hi guys,
Just wondering if anyone has had similar experience as this. During my last placement (cardio), I got one of my patient up who was a day 4 post whipples up and walking. I checked everything I had to and constantly monitored her SpO2 during the walk and she was doing fine and not having any complain. However, 2 days later she had a second episode of partial resection of stomach and pancreas and came back to the ward few days after her stay in ICU. Her condition obviously declined significantly after 2 major operations and as I went to see her again to get her up as her chests were sounding very quiet bibasally and ambulation would definitely be the best treatment option for the lady for the day, her husband started to imply that Physio wasn't necessary and would prefer his wife to RIB. As I explained to him why PT is important for her right now, husband started to blame PT for the incident and implied that if the pt didn't go for the first walk, the 2nd episode of surgery wouldn't have been necessary. For a second the whole atmosphere became quiet awkward for me and other fellow student for we did not know how to convince the husband that PT would not cause complications like that and so we explained & said that complications do occur with surgeries and told him that no one really knows the cause of the incident (of course he became grumpy thoughtout Rx). And knowing that we can't really blame the surgeons neither as complications do occur with surgeries. Does everyone know any other more convincing way of convincing families in a situation like that?
Robin
2 comments:
Hmmmm sounds tricky Robin, i guess in a situation like that you just have to try and not take it personally and remember that these families are under a lot of stress and probably say things they wouldn't otherwise. The only other sthing i could suggest would maybe have been some additional information (i.e. pamphlet, education+++) about the role of the physiotherapist in the surg ward , the benefits of ambluation post surgery, and about potential post-op complications. Although this may have been handy prior to the op. If patients understand our role better then they may be more compliant? Other than that, keep your head up! Amanda
Unfortunately, I think it's inevitable that working in a hospital you are going to sometimes come across family members who are stressed out/angry... and sometimes they want to take it out on you.
Not sure there is much more you could have done to make the husband happy, it sounds like you handled it well. Don't let it bother you too much if your explanation didn't work that well, because he was probably just frustrated at his wife's situation more than anything.
Steve
Post a Comment