Not the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.
  • College lawsuit
  • Sue More !
  • Boundaries
  • Ears, Nose, Throat... And Tits
  • Ban Hockey Talk
  • Ban Singing Too !

The Ear, Nose, and Tit Dilemma 

Picture
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC is very enthusiastic about "boundaries".


But here is a contradiction for you.

The first part below is an excerpt from a course run by the College of Physicians and Surgeons about Professional Boundaries.   



As if they knew anything about that.
Because, the second part of this page is a complaint almost identical to the "bad example" given by the College.

The punchline is ... the second complaint was made about the Vice - President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.

Should ENT's be checking breasts ....er lungs and hearts ???

Picture
Here is what the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. says about such matters, directly from one of their own teaching examples. 

"     Dr. Otto          An otolaryngologist ( Dr. Otto) saw a 38 year old woman in consultation on several occasions for chronic sinusitis. He determined that she would benefit from sinus surgery, which had to be done under general anesthesia.  He explained the surgical indications to the patient and reviewed the various risks and benefits with her.  He gave her an information sheet to take home !    After the patient agreed to have teh surgery, he proceeded to do the necessary hospital pre-admission paperwork.  This included documentation of physical findings.

The V neck sweater dilemma ...

PictureTo scope or not to scope ???
"The doctor recorded the blood pressure and pulse, as noted on the first visit by the MOA.  He recorded the significant aspects of the ear , nose, and throat examination he had just completed.  He then picked up his stethoscope and placed it inside and just beneath the V - neck sweater the patient was wearing.  After listening a few seconds he asked her to take several deep breaths and move the stethoscope a few inches lateral on each side.  He proceeded to record that the heart sounds were normal and that lungs were clear. The O.R. booking request was forwarded to the hospital.   A few weeks later the hospital O.R. booking was confirmed. 
When the MOA called the patient , she stated that she did not wish the surgery and that she did not wish to see Dr. Otto again. "

Picture
Picture
PictureHe assaulted me !
" The following week the College received a complaint from the patient alleging that Dr. Otto had inappropriately touched her breasts and that she felt violated, similar to how she felt in her teens when a friend of her father assaulted her.  

PictureI was just listening to her heart and lungs
"Dr. Otto responded to the complaint, stating that he had a responsibility to complete a pre-operative medical exam.  He felt that listening under the patients clothes would not cause her discomfort or embarrassment. He stated that it was a frivolous complaint.  In discussion with the registrar staff ,, he stated that he did not think it was necessary that otolaryngologists provide gowns to patients and as them to undress.   He commented that it would be hard to do a detailed chest examination with the patient sitting in the type of examination chair that he used. "

What should the College of Physicians & Surgeons of B.C. do about the complaint ?

PictureBeware of breasts ...
That is a fascinating question !  Probably one for the philosophers among you.   And one which I may create a blog for , so that people can comment.

But ....
1)  The College uses this in its "professional  behavior" course as an example of a doctor who screwed up.
2) College members seem to screw up in the very same way themselves.   So who are they to judge  ???

The same complaint, except the ENT mentioned is a board member for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.     It seems that the sinners are casting the stones....

Picture
An actual screen shot from the ratemds web site.   Which is a site with debatable merits, but it appears to be legal, and has this to say about the Vice-President of the College.  An  ENT surgeon.
 
Curious how close it corresponds to the "bad example" that the College lists above in their course on professional deportment !

Do they use themselves as bad examples ?

Or are they just hypocrites ?
Or are the current standards of  "professional behavior" impossible ?

Picture
College Board Members ... note the handsome devil out front

A necessary postscript...

PictureIt is not like he put his stethoscope anywhere very inappropriate ....









Until I have firm proof otherwise, I will consider Dr. Jewitt to be a fine and honorable physician.

After all, he has given of himself to make medicine a better profession.  Which makes him (probably ) very close to a saint.  Unless ....

But my point is that even one deranged patient ( or possibly a not deranged one), can cause a physician an enormous amount of pain and damage.  With the most idiotic accusation.   

Something which I think the College should take into consideration more than it does.

The greater the power , the more gently it must  be wielded !


Picture
Dr. Jewitt