Question

Unit 2 Discussion Do you agree with Atul Gawande about the importance of acknowledging the falibility of healhcare providers, the mystery that underles human alments, and the uncertainty that, according to Gawande, consitutes "medicines ground state' (229)? W so, do you have any stories of your own that help to lustrate these concems? If not, what kinds of counter. arguments would you propose to Gawande about the possibility of elminating these specters from the healhcare seting? What kinds of stratogies might you suggest to help caregivers and patients cope with talibility, mystery, and uncertainty? Reply

Answer 1

Yes I agree because it's the fact that each human body varies in response to medicines.

There are two possibilities of fallibility-

1. Healthcare provider may not have knowledge about specific symptom or treatment or may fail to apply his knowledge.

2. The most predictable response main deviate depending on the individual. Best example is anaphylactic shock due to diclofenac.

It's very important to acknowledge because its life saving. It is best illustrated with this example from my experience-

A patient affected by dengue fever was administered iron injection in right gluteal muscle which resulted in edema in his right limb. This happened due to lack of knowledge. Since she acknowledged it was rectified by applying crepe bandage and leg lifted position. The patient was saved rank for the complications.

Fallibility and uncertainty is avoidable as for as possible-

1. Administering test doses before administration of any medication.

2. Acquiring complete knowledge of ailments and symptoms.

3. Sharing knowledge among Healthcare providers about the specific ailment especially regarding predictable complications.

4. Acquiring knowledge about antidotes and ensure its availability in hospital setting.

5. Inter departmental consultations helps in in preventing complications.