“Blame someone else and get on with your life”
Alan Woods

A colleague was miserable at work today. He had all the best intentions and effort to help a particular patient the other day, only to receive a phonecall today from the patients daughter in a very undermining tone, “Im calling you to inform you that my mother had a brain bleed. I hope you’d be able to provide an answer to that. As to how you missed it”. The accusation to me was harsh. This daughter had all the means (financially) for first class medical care. Instead, she made her mother came to our little hospital with no CTB facility and dare point out that it was my colleagues fault. Total.

Well. As doctors.. this is one of the risk or cons of the job. People remember you for your mistakes, not the many other million good things you’ve done for the patient.

The phonecall caused my colleague to be in great distress as he tried to remember WHO the patient was and WHAT the presenting complaint was. Patients are not androids. They dont give straightforward and precise medical history.

Some came with fever and stomache pain, only to be diagnosed as having a heart attack.

Those with poor appetite ended up having a malignancy.

What seemed to be a simple nausea and vomiting episode ended up with one having a bleed in the brain.

On top of having to find the significance in their long winding history, we also have bear and grin the pain of having to face patients who are not bothered at all to remember the medications they eat. Worse still, having about 15 items on the prescription list for a supply of 2 months, only to default their medication. Then, default their followup which is precious time for other patients who would appreciate such appointments.

Irresponsible patients dont get hacked. Ini tidak adil!

Nurse Haleh Adams:

“I’ve been doin’ this job for 17 years, honey. Doctors come and go, but nurses make this place run. We don’t get much credit or pay. We see a lot of misery, a lot of dyin’, but we come back every day. I’ve given up bein’ appreciated, but I sure as hell won’t let any of us be taken for granted”

-ER TV SHOW-

The Emergency Department (ED) here is not as glamorous as what most of us would see in the US TV series, ER. Especially when you’re living in an area where the people just love going to ED for the simplest complaint. Such as a straightforward dry skin or cough and get free medication. At the same time, trying their luck for an MC. Hello.. WHERE IS THE URGENCY IN THIS?? Nama pun unit kecemasan.. nangga muka pun sekda riak cemas.

ARgHHH.. Kepak eh kerja mcm tok ujung minggu. Macam blh expect jak sidak tok dtg ED semata2 mok MC. Pemalas na jak urang Msia tok paduhal when it comes to work. Honestly, why cant they take pride in doing their work [read: menjalankan amanah]. For I remember during my years studying in the UK, the enthusiasm shines through eventhough you’re working as a cashier in Tesco. Or when you’re picking up the trash in the neighbourhood. My goodness. How could the ‘spirit’ not resonate here as well? Is salary a factor? Well… it could be. But really, if you hate your job so much….QUIT.

That was one of the advice I gave to 2 of my patients.

Having to deal with malingering patients is one thing, having to fulfil the ‘order ubat’ from them is another.

Can you give me panadol?

Can you add on some vitamins?

Can you give me ubat batuk, selsema and panadol untuk simpan jadi stok kat rumah?

One other thing that irks me is that some patients come in with all the ‘serious ailments’ from every part of the body. When we suggested tests and possible admissions … they would refuse because they only want the BLOODY MC!! tolonglah.. go to the private clinic.

Rant. Rant. Rant. Ngerepak. ngerepak.ngerepak. At the end of the day, terpaksa juak insaf.

Dr. Luka Kovac:

Our job is to save lives not to judge them.

SIGHHHHHHHHHHH