10 Responses to “Do You Think The Ethical Responsibility Of Hospital Staff Has Deteriorated?”

1. Gravy Says:
   November 22nd, 2009 at 5:04 pm

   I agree. I’ve been fortunate enough not to have too many brushes with the medical community, but on those occasions I have, I’ve felt more processed than cared for.
   It’s understandable, though — when you’re sick or hurt or in labour and worried, you want a lot of heart and sympathy, especially in a hospital when you’re in a gown and feeling especially vulnerable or it’s a monumentous event for you. So I think that given the situation, what we need from other people is greater and almost anyone in healthcare is going to fall short of our hopes. Half the time, our own friends and family do.
   I’ve read that the sort of people who get into the caring professions like medicine or social work also burn out the hardest and become the most jaded. They’re emotionally generous people put into very difficult and ugly situations day after day, often with very difficult and ugly people, and it breaks them. The only way to survive is to process the liver, the birth, the hemorrhage, the infection, the abuse.
   Nurses and social workers get mistreated by their bosses, the hours are long, the pay is junk, and often they’re physically or verbally attacked by either the person they’re trying to help or their family. It’s a hard existence and it’s a lot to ask of someone to put a fresh smile on every single time.
   So yes, they’re jaded, but we did it to them.

2. Diane Says:
   November 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm

   No, there is an extreme shortage of hospital staff throughout the country. This is not new news. Small staffs means longer work hours, lots of overtime and not many thanks for their work. Nurses and doctors are some of the hardest working professionals in the world.
   Also understand that nurses and doctors “distance” themselves from patients in order to deal neutrally with their issues. It is not personal.

3. natanyx Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 am

   Yes!
   When my Mom had to have a hysterectomy done, I was astounded at how little the hospital staff cared in terms of taking care of her. The nurses were chatting loudly outside her room, they were clipped and cold with her, it was awful. Having a relative in the hospital is bad enough, but it is ten times worse when you can’t sleep because you don’t know if they’re being taken care of.
   That said, there are some absolutely amazing nurses.

4. chantal m Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 am

   You yourself said you were delirious. Perception is reality I guess. I wonder if all lawyers are scumbags? I wonder if all waiters in france are rude? I wonder if all people in california have blond hair and are tanned? I wonder if all patients have pain?
   Avoid over generalizing.
   Avoid putting negative opinions out there just because of your one, apparently bad experience.
   There are bad people everywhere and there are bad people working everywhere we all come across them.
   I find your remarks insulting.

5. ~sara~ Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am

   I would say yes, sadly. I see it myself. Did you hear about the clinic in Las Vegas that was reusing syringes? This story is sooo crazy to me because none of the staff said or reported anything about it. It only came out because their patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis because of their carelessness. But it is very comforting when I see the doctors/nurses, like your husband, who really do care.

6. DennisJ Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm

   I’d say yes. They treat you more like a job rather than something they did because they like being around people. Yes they deserve thanks, thanks for saving my life, but do they care, no, they just say sure. There is quite a few hospitals where i live and upon one visit i waited almost an hour to see a doctor. There were 3 doctors standing at the nurses station just talking about the weather, and sports and such. It was rather ridiculous having to wait when you could see 3 obviously not busy doctors.

7. Clueless Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 7:24 pm

   I think that in most places when you are treated like you were that the most common excuse is going to be that they are overworked.
   I have a friend that gives super care but when you are on 18 plus hours or more…..you get tired and there fore not getting the best care from someone that needs a break.

8. Stephen G Says:
   November 23rd, 2009 at 11:19 pm

   Maybe. The nursing profession is greatly overlooked by the majority of people. What these people see and deal with everyday is unreal.
   They are the ” Unsung Heroes” of the Medical profession.
   The only reason they may seem jaded is because of LAWYERS.
   You can find a lawyer to sue a bed pan these days.
   Good Luck

9. megansm1 Says:
   November 24th, 2009 at 1:09 am

   I agree..they are jaded.

10. Numb Says:
    November 24th, 2009 at 3:06 am

    I agree with you 100%