mar VI

JONATHAN MALABANAN M.D.

Surgery Resident

Ospital Ng Maynila Medical Center

MEDICAL ANECDOTAL REPORT

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Presence of a Senior Resident

(July 2007)

Narration

I was on pre-duty that day. I was at the hospital and was about to get some much needed sleep in preparation for duty the following day. My girlfriend called me. She told me that her father needed an emergency cut down according to his physician. Her father was diagnosed with lung Ca, Stage IV and was undergoing supportive treatment at home by a physician who is a family friend.

I immediately prepared my things. Knowing the patient to be edematous, I had anticipated that it was going to be a difficult undertaking. I told myself that in case I should fail, I had better have a plan B. I saw one of my immediate senior that time and asked for a favor. He was my plan B – to refer it to him in case my attempt of the procedure became unsuccessful. Without hesitation, he agreed.

We drove all the way to San Pedro, Laguna that night. Upon arrival, we talked to the physician and relatives. As I was performing a quick history and physical examination, I happened to palpate a small vein on his right arm. I inserted a gauge 20 intravenous catheter and was able to acquire venous access. Hydration ensued. After a chat and merienda, we waved goodbye to my girlfriend, the attending physician and relatives.

Insight: (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcement)

Being a resident and in training, it is only normal for us to feel nervous whenever executing any procedure, more so on a special patient. We ask ourselves what will happen next if the procedure fails? Whom should I refer to? However, the mere presence and knowledge that a senior, one who has more experience, is at your back will make you confident in performing the task at hand.

In doing an operation, we should also look for options. Preconceived ideas of any disease entity may not always turn out as such. Basically, we don’t know what we are about to see intra-operatively. Guidance from a senior resident plus readings will lead the way to a successful operation.

Previous Next