○○ハラスメントに関して、今回は、ドクハラ（ドクターハラスメント）についてお話します。
ドクターハラスメントとは、医師や医療従事者が患者に対して行う嫌がらせのことです。医師や医療従事者は、患者に対して専門的な知識を持っているため、患者は彼らに対して信頼を寄せています。しかし、その信頼関係を裏切るような行為があると、患者は深い傷を負ってしまいます。
患者さんは、病気になったら、とても心細いものです。
なんで、病気になったのでしょうか？の質問に対して
医師から
「病気になったのは、あなたの日頃の行いのせいです」と言われるのはつらいですね。
さらに、痛みの伴う検査や手術を受けるには、相当な勇気が必要です。
その時に、ためらっていると
「検査や手術は合併症があります。嫌なら受けなくても良いです」
などの、心無いことを言われると、とても傷ついてしまいますね。
さらには、高齢であったときに
「９0歳まで長生きして、まだ本当に治療を望んでますか？」などと言われようものなら、心折れてしまいますね。
そして、がんの告知に加えて、その原因について
「がんの発見が遅かったのは、あなたが検診を受けていなかったからです」と言われると、とても辛い思いをしますね。
このように、脅しや高齢者の差別、がんの告知で落ち込ませるのはやめて欲しいですね。 医療においては、多忙であるため、十分な説明がされないと良く聞かれると思いますが、心無い対応だけはやめて欲しいものです。人間どうし、思いやりのある対応を望みたいです。
もし、ドクハラを受けてしまったら医療安全支援センターというのがあります。
医療法第6条の13の規定に基づき、都道府県や保健所を設置する市・特別区に設置されている医療に関する苦情・心配や相談を受け付けている窓口です。
病院とは別の機関のため、中立の立場で相談に乗ってもらうことができるので、もし、困ったときは相談してみましょう。
English presentation about 7th type of Doctor harasment by Bing:
Regarding harassment, this time I will talk about “Doc-harassment” (Doctor harassment). Doc-harassment is the harassment that doctors and medical professionals inflict on patients. Patients trust them because doctors and medical professionals have specialized knowledge about patients. However, if there are actions that betray that trust, patients will be deeply hurt. Heartless people exist in every field.
According to Dr. Shigehiro Tsuchiya, a surgeon from Fukushima Prefecture, there are seven types of Doc-harassment doctors, which I will show you with some modifications.
- Type of disqualification of a doctor
Aims to hurt the patient’s heart and make them powerless and isolated.
“You got sick because of your daily behavior.”
Treats patients as “samples” or “data.”
Says things like “If you don’t trust me, go somewhere else” or yells inappropriately.
Treats them as incompetent by saying things like “Don’t you understand what I’m saying?” or “Don’t you want to improve?” and eventually stops examining them and cancels their next visit to the hospital.
- Mismatch type
Says inappropriate things without understanding the patient’s situation. This type hurts patients unknowingly.
“You would have died if it were in the past. You’re lucky.”
- Threat type
Uses the difference in knowledge as a shield to threaten and force compliance with treatment. Doctors who lack confidence in their own diagnosis tend to use threats.
“You won’t get better without tests or treatment. If you don’t like it, go to another hospital.”
“There are complications with tests and surgery. You don’t have to take them if you don’t want to.”
- Zenigeba type
Prioritizes the hospital’s profits over the patient’s treatment and recovery.
Recommends unnecessary surgery or treatment by making it look like unnecessary tests or expensive insurance treatments are essential. They do not explain anything and force it (they neglect the “doctor’s obligation to provide appropriate explanations” based on the Medical Practitioners Act). They prescribe large amounts of medication without any explanation. They prescribe unnecessary medication.
- Child and weak bullying type
Directs it towards children themselves or towards parents during child treatment.
Frightens children who have no appetite by saying things like “You’ll die if you don’t eat.”
- Discrimination against the elderly
“You’re 90 years old and lived a long life, so it’s your lifespan.” “Are you really looking for treatment now that you’re old?”
- Notification type
Pushes patients or their families into despair.
Says things like “The reason for the late discovery of cancer is because you didn’t have a checkup.”
“Since it’s cancer, I don’t know how many years you’ll live.”
“Cancer chemotherapy may or may not work,” etc., coldly announcing the limits of cancer notification and its treatment.
These are not all of them, but it becomes easier to understand when you apply everything to a type. All types cause very painful feelings for patients.
In particular, please refrain from threatening, discriminating against elderly people, or making them depressed by notifying them of cancer.
What should I do if I receive Doc-harassment?
There is a Medical Safety Support Center.
It is a contact point that accepts complaints, worries, and consultations related to medical care based on Article 6-13 of the Medical Care Act, established in prefectures and cities/wards that set up public health centers.
Since it is a separate organization from hospitals, they can provide consultation from a neutral standpoint. If you are in trouble, please consult with them.