Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You tell her that the test looks good and it looks like she has nothing to worry about.
Margaret Corbett certainly agrees that the doctor should provide the patient with the information. But each patient and situation is different. You must use your best judgment. In the case above, given the circumstances, Corbett chose to look at the patient and say, "Don't worry."
"If a physician is close by, sometimes you will find them and get them to interpret the results," says Corbett. "Ultimately it is your judgment call should you decide to tell someone, and you could get into trouble."
Corbett says whether you relieve a person's stress and tell them not to worry could depend on several factors. The most important one is your relationship with the attending physician. If you have worked with the doctor for many years and he trusts your judgment, your decision to tell will probably be easier.
Also, whether you work in a clinic or hospital has some bearing on the decision. In a hospital, you can usually find a doctor to interpret the results for you if the patient is extremely worried.
In the reverse situation, if something was very wrong with the patient's heart and it is Saturday, you don't just let the patient go home and wait for results until Monday. You find a doctor right away, says Corbett.