Introduction to patient and family

I had my last placement in an oncology ward. It was a cardio placement so the patients I saw usually had a respiratory issue and was thus admitted to hospital. Among the many patients I saw, there was a particular patient that left an impression on me. This patient was hospitalised because he complained of a recent increase in SOB with a history of lung Ca. He was put on O2 therapy since admission. I saw him the next day and learnt that he desat to low 70s early that morning as he walked to the toilet without a portable O2 tank. The nurses panicked and brought him back to bed immediately and changed his mask from a Hudson mask to a NRB mask. The patient’s family learnt about the situation and was very upset with the nurses. Since that situation, the family have been very wary of the people that come to see the patient. The family demanded everything to be explained to them before any procedure was done or any treatment given out.

As I was just a student, the family was naturally wary of me seeing the patient. Fortunately, my supervisor came with me the first time to see this patient. She introduced me to the patient and his family and explained to them that I would be in-charge of this patient. She also assured them that I would have the required skills to be able to treat the patient and that she as a supervisor would be monitoring what I was doing. I felt that this introduction was good as it helped bridge the gap between the family and us as physio students. I know that although we as physio students have got all the knowledge we require to treat patients, we still have not got enough experience or confidence at times. I appreciated this introduction very much as it helped a lot with both patient and family compliance.

At that point of time, I was thinking to myself: What if my supervisor had not given that introduction and I had to do it myself, would the family be as compliant? Also, I know that I cannot depend on my supervisor to give an introduction each time I am faced with a situation like that as I have to be able to handle it on my own.

After thinking about what happened, I realised that I will have to learn to face both the patients and their families on my own. They may not be confident of my skills and what I have to offer, but I still have to prove to them that I have what it takes! ☺ I have to learn to portray a more confident image and be able to take control of the situation. I apologised on the nurses’ behalf for allowing the patient to go to the toilet earlier that morning without a portable O2. I also told the patient that the next time he needs to go to the toilet, he has to ask for a portable O2. I told the family that I would place a tank of portable O2 beside the patient’s bed so that both the patient and the nurses will not forget to use it the next time the patient gets out of bed.

The family and patient were happy with the arrangement, and I was glad they were not as upset as before. The next time I am faced with such a situation, I guess I would carry on as per normal, give a formal introduction and explain the purpose of my treatment and do my best to help the patient. I believe that a mistake made by a healthcare professional should not be condemned but should be brought up and the mistake should be rectified. Everyone deserves a second chance!