https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC7Aqc-h9no “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” A famous quote by J.K Rowling in one of her famous books Harry Potter.
What makes a decision right or wrong? Everyone has their opinion and different views on what makes up the correct decision. Is the decision based on your own moral upbringing or your own self beliefs that developed overtime? As health professionals we come across certain decisions that we do not learn from studying, but rather experiences we go through or family upbringing. A choice in a clinical setting has been driven towards using clinical judgement regarding all decisions made in health settings, but is it always the right choice? A clinical judgement model was even developed in 2006 and consisted of four phases in order to make sure that nurses make the right decision (Lasater, 2007).
I had a choice to make at one of my clinical blocks. I was treating a patient with a respiratory condition at the time and his condition was worsening over time. On one of the days I went to go treat the patient and they did not look suitable for treatment. I then approached my clinician who disagreed with me and said I must go treat the patient. We then stood arguing for a couple of minutes regarding my decision. We then went to go see the patient together and after debating my clinician said she will then rather give me another patient. Three days later my patient passed away.
At this point I was questioning myself endlessly. Could it have been because of not having physiotherapy that day that caused the patient’s death? Is it my fault? I could not help feeling guilty. My clinician then explained to me that these situations do happen and should be looked as a learning curve for me. But I then thought why does a patient have to die in order for it to be a learning curve.
I made a choice, but the choice I made will not change the abilities I have as a physiotherapist. The choice I made showed the type of person I am. I put myself in the patient’s shoes and told myself it would not be right to treat this patient. This choice shows who I am.
References
Lasater, K. (2007). Clinical judgment development: using stimulation to create an assessment rubric. Journal of Nursing Education, 496-503.
2 thoughts on “Choices.”
I really like the Harry Potter quote. Linking that to the context of the situation was also very good. Your situation made me think of a personal experience I faced in my clinical practice as well. Your work flows a logical flow and addresses an ethical dilemma. I think it might just need some more referencing to support your position. Other than that, it was good. Well done 🙂
This is such a lovely peace Liam, and it’s an issue which I think still needs to be debated upon because the choices we make are influenced by many things. I don’t know whether the decision you took was right or wrong but I feel like as an individual physiotherapist we should stand up for the decisions they take sometimes as long as you have valid reasons to back up your choice. However how I wish you could have mention some the reasons you decided not to treat the patient and reference with an article that supported your choice. Otherwise great work, your topic, quote and writing link.