Patients that have been incarcerated have a tendency to show higher rates of chronic health problems, substance abuse, and mental illness than the general population. Unfortunately, these patients are less likely to receive suitable medical services. This is a particular concern in the U.S. because even though the country has the highest incarceration rate worldwide, there hasn’t been a considerably crime-free society. In Kimberly (2007) case study, the patient who was diagnosed with major depression and hypertension was not able to take his medication after being incarcerated for a few months. This worsened his health condition because he could no longer access his medication as directed. As a nurse practitioner, I think the level of ignorance in the incarceration facility is overwhelming. The medical team in these facilities ought to provide medication forms to be signed by inmates to ensure that they receive their drugs regularly as prescribed.
In addition to recommendations as to how a medical practitioner should conduct himself, his ethical responsibility should include “recognition of the unconditional value of patients as a person” while acknowledging that having respect for all patients may entail “internal work” (Gerald & Patricia, 2008).In this particular case, very strong and different feelings are aroused in both the patient and in the medical doctor. There is evidence of anger, pity, compassion, passive aggression, and immature defense. By failing to keep our emotions in control, no viable solutions would be met. Emotions play a great role in rousing related acts. There is a high likelihood of the patient becoming violent due to his inability to control his emotions (Gerald & Patricia, 2008).
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Ethical, Legal, and Professional position
There can be no doubt that most medical practitioners seriously struggle to control their feelings and decrees to meet their expert values. This is to say that patients with anxiety, depression, and problems that couldn’t be discussed could bring about the doctor’s resentment and frustration (Gerald & Patricia, 2008). In the case study by Kimberly (2007), the patient’s outburst is evidence that he held himself ethically accountable for not being able to take his medication as directed and for getting incarcerated because of robbery. Data from different fields shows that a person’s attitude is neither steady nor unitary. The Implicit Attitude Test (IAT) that has made its way into the healthcare environment from social psychology, rely on matters’ reaction time to differentiate between negative and positive insentient outlooks (David, 2010).
According to the information derived by the Medical Protection Society, very often there is already some dissatisfaction with the doctor-patient communication on the patient’s part. This may be due to the doctor not giving the patient time to speak out his concerns. The result is that the patient is not satisfied with the medic’s concern. To solve this issue and lessen the risk of the medic being the focus of a grievance, he should spend more time in boosting a better doctor-patient connection. Doctors ought to be very thoughtful since it’s the patient’s insight that counts (David, 2010).
When a patient becomes irate and potentially assaultive, it is crucial to avoid direct confrontation. Medical practitioners ought to learn how to identify signs of intensified distress and practice presenting himself as a composed, gentle professional, and maintain control even when facing a possibly violent patient. The medic makes sure that they provide chances for patients to be in control of their own actions (Gwen, 2009).
Other ethical issues
Medical practitioners must not harm the patient despite the patient’s outbursts. In Kimbley (2007) case, the medic does not react to the patient’s outburst to ensure the situation is under control. Everyone, including the patients and the medical practitioners, has a right to dignity. Respect for the patient’s emotions and privacy should have been exercised by the doctor to prevent the patient from getting agitated.
References
David, S. (2010). Legal Issues for the Medical Practitioner . New York: New York University Press. Print.
Gerald, P. & Patricia, K. (2008). Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Profession. Chicago: Oxford University Press. Print.
Gwen, V. (2009). Communication Skills for the Health Care Professional: Concepts, Practices, and Evidence. New York: Jones & Barlett Publishers. Print.
Kimberly, S. (2007) . How to Talk with Patients about Incarceration and Health. AMA Journal of Ethics. Available at: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/how-talk-patients-about-incarceration-and-health/2017-09
