COMMON PITFALLS
DR. M ABBAS SUBHANI
MBBS DCH
Physicians are human beings; they may commit mistakes. They
should know what pitfalls are likely; this knowledge decreases the chances of pitfalls
significantly.
Pitfalls are PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL and INTERPERSONAL
PERSONAL-----Pitfalls of physician as a person
PROFESSIONAL----------Pitfalls of physician as a professional
INTERPERSONAL--------Pitfalls of physician regarding doctor patient relationship
THERE IS SOME OVERLAPPING. LACK OF COMMAND OVER LOCAL LANGUAGE IS BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL PITFALL.
PERSONAL PITFALLS
Poor personal hygiene dressing indecent manners
language actions gesture and habits (paan chewing, smoking) are examples of personal
pitfalls.
PROFESSIONAL PITFALLS
*Acceptance or rejection of patients opinion
(unchecked) * Not being thorough (detailed) in history and physical examination *
Not interpreting the findings according to the age of the child and illness *Not
starting the treatment at all before seeing the results of investigations * Either no
reliance or undue reliance on investigations * Not giving symptomatic treatment or giving
symptomatic treatment only * Advising inappropriate drugs (not recommended for children),
dose or frequency * Temptation to use costly and newly marketed drugs or use of low
quality drugs * Not considering the possibility of iatrogenic illness ( disease
caused by medical intervention- procedures or treatment ) * undue restriction of various
food items specially during illness * Not considering that two different illnesses
or processes may coexist.
INTER-PERSONAL PITFALLS
*Lack of command over local language *exhibition
of hurry inattentiveness poor confidence (repetition of questions and not answering the
patients queries reflect these) *rough behavior * showing no concern at all or showing
personal concern.
NOT EXPLAINING THE PLAN AT ALL OR IN SIMPLE
UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE FOR
Yielding unduly to the demands of the patients specially regarding medical certificates and economic matters is also a pitfall