In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
No, Jel, you have the problem. I have a great deal of time for patient
confidentiality, but there has to be a sensible limit.
Every case report in every journal can be traced, without too much
difficulty, to an individual. I submitted a case report of a highly
unusual larval infestation of a patient's face. I was named, as was my
institution, at the start of the article. It would have taken very little
searching by someone determined on the task to find that patient's
identity. A (very good) book has been written about the Kegworth air
disaster; precise time, precise date known, and it lists in detail the
injuries suffered by people in certain seats. Go to the notes and you will
readily identify these people.
I wrote that spoof to show that there is a /reductio ad absurdem/ that can
sum up the state we now find ourselves in. Both you and Andy have bristled
- why?
I think that you have both adopted an attitude that is so holier than thou
that actually I find it a touch offensive, to be honest. I posted the
patient details originally to gain some interesting insights into the way
other people might manage it. We are curious creatures in accident and
emergency; we practice alone (or nearly so) and often suffer other
colleagues' criticisms (colleagues within our own hospitals, that is to
say, although I honestly didn't know the right answer here) based,
frankly, on out of date paradigms. So we talk to each other for a reality
check, if you like. Exactly the same as the journals.
As it happens, I copied the posting to another group I belong to, composed
mainly of American trauma surgeons. They were interested, interesting, and
told me a great deal about how they would manage a similar case. Nobody
has berated me for blowing someone's cover.
Best wishes,
Rowley Cottingham
[log in to unmask]
Look, it's easy. Does your proposal help my patient? If it does, then I
shall embrace it with all my heart. If it does not, go away and find
another proposal.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|