Patients Questioning Student Competancy Flashcards
Sean is a medical student working on a shift in a busy ward and has been asked to take blood from a patient, Claire, who is in pain and so constitutes her case as being urgent. Claire,however, questions Sean’s competency in completing the procedure.
How appropriate are the following:
(1) I have completed this procedure many times you have nothing to worry about
(2) would you prefer if I found someone else to take your blood
(1) I have completed this procedure many times you have nothing to worry about - this is APPROPRIATE BUT NOT IDEAL as whilst it could be reassuring Claire that Sean is trained and has completed this procedure multiple times it may come across as patronising and dismissive of her concerns
(2) would you prefer if I found someone else to take your blood - THIS IS INAPPROPRIATE BUT NOT AWFUL as finding someone else would take time, that is potentially compromising patient safety in a situation that is deemed urgent
Cillian is a dental student on a dental clinic, shadowing a dentist, Dr Rae, when he asks Cillian to undertake a procedure on a patient, the mother of the patient who is in the room is unsure and questions Cillian’s competency and expertise.
How appropriate is the following:
(1) ask the mother of the patient if there is anything he can do to reassure her
(1) ask the mother of the patient if there is anything he can do to reassure her - THIS IS APPROPRIATE BUT NOT IDEAL as whilst the patients mother should be reassured in this case and any action to reassure her would be positive it is potentially downplaying her concerns and doesn’t address them directly
