Always check doctor’s treatment

I AM a medical doctor who had an experience of rescuing my relative who was admitted to a private medical hospital last.
A relative of mine was admitted there due to a long-standing lung disease, heart failure and pulmonary oedema in mid-2011.
On this occasion he called me because he was very distressed and breathless despite doctors doing everything they knew.
When I arrived, I was troubled to see him distressed, breathless and coughing up a lot of fluid from his lungs.
My relative was literally drowning in IV fluids that were infused into him.
I immediately pulled down the fluids and increased his oxygen flow rate and got the nurses to urgently give extra medication without even consulting his doctors.
I crossed the line or violated medical ethnics in order to save my relative.
Later, I was shocked to learn that not only were non-specialists managing his complicated illness but also the doctors treating him were both trainees doctors in psychiatry and public health.
I later explained to them about the changes to treatment that I initiated and they understandably agreed with me.
I stayed with him until all fluids making him distressed were removed from his lungs. He got a fright of his life and requested for transfer to the public hospital next day.
It is a good idea to find about the qualifications and work experiences of that doctor who is treating you.
Gone are the days when you had to accept everything a doctor say or does.
Always request an explanation for every procedure that is performed or drugs that are given.
Request a specialist or a senior doctor if you are not satisfied with their explanation and treatment.

Medical researcher,
Port Moresby