INTERNSHIP DIARIES #2 - SURGEON ON TRIAL - READER'S REVIEW

There is always something that nudges you to stay on track especially when your general outlook towards your profession hits a low. You're tired of the night shifts, you've had enough of the bystanders accusing you for no mistake of yours, you've started hating the choice of profession - what's more, you've started to despise your existence. I was in such a situation 6 months back - depressed and lethargic, waiting for the shift to end - when my grandfather, a retired scientist (ISRO) and an avid reader of science and philosophy, gifted me a book - Surgeon on Trial, by one of his dear friends Dr. K E Mathew MD, FACS, an ECFMG-certified general surgeon. I would like to tell you more about this work of literature that helped me improve the outlook towards my chosen field of medicine.

In this short treatise, Dr. Mathew summarises the intense agony that medical malpractice claims can cause to the physician and his family. American law is very rigid and constructed in such a manner that it is almost impossible for the physician to find sufficient loopholes to circumvent his pitfalls during practice. Through his book, Dr. Mathew attempts to address this liability crisis in medical practice.

Longstanding physician-patient relationship is cornerstone to lowering the incidence of medical liability cases. Hence, the author notes that primary care physicians are less subjected to malpractice claims than emergency care physicians, due to the stark differences in the average time spent per patient.

The first malpractice claim against Dr. Mathew was raised by a patient he least expected - he was the grandfather of the boy he took care of at the time of a road traffic accident - to quote the author, "every malpractice claim hurts, but when it comes from someone you least expected to turn against you, it hurts more." Now, malpractice insurance is an entity that, to an extent, protects the physician from further untoward happenings. Wherein the case will be reviewed by a panel of expert physicians of the concerned specialty and after a discussion, would be forwarded to the court, if the physician accused is found to be guilty of malpractice.

But of course, the worst was yet to come - Ms. Black, a young woman, was diagnosed to have gallstones and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder). She was sent to Dr. Mathew for a second opinion - she was suggested laparoscopic gall bladder surgery. The surgery was a complicated one, given the abundant scar tissue as a result of recurrent inflammation and previous surgeries. During the surgery, the artery supplying the gall bladder was cut, but it was brought under control using clips. She was discharged on the same day, but reported to the ER the very next day, with complaints of chest pain and breathlessness. She was sent home the following day. Ms. Black was readmitted a month later, as she had developed jaundice and had to be transferred to another hospital for gastroenterology consult, post a failed attempt at ERCP at the hospital where the author worked.

This medical malpractice claim went up to the court, and the plaintiff's attorney made mincemeat of Dr. Mathew - but, the defendant's attorney stated, "this can happen to the best surgeon on his best day." The plaintiff attorney summarised the case as "the experienced truck driver in a wreck at a red light." The truck driver was the prime accused, Dr. Mathew, and he had demolished Ms. Black's vehicle - and he had to pay the damages, pleaded the prosecutor. However, the jury cleared Dr. Mathew of all allegations, much to the dismay of the prosecution.

Divine interventions happen at times least expected, and when all hopes have tarnished. The message I imbibed from reading this book was priceless, and I tell you, my dear reader, that Surgeon On Trial is that singular element in my internship year that, to this day, has helped me steer clear of all negativities that professional life has hurled at me.

I would like to quote Dr. Mathew,

"I often think of the motto displayed on the large sign at the entrance to the Tenwek Mission Hospital in Kenya, which reads, "WE TREAT, JESUS HEALS."

Grab your copy of Surgeon On Trial on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Surgeon-Trial-Mathew-Facs-MD/dp/B0BPWRNJHL

Happy reading!