Shishkabob
Forum Chief
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We've all been there. A patient or their family asks "So what should we do?" More often than not, the typical response I've seen is "I can't answer that due to liability". Question is, is it really? Time and time again, I see providers go "You called for a reason", or something of that nature. For people that "refuse" transport, they ask what they should do, what OTC meds they should take. Providers are often worried about some legal thing that prevents them from answering something as simple as "If it was me, I'd take aspirin or another thing like it", for fear of "practicing medicine without a license".
How can we continue to progress as professionals if we can't answer those questions out of fear of litigation, getting in trouble at our work, or some other issue?
How are we to go about educating our patients if we can't answer simple questions like this? What are your agency's rules, if any, on answering questions like that? What do you personally do to educate people, either on their misuse of the system, or what OTC meds might help, or any other types of questions they may have for you, the healthcare professional?
My agency has some handouts we give for specific ailments, in English and Spanish, if patients 'refuse' transport, such as seatbelt bruises and airbag burns from MVCs, care after a hypoglycemic event, care for minor wounds, and others.
I'll admit I sometimes sidestep a straight answer with a "That puts me in a tough spot if anything goes wrong", but I've also said "If it was me or my family...".
How can we continue to progress as professionals if we can't answer those questions out of fear of litigation, getting in trouble at our work, or some other issue?
How are we to go about educating our patients if we can't answer simple questions like this? What are your agency's rules, if any, on answering questions like that? What do you personally do to educate people, either on their misuse of the system, or what OTC meds might help, or any other types of questions they may have for you, the healthcare professional?
My agency has some handouts we give for specific ailments, in English and Spanish, if patients 'refuse' transport, such as seatbelt bruises and airbag burns from MVCs, care after a hypoglycemic event, care for minor wounds, and others.
I'll admit I sometimes sidestep a straight answer with a "That puts me in a tough spot if anything goes wrong", but I've also said "If it was me or my family...".