Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 482(9), P. 1515 - 1516
Published: July 15, 2024
A recent patient encounter in clinic and the developments that followed left me shaken. After sleeping on it, I feel even worse as sit here now to describe those events. Let place you room with me, hopes after read this, you'll share your thoughts about how might have handled this differently form of a letter editor. I'd value advice. The Encounter It's almost noon, down talk my last morning. Doris (not her real name) is petite 80-year-old woman who looks frail but seems strong resolve. She speaks softly elegant diction. wants get rid numb hand locking fingers. At close visit, sense something remains be said, so pause chair. Pointing teeth, she sheepishly says, "This why want hands fixed." look closely notice two crooked upper incisors few other chipped teeth. Doris's eyes well up, shares story ongoing violence she's endured at husband. says functional can care for herself when day comes flee from decades trauma. box tissues let continue. When finishes, say, "I'm very sorry hear this. need report safety." "It's not going do any good." "Why that?" "The police come before. Nothing ever happens." ask wait while figure out, walk out room, surprised. I've problem, know next steps: what seen heard, services will drop into ensure patient's safety. Heeding instincts, medical assistant call office manager, dial Emergency Department social worker duty. dismissive suggests police. Somewhat puzzled by his response, nonetheless take suggestion. Police dispatch up name address. They say they've visited home before exact most recently year ago, they closed case. Still puzzled, no closer satisfactory resolution, leave cell number request an officer me. tells there nothing unless willing give victim statement, if does that, husband go jail 12 hours. Sensibly, doesn't see worth it. press options. He file Adult Protective Services (APS), then APS work law enforcement, investigate again, report. result process? again estimates waits room. send report, hospital security talks her, leaves. My swirl collide. fear won't safe. What difference made? Everyone brushing off, I'm upset. Why am making all these calls one or able intervene decisive way? sad Doris, helpless—a feeling can't fraction helpless must feel. Next Day Today's another day, still don't right. remember well-done study earlier intimate partner [3] reviews topic [1, 2]. make it seem like we pay attention, sure we're seeing problem it's us, speak up. reality—at least seemed instance—is much more complicated. individual experiencing ready pack leave, safety net told just work. wish could was lookout patients violence, supposed be. wasn't. It happened obvious instance. And did things thought do, went right would done? Please experiences us Clearly, needs change.
Language: Английский