Patients: values and narratives Flashcards
What is sympathy?
the quality or state of being affected by the condition of another with a feeling similar or corresponding to that of the other
What is emotional empathy?
power of projecting ones personality into and so fully comprehending the object of contemplation
What sort of empathy should doctors try to give?
the ability to understand and appreciate another persons feelings, experience
Why is the practice of empathy dangerous?
a doctor who responds to a patients distress with “i understand how you feel” is likely to be both resented by the patient and self deceiving
Name the 4 key attributes of care which must be maintained.
- must act in accordance with relevant legislation
- must not treat patients unfairly
- must not deny patients access to appropriate services or care
- must not cause patients distress
Why is the patients narrative so important in the doctor patient relationship?
- getting to know the patient requires understanding their story
- if the narrative is not fully heard then the possibility for diagnostic or therapeutic errors increases
- empathetic opportunities are missed
- patients may not feel understood or cared for
Can doctors conscientiously object to a procedure? Under what circumstances if yes?
- doctors can opt out of providing a particular procedure because of their beliefs and values
- cant be a direct or indirect discrimination or harassment against individuals or certain groups
What are the limits to the conscientious objection of Doctors as outlined by the GMC?
- Doctors cannot refuse to treat a particular patient or certain group of patients because of his or her beliefs or views about them
- you must not refuse to treat the health consequences of lifestyle choices to which you object
In what 3 areas do the BMA support conscientious objection?
- abortion
- fertility treatment
- withdrawal of life sustaining treatment
Which of the areas in which the BMA support conscientious objection are legally protected?
- abortion by the 1967 abortion act
- fertility treatment by the Human fertilisation and embryology act of 1990
Why do medical students have different guidelines to doctors on conscientious objection?
- medical students have the right to conscientiously object to some treatment options
- must meet GMCs outcomes for graduates
- medical students are not expected to make decisions about treatment options
What are 4 reasons why certain clinicians believe conscientious objection should not be allowed in medicine?
- inefficiency and inequity
- inconsistency
- commitments of a doctor
- discrimination
What are the key points from the Eweida case?
- Exposed catholic cross but asked to conceal it. Male sihks were allowed to expose turbans and bracelet on arm
- chaplin asked to keep jewellery to a minimum not at all to wear cross necklace
- had human rights been abused?
- Eweida yes because she was treated differently from others expressing their faith
- chaplin no because primary reason was health and safety
What are the key points of the Janaway case?
- cant conscientiously object to treatment which is necessary to save life or prevent grave permanent physical or mental injury of the pregnant woman
- janaway a devout roman catholic and a secretary and refused to type abortion referral letters and she was dismissed
- challenged as unlawful because she was entitled to conscientiously object
- She lost. Declared she was not asked to take part in anything which involved her formally in the process of abortion
- health care professional cannot withdraw from any contact of abortion advice
