Patient Before Doctor
By CHRISTINE CUNANAN-NOMURA
|
|
2001年1月26日付論説
昨年は、医療ミス関連のニュースが多かった。
患者に対して医師や看護婦の数が
足りないことも原因だと思うが
自分の身を守るためには
厳しい目で医者を選ぶことも大事だろう。
|
In recent years, several cases of medical malpractice
in Japan have come to light. These include the death of
an elderly housewife who was mistakenly fed antiseptic
through an IV drip and a baby who had to have five
fingers amputated after doctors had over-prescribed
antibiotics for him.
Of course, such cases can occur anywhere, even in the
world's best hospitals. However, as a foreign observer
and a long time Tokyo resident, I am constantly reminded
of two things whenever I hear of such cases in Japan:
one, the numerous misdiagnoses I keep hearing of; and
two, the large gap between Japanese doctors and patients
that prompts patients and their families to
unquestioningly bestow full authority on their doctors.
In terms of medical equipment and resources, Japan
is of course among the top countries in the world.
However, many people who have had medical treatment in
other First World countries — including myself — are
flabbergasted at the frequent inaccuracy of medical
diagnoses in Japan.
For instance, over the 10 years I have been in Japan,
I have heard of many cases of foreigners being
misdiagnosed or mistreated in Japan and who have had to
seek medical treatment in other countries instead.
On a recent trip to the United States, in fact, I met
an American acquaintance at the airport lounge who was
flying to San Francisco and then on to Stanford (which is
the location of one of the best hospitals in the world)
to be with his wife who was going to be operated on
shortly. His wife had decided to have a relatively
simple operation done in a well-known central Tokyo
hospital and this hospital had botched up the
operation, forcing her to get help in the States.
Why do cases like these happen?
There may be many reasons, including the overcrowding
of Japanese hospitals and hard working conditions for
hospital staff. However, I also believe that the
arrogant attitude of some doctors is also partly
responsible. I believe that these doctors have become so
used to dealing with docile patients and families and to
the absence of a checking or questioning system that
they have grown less concerned about their patients.
In many other countries, doctors are regarded as
profession
als who are paid for their services, while patients think
of themselves as consumers who are entitled to as much
information as possible about their doctors and about
themselves. Patients and their families believe they have
the right to question and to ultimately decide the
treatment to be applied based on cost, degree of
pain, chance of success and personal preference.
Furthermore, if a patient has any doubts about the
diagnoses given, he or she will first get a second, third
or even fourth opinion. It is also standard to receive
the complete results of one's tests and to be able to
bring these home for reference in case one needs to see
another doctor or visit another hospital.
It is important for Japanese patients to be more
pro-active about their own health by getting
information and discussing options with doctors instead
of just passively receiving whatever treatment is
prescribed. After all, it is you who will have to
undergo the treatment and help yourself recover, and it
is also you who will have to pay for it as well.
Shukan ST: Jan. 26, 2001
(C) All rights reserved
|