaking, doctors should thus be good listeners who should frequently assure their patients that they are in control over vital decisions. It is thus advisable that doctors should advise their patients on what particular choice is good for them at the point of their illness.