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liaising_with_health_professionals [2020/12/02 20:19] charles |
liaising_with_health_professionals [2020/12/02 20:21] (current) charles |
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In serious cases, two difficult questions are likely to come up. The first is hospitalisation. GPs are increasingly ready to recognise the desire of many patients to die at home. It is therefore important to them to know the patient’s current thinking on this. (Patients can change their minds, especially if pain control is proving difficult.) Now that there is a lot of emphasis on patient-centred medicine, there may be reluctance on the part of the GP to take your word on this; he wants to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Some carers take this amiss. “He doesn’t trust me….” Yes, he does, but he has an obligation to check with the patient if s/he is well/ | In serious cases, two difficult questions are likely to come up. The first is hospitalisation. GPs are increasingly ready to recognise the desire of many patients to die at home. It is therefore important to them to know the patient’s current thinking on this. (Patients can change their minds, especially if pain control is proving difficult.) Now that there is a lot of emphasis on patient-centred medicine, there may be reluctance on the part of the GP to take your word on this; he wants to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Some carers take this amiss. “He doesn’t trust me….” Yes, he does, but he has an obligation to check with the patient if s/he is well/ | ||
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That will not, of course, be an easy conversation in some cases - and your role can feel very uncomfortable, | That will not, of course, be an easy conversation in some cases - and your role can feel very uncomfortable, | ||
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The other difficult question that may come up with the GP is the DNR notice - do not resuscitate. | The other difficult question that may come up with the GP is the DNR notice - do not resuscitate. | ||
Again, there may be tension between what the patient tells the doctor and what s/he tells you. Hassle-minimisers will say they don’t want to cause a stir by being involved in such a procedure. Sparkier souls will want to keep all possibilities for life available - but may be embarrassed to say so. If in your judgement time permits, it may be wise to let a few days elapse before quietly raising the issue and then letting the GP know the final decision. | Again, there may be tension between what the patient tells the doctor and what s/he tells you. Hassle-minimisers will say they don’t want to cause a stir by being involved in such a procedure. Sparkier souls will want to keep all possibilities for life available - but may be embarrassed to say so. If in your judgement time permits, it may be wise to let a few days elapse before quietly raising the issue and then letting the GP know the final decision. |