8 ms·
Similar experience, although less dramatic circumstances, on a Qatar flight. I was asleep, when my wife awoke my and volunteered me to address the needs of a p
by dr_ 10y ago
Similar experience, although less dramatic circumstances, on a Qatar flight.
I was asleep, when my wife awoke my and volunteered me to address the needs of a passenger passing out in the aisle of the plane. I asked for equipment to check his vitals. Bp was on the low side so I asked he remain supine with his legs slightly elevated. There was a lady sitting next to us who criticized my every move (she felt I wasn't getting an accurate pressure because he was laying down, but I was more concerned with maintaining his pressure than having it bottom out further). The passengers were upset he was laying in the aisle. Turns out the lady next to me was a physician as well, but she never volunteered this or assisted in any way. He eventually got better and I allowed him to return to his seat.
I checked on him as we landed and left the plane. Medical services came with a wheelchair to take him off. No appreciation from the crew on this, but I guess that doesn't matter at the end of the day. barring the criticism I received for how I was handling it, the situation ended well.
- niij 10y agoToo many chiefs, not enough Indians. Thank you for doing the right thing!
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- geoka9 10y agoThank you!
- cm2187 10y agoDon't physicians in the US take the hippocratic oath too?
- ntaylor 10y agoThey surely do.
- clort 10y agoIts interesting that the other doctor did not volunteer this information. I did pool lifeguard training a few years ago (in the UK) and was told that as this training is at a higher level than basic first aid training I would be legally required to notify my status and presence in an emergency, and that not doing so could leave me open to prosecution. Do doctors not have any obligations such as this laid upon them? (My lifeguard certification has expired now)
- barking 10y agoEvery medical student hears horror stories where a doctor acting as a good samaritan in less than optimal conditions results in the person who was helped suing them afterwards.
- Introvertuous 10y agoSo in other words, sued if you dont, sued if you do.
- sleavey 10y agoOn my first aid training (UK) we were told that no court has ever passed a conviction based on someone trying to provide help in an emergency. It's only one data point, but it seems morally right to me.
- barking 10y agoI don't know about that. I don't know how the people who told you that can be sure. Also you aren't really talking about criminal convictions but rather, civil actions which may never end up in front of a judge except to finalise things. These things can take years and you're dealing with no foal, no fee lawyers. Medical litigation can be an incredibly stressful situation and commonly there are coached clients who will look people in the eye and tell outright lies. These type of scummy lawyers won't go after joe soaps from whom nothing can be recovered. Also as a doctor on a flight, can you be sure that your insurer will cover you for your work outside the jurisdiction for which you're insured?
- kchoudhu 10y agoI'm actually really surprised that QR didn't top up your frequent flyer account with something -- I've seen them do it on multiple occasions. (Source: spend way too much time flying back and forth between Doha and the US)
- themartorana 10y agoNot that it matters now, but I appreciate you doing that in the face of indifference or outright criticism. If it were me or my family in need, you stepping up would be huge.