Would you or would you not complain to your grandmother's doctor when her life is

jj_700

New member
literally at his mercy? I may delete this question. If it's ok with you, please tell me what you would do.

My grandmother broke her leg last week and is now in a hospital waiting for an operation. A doctor in charge of her operation told me there was a possiblity that people around her age could go senile while in a hospital. She was diagnosed with a mild cerebral infarction last year, so it could really happen.

She's usually ninety percent normal, but still something wrong with her. She considers herself completely okay and dislikes very much when I say there's something wrong with her. I assumed the hospital she's stayed in had psychiatrists, in which they actually didn't, and asked one of the nurses to get her an urgent professional help as she kept saying something that didn't make sense in the past five days in the hospital.

Later, the doctor turned up when I saw her beside her bed, and he talked about senile dementia RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. She was shocked and tried hard to explain to him that she was completely alright, but he ignored her as if she was nothing and kept explaining to me that they didn't have the experts of psychiatry and their top priority was taking care of her broken leg.

I've consulted the medical staff about the whole thing related to her mental conditions outside of her bedroom, so this was the first time she'd ever known that I doubted the possibility of her being dementia. Her feelings were hurt. After the doctor left, she freaked out and accused me of like stabbing her back. I know where she's coming from. Who'd feel fine if they knew their family member tried to make you look like a dementia patient, which you strongly believed you were not?

As a result, her blood pressure soared high enough to surprise a nurse that came to check it right after that.(She's now waiting for her blood pressure and other blood conditions turning normal to get a leg operation.)

I think the doctor could've avoided talking about it in front of her; psychiatric things are a sensitive topic. But I also know that doctors are busy enough to have to act in a matter-of-fact way.

Would you or would you not complain to him? If you would, was it at first hand, through his boss or by answering the questionaire about the hospital evaluation? Can you please tell me specifically?
Your opinion would be appreciated.
 
First off, if you are uncomfortable enough with this man to feel as if though your grandmother's life is at stake, transfer her! Or ask to see another doctor. People should always feel safe with their doctors, not fear them.

If your grandmother is only going to be in the hospital for a short while with her leg, then I would not say anything right now. I would wait until her surgery is over, then seek the psychiatric treatment she needs. Upon leaving, I would calmly address the doctor and tell him that you do not appreciate the way he handled the situation, and that, as a doctor, he should fully understand the sensitivity surrounding denial, and, in the future, he could stand to be more compassionate.

However, if this stay is going to be more long term, I would suggest the same thing of speaking to the doctor, only speak to the doctor's supervisor as well. Address the issue of her doctor's lack of sensitivity. While your grandmother's leg may be the main focus of her doctor( and, let's face it, doctors are very busy people), there is no reason someone can't help you with finding the psychiatric help she need whether it be someone in the resources department or a different doctor all together.
 
I know what you are going through. my mother, who is severely disabled, went into the hospital for the flu and the doctor announced that in front of her that if her heart should stop they were not going to do anything to try to bring her back and that from now on it was to be comfort measures only. She was terrified. The doctor assumed she was unable to understand what was going on. I flew in to him. He heard a few choice words that day I tell you.I suggest you take this as far as you can as fast as you can. Complain to any one who will listen.make sure his boss knows what happened and the boss above him if possible.
 
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