Rethinking ward rounds

doi:10.1136/bmj.b879

Published 4 March 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b879
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b879

Observations

Ethics Man

Rethinking ward rounds

Daniel K Sokol, lecturer in medical ethics and law, St George’s, University of London

daniel.sokol@talk21.com

If you were a patient, would you prefer your medical team touse an ethics checklist?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

It’s the morning round in the hospital. In a dreary voicethe doctor presents the patient, a 43 year old man with fever,chills, and a productive cough. He has a new diagnosis of HIVinfection. He is married and has a girlfriend. The two bioethicistsin the room, hitherto lulled by the long list of treatments,stir uncomfortably in their seats: there may be problems afoot.Do the wife and girlfriend know about each other? Can the teamdistinguish one from the other? Does the patient want to sharethe diagnosis with either? Should they be told of their likelyexposure to HIV, even without the patient’s consent?

The purpose of oral presentations in rounds is to tell the patient’sstory. It is primarily a medical story, which may start beforethe patient’s birth (if genetics are relevant) and extendto the future. The narrative helps the healthcare team . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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D. Sokol knows what his answer would be but it's not the same as mine: Luke Roberts
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Sokols' Stamp: David R Warriner
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Better understanding of the purpose of the checklist: Nneka O Mokwunye
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Re: Sokols' Stamp: David R Warriner
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Author's response: Daniel K Sokol
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need to 'get ethics': Angela Fenwick, et al.
bmj.com, 10 Mar 2009 [Full text]
Mostly Capacity Act requirements, not ethics: Nick J Woodhead
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RN's and Ethics: Caron E. Lumpkin
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Point form and checklists: Phillip J. Colquitt
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