During one of my placements in a mental health setting, I met with a patient suffering from drug-induced depression. She was pregnant in her third trimester and was complaining of low back pain. The nurses referred her to the physiotherapist for the relief of her back pain. I was assigned to this case. On meeting with her, she was full of complains and started hurling vulgarities at me. I offered to give her a massage that she refused, tried to teach her to correct her posture that she did not want to listen and offered advice on pregnancy but was bluntly shut off as she claimed she knew more than I did because she has had six previous pregnancies.
There was no explanation as to why vulgarities were hurled at me because I have not even attempted any form of treatment on her. It was upon coming into the physiotherapy department that could have agitated her. My supervisor tried pacifying her but was shut off by her as well.
Should I ignore her? Should I walk away from her? Or should I continue treatment?
Given the option, I really should have ignored her rendering neither treatment nor advice. However, as a professional I have due diligence to relief her of the back pain that she is complaining off as she has been assigned to my care. This is indeed a dilemma! On reflection, it would be to my advantage to seek advice from a psychologist to better manage my emotions when meeting this type of patients.
In this instance where there was no way I could go near her, it could have been better if I request that she decides what is best for herself. So as not to agitate her further, I would prefer to leave the scene and let her cool down on her own. However, I would observe her from a distance so that she would not harm herself. At the same time, I would try to link up with the nurses to find out whom she can better relate to and work together with that person to gain access into managing her back pain.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
That would not have been a very nice situation to be put in!! I know as professionals we do have a duty of care, but we also have to get the patients consent to treat them. If I had been in your situation (which I am so glad I was not) I think I might have explained what I could do to help the patient. Then asked if the patient would like this treatmtent and if she declined I would have just left her. I would then explain the situation to my supervising physiotherapist and let them handle it any further. I hope this helps if you ever encounter another patient like this!!
Post a Comment