I'm a premed student, and today was my first day volunteering in the ER at the hospital. What's really bothering me (and I know I'll have to get over this) is not being able to know what happens to the patients that we see once they leave that area. There was one girl in particular around my age was a serious case, and she was one of the first patients that I helped. Its really bothering me now because I want to know if shes okay. Would it be overstepping for me to contact her via myspace or facebook? Or are there any legal restrictions on such actions? I don't have any thoughts of getting together with her or anything. I am just genuinely worried and want to make sure shes okay. I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
2007-05-18 18:38:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Yes, it is absolutely overstepping the bounds of propriety.
You are a PRE-MED student? You're just lucky to see any patients at all. You don't even have a professional relationship with her (or any other patient) until you are at least a medical student.
If you're in the ER, you won't be getting feedback unless you screw up. ER docs treat 'em and move 'em out. They're too busy to follow up on patients. They transfer care to other doctors, and those doctors follow up. That's how it works.
If continuity of care is important to you, try to find a family practice clinic to volunteer in. That is the setting where relationships are important.
With regard to that patient, you could ask another doctor what happened to her, but I wouldn't go any further than that.
2007-05-19 01:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal check-ups are okay, as long as it stays professional and the patient is okay with it. Contacting her by myspace may be a little excessive. Since myspace is more of a personal site area, contacting her there may not look very appropriate or prossional with the patient herself. I'm sure if she signed in with the ER of your hospital, the hospital will have her contact information. The bedlists which are shown too all employees also contain information for you. The best way is to find the phone number by which she registered as the appropriate number for hospital personel to contact her. If you cannot contact her directly, hopefully she put a friend or relative contact number. You could call them. If nothing is available, then just wish her luck. Sometimes, we really cannot do all we want to. Good Luck.
2007-05-18 18:52:38 · answer #2 · answered by Miami_Tennis 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's the wrong way to go. Myspace is not a secure area, so privacy laws make it a bit shaky, but the ethics of the situation are still such that it's not a good idea. Better to pull the chart if she was admitted and check the outcome that way. Now's a good time to get used to medical records; you'll be spending lots of your life there.
2007-05-19 03:23:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contacting a former patient via MySpace or Facebook is not a good idea. It's unethical and somewhat creepy. Part of working in the medical field is having to learn to "let it go" when the patient has moved on.
2007-05-18 18:59:11 · answer #4 · answered by Beckers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im sorry, but that sounds rather stalkerish.
i'm sure you're genuinely concerend about her welfare, but you are a soon to be a medical professional, and that would not be appropriate for you to contact a former patient through myspace--even though it is public domain.
also, you have to think about if this person wants you to contact her. you met her at a very private moment in her life--receiving medical care--and it might make her feel awkward of cause embarassement as you've seen her at her most vulerable.
you'll meet many people in your career that you will worry for, but if you hold on to these feelings too hard or for too long, it will interfere with your personal life and professional judgement.
if this isn't the answer you want, i suggest talking with your mentor.
2007-05-18 19:07:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know enough about this girl to contact her on myspace or facebook, you've already overstepped the bounds of propriety. If you didn't already know this, you wouldn't be seeking approval here. Your advisor can probably refer you to a source of psychiatric help.
2007-05-18 19:02:33 · answer #6 · answered by Helmut 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If i replaced into your affected person, it may touch my coronary heart that somebody had to confirm if i replaced into ok. As for regulations, I have no clue on that. you're able to could ask somebody on the hospital you artwork at. policies could be diverse at each and every place.
2016-10-05 08:47:11 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,I don't know to much about this stuff, but I don't think your supposed to.Sorry. I think they might consider that getting personal, even though that is not your intentions. Maybe you could ask who her personal Dr. is, and than find out through him, or her? Like I said, I don't know to much about this stuff. Good Luck and Good luck to the girl too.
2007-05-18 18:48:51 · answer #8 · answered by Sandyspacecase 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are bound by the HIPPA laws, federal offense against your employer, and grounds for dismissal for the employee...
2007-05-19 07:20:03 · answer #9 · answered by mago 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋