Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You perform the treatment without having the caregiver present.
You think to yourself, "I have done my best to make my position clear to the caregivers. I have also informed the physician about the need for caregiver help. My patient is here and waiting. I might as well do the first treatment today, and I will report the problem to the doctor afterwards."
As you suspected he might be, the young man is frightened and embarrassed. He does not trust you and he does not feel safe allowing you to touch him. He jumps up from the table and refuses to let you touch him. "No! Stay away from me," he yells.
There is no way you can complete the treatment. You call the caregiver and tell them what has happened. Then you make your report to the physician. The physician is surprised that you proceeded with the treatment without a caregiver present. She questions why you didn't follow through with your initial plan. You get the feeling that she doubts your competence. You wonder if she will refer any more patients to you now.
The caregivers bring the young man for another treatment and this time they agree to stay. However, the young man remembers what happened before, and he is very nervous. It will take a long while before you will be able to establish a good relationship with your patient.
You wish that you had not attempted to do the treatment alone.
"If a person has had undergraduate training, they will have received training in ethical boundaries," says therapist Robert Harris. "For example, a patient must be draped in an appropriate fashion. Dignity must be respected when working with patients."