Human rights should apply to everyone, shouldn’t it? But what happens if you get a referral in the hospital as per usual only this time when you walk down the passage in the ward, you see a guard outside the room of the the patient you meant to see. What is the first thought that goes through your mind?
- What did he/she do?
- Why should I treat this person?
- Will this person hurt me?
I had this exact experience during my time at Tygerberg doing my general block. I wanted to know what this patient did. What did he do in order to get shot and be arrested? But I did not ask. I did not ask as I knew that if I had to know the truth and it was bad, I would not want to treat this patient and therefore deny his human right. I knew if I did not want to treat him, I would be going against my own morals to help a human being. Therefore in order for me to do my job and do my job well, I kept the questions to myself. But I kept thinking after my treatment sessions with him (which I did with the door open) if he denied someone else human right. How is that fair?
I think about how people who come from poverty just trying to reach ends meet have struggle with basic health care but someone who is from prison, that committed a crime is allowed access to health care. But again, all human beings have rights, who am I to deny it?
“Caring for patients as individuals also means leaving one’s prejudice at the surgery door. Patients should be provided with the best possible care irrespective of age, sexuality, ethnicity, religious beliefs or politics. This is particularly true of lifestyle issues. Whatever the clinician’s view of smoking, obesity and drug dependency, it is his or her ethical duty to be supportive, not judgmental.” (Hendersen, R. 2015)
Hendersen R. (2015). Medical Ethics. retrieved October 7, 2018 from https://patient.info/doctor/medical-ethics
2 thoughts on “Human Rights (Kelly Smith 3557720)”
Dear Kelly,
Your piece gave a brief explanation of a patient you have seen whilst on clinical practice, as well as some insight to some of the questions you asked yourself during this time. To broaden the discussion you could possibly ask the following questions:
How long did you treat this patient for?
If you didn’t ask your patient how he was shot, what relevant or irrelevant information were you able to obtain from this patient which could possibly help you describe this patients character?
Could you please also honestly let us know how this situation impacted your treatment as a physiotherapist?
It might be beneficial for you to research other physics or health professionals who have worked with people from similar situations.
I know when I have treated patients from similar backgrounds this always helped me. I understand your reluctance to enquire to the patient about how he was injured as you are worried you will be even less inclined to treat the patient. One of my patients at the beginning of the year I was initially reluctant to question also, but as it was required of me for my patient evaluation I was forced to do so. I got to know my patient better and focused on the components of his character which I did not feel opposed to, and slowly with time began to understand the reasons he turned to gangsterism and violence. I focused on the person and not the deeds. I am not blinded to believe that he would return to his previous way of life after treatment but I hoped that I would be able to make sure that any other hobbies or activities of daily living could be achieved.
Tessa
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your writing piece.
I have been following your work, as I am sure you’re well aware of, and what I enjoyed is that this piece was more personal and it carried over in your writing.
My major criticism of your previous pieces was that it was too factual and cold; I do feel this has improved greatly.
I did notice some small errors or places in which I believe my suggestions may aid in the improvement of your piece.
In your first paragraph you wrote ” the room of the the patient you meant to see” I assume you were meant to write – the room of the patient you are meant to see.
In your second paragraph you mentioned “I would not want to treat this patient and therefore deny his human right” – I think it would be beneficial/ interesting to the reader to state which right(s) would be denied in this scenario.
I suggest that you remove any sentences beginning in ‘But’ as ‘but’ is more of a linking term between different sentences/ thoughts (e.g. I wanted to go to a walk but it was raining outside as opposed to But it was raining, so I did not go).
In your first, second and third paragraphs there are sentences which I think restructuring would be beneficial (below is an example of one in your second paragraph):
“But I kept thinking after my treatment sessions with him (which I did with the door open) if he denied someone else human right. How is that fair?”
Suggestion: After my treatment session with him, which I did with the door open, I kept thinking that if he denied someone else their human rights, how is it fair to award him his own.
Additionally you wrote “someone else human right” instead of someone else’s human right – if you use the suggestion above, it would eradicate this error but adaptation and decision is up to you.
I feel that your third paragraph should be re-structured a little as it is a difficult read. I understood what you meant in the paragraph, do not get me wrong, I really enjoyed your piece but it did take a few reads in order to gather everything you were conveying.
A suggestion would be:
I find myself reflecting about the people who are poverty stricken, people who are trying to make ends meet in their best capability, and may find it very difficult to access healthcare services compared to the prisoner who has healthcare services readily available to him/her. It gives the impression that the prisoner’s rights are somehow superior to those of the poverty stricken population, regardless of their wrongdoings.
I relate to your piece as I find that working in a medical field challenges your moral compass, especially when working with convicted felons/ people involved in unlawful behaviour. Some patients can be rather proud of their past socially deemed wrongful doings and it does add a layer of tension into your sessions with these patients. Being fearful of this particular patient is a realistic fear, in my opinion, as people in general are dangerous and in this situation, the patient was confirmed of doing something unlawful/ dangerous. I think it is important to review your rights and how the facility and the government protect healthcare professionals in these scenarios as it may provide closure or a method of dealing with a similar situation.
I would like to know how you handled this situation.
Did you ever find out what happened intentionally or did you stick to your view point, as stated above, and rather stayed ignorant to his past in order to treat him without reservation?
Additionally, did you find it easier treating this patient while being ‘blind’ to his past wrongful doings or did your thoughts hinder your effectiveness with him?
I have often thought how I would respond or act when being faced with having to assess and treat a criminal but I do think that it is important to understand our role in society and the ethical principles. The challenge between being aware of what the person did as opposed to being ignorant is somewhat of a grey area to me. On one side, ignorance can be bliss as being unaware of the person’s wrongdoing may lessen your apprehension toward them. On the opposite spectrum, knowing or being aware of what the person is convicted of may aid you in protecting yourself from a potentially dangerous situation (e.g. if the person is known to be violent, you may be more alert if he/she had to attempt to attack you).
It is definitely something we need to be aware of as healthcare professionals and it is something I will reflect on.
Your writing skills have definitely evolved and I do believe you could be a great writer as you indicated in your previous pieces that you do not make a statement without appropriate research/ confirmation and you are mastering how to make it more personal while maintaining your professionalism – well done!
Thanks for the insight into your experience, good luck to you on your journey as a Physiotherapist and I look forward to future posts as a clinician.