Indexing Title: NALUDINOs Medical Anecdotal Report [07-05]

MAR Title: It is not for me to judge

Date of Medical Observation: February, 2007

Narration:

 Eanie, meanie, mynie, moe, catch a killer by the toe.

 I had this patient, approximately three months ago. He sought consult at our emergency room because he was beaten up by his drinking buddies. Because he was intoxicated with alcohol, we cannot fully ascertain his neurological status. We treated his wounds and admitted him for observation. During his admission and his initial days nobody bothered to drop by and look after him.

 That is why I was surprised when I saw someone at his bedside a few days later.  From someone who never had a soul by his side he turned into someone who was never left alone. So much so, that it seemed they were guarding him. Guarding him from what? Curiosity got the best of me, I had to know.

 I talked to the “bantays.” It turned out that they were neither his friends nor his relatives. They were there to make sure the man does not escape. Apparently my patient is a murder suspect. A crime that happened in Cagayan Valley almost a year ago. They have been looking for him for almost a year now.

 Every day, they were asking me whether or not I can discharge the patient. It came to a point that I found myself avoiding them. I told them I will discharge the patient when I deem the patient fit for discharge. They reluctantly agreed.

 Insights: (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements)

 As physicians, we meet a multitude of people. Some patients we encounter, we truly empathize with. Some others, we just want to get the treatment over with and forget we ever met them. When I saw this patient initially, I just wanted to get the treatment over with. There is something about intoxicated patients. Somehow I just can’t over the feeling that it is their fault this had to happen. Add to this the fact that this patient turned out to be a murder suspect. I wanted to discharge the patient immediately. I wanted to send him to the judge so that he can face his accuser.

 But how can I?

 Am I to abandon my responsibilities as a doctor so that this patient can serve what is due to him? To treat any one regardless of who they are, that is my oath. I cannot turn my back on my oath as a physician. Let them who seek justice, do so on their own terms. Let me treat my patient as I see fit. It is not for me to pass judgment on anyone, especially on my patients.