Question

Under which of the following circumstances would it be appropriate to advocate (to speak up for) the patient?

a) The patient is being scheduled for a routine eye exam. He had hoped for an appointment next week; the receptionist says that the first available appointment is three months away.


b) The patient, a one-year old baby with severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever has been waiting in the emergency room for one hour. The mother is not sure whether she should complain or not.


c) The patient has asked the doctor for a particular medication; the doctor assures her that the one he has prescribed is better.


d) You have just interpreted for a patient, and the doctor has requested a follow-up appointment for next week. The patient is given an appointment at a time when you are not available.

Answer 1

Advocating for a patient is most critical when immediate and serious health risks are present, as in the case of a one-year-old baby with severe symptoms waiting in the emergency room.

Step-by-step explanation:

It would be appropriate to advocate for a patient under a few different circumstances. However, given the scenarios, it's most important to advocate for the patient when the health risks and urgency are highest. In situation (a), the lack of immediacy for a routine eye exam doesn't demand immediate advocacy unless there are underlying health concerns not mentioned. Scenario (c) involves clinical judgment where the doctor's expertise in prescribing medications should typically be trusted. In contrast, situation (d) involves scheduling that can be adjusted and doesn't necessarily reflect a patient care concern.

Scenario (b) is particularly concerning as a one-year-old baby with severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever can quickly deteriorate, and thus this situation may require advocacy due to the potential for serious health consequences. Communicating with the emergency room staff to stress the urgency might expedite care and is an appropriate response. When to advocate for antibiotic use is a more complex matter involving considerations of both individual patient needs and the broad implications of antibiotic resistance.