The Cringeworthy Moments in Healthcare: Patient Horrors from the Front Lines
The Cringeworthy Moments in Healthcare: Patient Horrors from the Front Lines
Every profession has its awkward moments, and healthcare is no exception. Whether you're a patient or a professional, these stories offer a glimpse into the uncomfortable realities that can happen in the medical field. From misdiagnoses and errors to the perfectly cringeworthy, these experiences are both educational and harrowing. This article explores the most cringeworthy things that healthcare professionals have heard or experienced during their careers.
Crismile’s Experience: A Misdiagnosis with Dire Consequences
Crismile, a woman who previously worked as a patient of a pain doctor, recounts one of the most cringeworthy and traumatic experiences she faced during back surgery. Describing the episode, she says, "I was a patient of a pain doctor, trying to get some relief after a back surgery from 9-12 months before. This doctor tells me to turn around while I am standing and sticks a needle into my back. I felt a lightning bolt shock and jerked reflexively. Went numb from the waist down. Told him I couldnt feel my legs and Im really upset by now Im scared to death."
Amidst her fear and distress, the doctor responded with an incredibly insensitive remark. "Doctors response: Well, youre not paralyzed are you" he said. He then walked out, leaving the staff to tell Crismile to leave as they needed the room for another patient. Crismile's ordeal didn't end there. She was eventually admitted to the hospital because the doctor had punctured her spinal cord, causing her to leak spinal fluid and suffering from an excruciating headache. The pain doctor lied about the size of the needle used, and Crismile regrets not filing a malpractice lawsuit.
Understanding Patient Horrors from a Medical Professional's Perspective
As a veteran and healthcare professional at a VA hospital, Crismile takes on the role of intake. She interviews patients about their medical history and symptoms. For instance, she trains new staff by performing intakes, asking essential questions like, "Are you taking all of your prescribed meds?”, “have you had an unexplained fall in the last year?”, and “do you have little interest or pleasure in doing things?” There's a moment during one training session that leaves her profoundly shaken.
The next patient in training was a veteran wearing a purple heart hat. The training partner asked the veteran if he had a purple heart, and he replied, "Yes ma’am I have two." It was safe to deduce that this veteran had served in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart for his service. However, the training partner's response, "Wow cool!" was met with Crismile's horror. The veteran explained, "it wasn’t very cool at the time.” Crismile was deeply mortified, not just for the veteran, but also for the training partner who oblivious to the weight of the Purple Heart award.
Conclusion: Learning from Patient Horrors
These stories highlight the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in healthcare. They serve as a reminder that every patient has a story and that we must approach them with care and respect. From the missteps of doctors to the insensitive comments of healthcare professionals, these experiences underscore the need for continual education and improvement in the field.
The most cringeworthy moments in healthcare are often the ones that remind us of the fragility of human life and the impact of our actions on others. By sharing these stories, we can learn from them and strive to make healthcare a space of healing and understanding.