31 Bad trait persists

The Ant: It is said that, once upon a time, the ants were tillers of the soil who raised crops. But they were a discontented lot, always envying the yield in the neighbours' farms. They stole the produce from other farms whenever they got a chance. Jupiter got soangry at their greed, avarice and covetousness that he turned them into ants. Though they became tiny ants, their behaviour remains same to this day. They continue to steal food from others and store them for their own use.

Dr X was a compulsive skirt-chaser since his student days. Women health professionals and nursing staff kept a safe distance from him. Then he was found unnecessarily disrobing female patients who were under his care and intensely examining them for unduly long periods. He was shifted to the children's ward. There he got into the habit of personally supervising breast feeding of infants by young mothers. Soon some young women complained about his frequent attempts to handle their breasts.

He was then shifted to a geriatric ward where only elderly men were admitted. Things seemed quiet for some time. Then he cast his eyes on the young and attractive women who visited their relatives admitted in the ward. Once, a ward nurse spotted him with a young female visitor in the treatment room. He was apparently trying to examine her, against her will, to look for any evidence of the 'chest condition' her father was admitted with. He was then suspended and asked to leave the hospital.

He went to a Gulf country. Two years later, he was arrested there for misbehaving

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with a female patient.

Comments

Alcoholism, drug-addiction, avarice, philandering, and major psychiatric problems are some undesirable traits found in some health professionals. These traits may directly or indirectly harm the patients under their care. "Until there is a practicable alternative to blind trust in the doctor, the truth about the doctor is so terrible that we dare not face it. Not only is the first class man set to do third class work, but what is more terrifying, the third class man is expected to first class work.” Bernard Shaw might have overstated his case; nevertheless, there is much truth in it (see Chapter2).

The professional colleagues, who usually spot these first, face the ethical dilemma of protecting a colleague or protecting his/her unsuspecting patients (see Chapter 16). The spirit of guild and collegial loyalty are often stronger and prevail. The colleague escapes and the public may suffer because of this protectionism.

Shaw had some strong words on this too. He said, "Every doctor will allow a colleague to decimate a whole country side sooner than violate the bond of professional etiquette by giving him away. He is not sure enough of his own opinion to ruin another man by it.” The Medical Councils should be more proactive in identifying and weeding out the "bad apples" from the profession.

Meanwhile, if you are a woman, you should be able to spot a 'Don Juan' and protect yourself in a hospital. Intrusive body language that makes a woman uncomfortable is the first clue. Suggestive remarks and smooth-talking may be more difficult to decipher.

Not keeping a female attendant like a midwife or a nurse while examining a woman is by itself an unethical act. Warning bells should sound if any such attempt is made. You should insist on a female attendant, at least another female patient or a relation to stand by your side before submitting to an examination or a procedure by a male. If your request is ignored and an attempt is made to undress you or close the door and dim the lights in the room, you are justified in running out and raising an alarm.

You can be proactive. Get the names of male professionals and nurses who attend on you in a large hospital. Insist on a female attendant. Crooked nurses are also known - so

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watch out! A well-lit room and an open door are safer than a dark room with bolted doors.

If you are a young health professional, remember that modesty has no age-bar. Young male doctors at times carelessly handle women patients - "old enough to be my mother" - and are shocked if complaints are lodged against them for a misdemeanour (see Chapter 41).

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SECTION –3

COPING WITH HEALTH CARE

“The meaning of a crisis lies not in the situation but in the interaction between the situation and the ability of the person to successfully cope with it”. - WI Thomas