Preserving Patient Dignity (Formerly Patient Modesty) Volume 127

 A Worthy Posting today on Volume 126 to set off a discussion of  " Preserving Patient Dignity " which should be more acknowledgment that there has been, within the past, some ignorance by the medical profession that the concept of the dignity of the patient exists and should not be attacked and injured. Here is the last posting of our contributor Reginald:Hello,As I pondered why dignity is such a hard concept for healthcare, I mused regarding what has changed – realizing that what happened in the past was not always something better.Thirty years ago I had a cardiologist as a GP. Yes, a cardiologist as a GP. That this was possible was astounding, even at that time. I visited him once a year and, the visit lasted for almost an hour. The session started in his office. Yes, in his office, not an exam room. His first statement was, “Tell me what has happened in the past year?” He’d then listen, respond, and ask further probing questions. After at least 30 minutes he’d invite you to the exam room while he followed with his black bag. (One would think that he was a doc out of the 1800’s.) The exam was complete – noth ing missed – no rush. Bowel issues might be addressed in the exam room via a sigmoidoscopy, a modified colonoscopy without anesthesia. There was no need for another office or hospital visit. The exam might be interrupted as he was called out to answer a patient’s phone call. He could be heard sa ying, “No, Mr. Smith. You must take tha...
Source: Bioethics Discussion Blog - Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: blogs