What If
What if you realized that your neighbor is a patient at your practicum site. You see her chart and are wondering why she always looks so tired all of the time. The chart is right there and no one is watching……………………………….
Having access to confidential files does not mean that you have permission to view them. Ethical behavior means avoiding the temptation to “sneak a peek” at the information that does not pertain to you or your work. Never read a patient’s medical record unless it is part of your job and never divulge information about a patient’s medical status to the patient’s family members, clergy or other visitors without the patient’s permission. Private information is made available or shared only on a “need to know” basis.
What if during your practicum a patient mentions that he would prefer that no one other than his physician be in the room during his medical procedure. It is a procedure that you have never seen before and you would like to observe. The patient will be under the influence of medication and probably won’t remember what happened during the procedure………………………………..
Your site will have policies and procedures outlining what you may or may not do. Depending on the profession and the site this may be include getting permission from each patient before you are allowed to observe or participate in a procedure. Some patients are comfortable with the idea of having a student present and others may not be comfortable. Patients do have the right to decide if they want to allow this. You as a student also have the right to observe and participate in procedures related to your educational experience but the patient must consent for you to observe. Students will be expected to comply with the patient’s wishes. There will be sufficient number of patients who are willing to allow student involvement to ensure that the educational goals are met.
What if you are short on money and need some antibiotics for your
Having access to confidential files does not mean that you have permission to view them. Ethical behavior means avoiding the temptation to “sneak a peek” at the information that does not pertain to you or your work. Never read a patient’s medical record unless it is part of your job and never divulge information about a patient’s medical status to the patient’s family members, clergy or other visitors without the patient’s permission. Private information is made available or shared only on a “need to know” basis.
What if during your practicum a patient mentions that he would prefer that no one other than his physician be in the room during his medical procedure. It is a procedure that you have never seen before and you would like to observe. The patient will be under the influence of medication and probably won’t remember what happened during the procedure………………………………..
Your site will have policies and procedures outlining what you may or may not do. Depending on the profession and the site this may be include getting permission from each patient before you are allowed to observe or participate in a procedure. Some patients are comfortable with the idea of having a student present and others may not be comfortable. Patients do have the right to decide if they want to allow this. You as a student also have the right to observe and participate in procedures related to your educational experience but the patient must consent for you to observe. Students will be expected to comply with the patient’s wishes. There will be sufficient number of patients who are willing to allow student involvement to ensure that the educational goals are met.
What if you are short on money and need some antibiotics for your