Anything to do about it?

[WheezyBaby]

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I cared for an elderly patient toward the end of life who had a couple family members, one a physician and the other not. There was significant conflict between the family members, in particular with regard to some emotionally charged goals of care discussions, which led to some hostility with our care team, though that was more or less limited to the nonphysician relative. I've recently learned the physician relative is heavily involved in resident education in a required rotation I have scheduled this year. I don't anticipate animosity from that individual, I'm more so unsure of how in general they'll process supervising me. I also have some unpleasant associations with the family, but nothing I feel would impair my own ability to work with that staff. Worth chatting with somebody (chief?) about, or just kind of let it ride and see what happens? I don't think there'd be a way to discuss it that would be protective of patient/family privacy

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

I have a feeling you already know what I'd suggest doing...but just in case: make sure you take steps to protect yourself or you may see yourself go the way of
the battered resident found in another thread in this forum.

 

[Keona]

I would discuss it with the chiefs and maybe pd if it were me and see if it's feasible to arrange schedule so you aren't being directly supervised by that person. If it's not you've told them about the situation ahead of time. It sounds like it'll be fine but if it isn't it's better to have already discussed it.

 

[J ROD]

Be proactive and not reactive........CYA always!

 

[WheezyBaby]

Thanks friends, I'll chat with chief

 

[Winged Scapula]

I have a feeling you already know what I'd suggest doing...

So you'd suggest seeing an attorney? I'm not sure why that would be necessary.

...but just in case: make sure you take steps to protect yourself or you may see yourself go the way of the battered resident found in another thread in this forum.

The OP has clearly stated that the attending never questioned their management and he didn't expect any trouble/issues from them. I can understand his concerns (and its appropriate to discuss with the Chief) and the need to protect oneself, but to assume everyone is out to get you must be a miserable way to live. I don't see any indication that the OP is worried about being battered or even failing the rotation.

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

So you'd suggest seeing an attorney? I'm not sure why that would be necessary.

The OP has clearly stated that the attending never questioned their management and he didn't expect any trouble/issues from them. I can understand his concerns (and its appropriate to discuss with the Chief) and the need to protect oneself, but to assume everyone is out to get you must be a miserable way to live. I don't see any indication that the OP is worried about being battered or even failing the rotation.

All I'm saying is it's better to go the ounce of prevention route than have to dole out tons of treatment after the fact (and possibly in vain).

That could mean an attorney, or not. It could mean assuming the worst and documenting appropriately, or not.

The OP is concerned enough to post about it and ask for our input, so to me that suggests that the thought of "retaliation" has crossed OP's mind at least once, and maybe rightly so.

There is no misery in preparing for a rainy day, but there would be tons of misery if you were stuck in the rain without a raincoat on.

There is a Norwegian proverb that reads as follows: Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own.

 

[Winged Scapula]

All I'm saying is it's better to go the ounce of prevention route than have to dole out tons of treatment after the fact.

That could mean an attorney, or not. It could mean assuming the worst and documenting appropriately, or not.

The OP is concerned enough to post about it and ask for our input, so to me that suggests that the thought of "retaliation" has crossed OP's mind at least once, and maybe rightly so.

There is no misery in preparing for a rainy day, but there would be tons of misery if you were stuck in the rain without a raincoat on.

Of course he should be prepared which is why it was appropriately recommended that he discuss this with the Chief.

I found your post unnecessarily reactionary. There is a huge difference between his situation and being physically assaulted by someone else; between his situation and being put on academic probation/fired; between talking to the Chief and an attorney.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

If you have an approachable chief, it may be worth letting him or her know exactly the level of information you've shared with us here. You cared for a family member of this attending, it was an emotionally charged time for you and perhaps for this attending too, but you don't expect it will impair your ability to behave professionally on the rotation or to be evaluated fairly. This way, you've registered your concerns ahead of time in the extremely slim chance there is a problem. I don't see what getting a lawyer involved (really?) would accomplish in this situation other than drain your pockets and antagonize your program.

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

Of course he should be prepared which is why it was appropriately recommended that he discuss this with the Chief.

I found your post unnecessarily reactionary. There is a huge difference between his situation and being physically assaulted by someone else; between his situation and being put on academic probation/fired; between talking to the Chief and an attorney.

I don't disagree with you at all about the merits of OP's issue.

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

If you have an approachable chief, it may be worth letting him or her know exactly the level of information you've shared with us here. You cared for a family member of this attending, it was an emotionally charged time for you and perhaps for this attending too, but you don't expect it will impair your ability to behave professionally on the rotation or to be evaluated fairly. This way, you've registered your concerns ahead of time in the extremely slim chance there is a problem. I don't see what getting a lawyer involved (really?) would accomplish in this situation other than drain your pockets and antagonize your program.

So to be clear, getting professional input (i.e. Protection should you need it) doesn't necessarily mean letting your program know that you have it.

Obviously you should avoid antagonizing your program (or anyone else in the world) if you don't have to. The point isn't to be an aggressor, it is simply to make sure are doing things the right way to make sure you are OK if things devolve from civil to not so civil.

 

[Gastrapathy]

There are countless minor conflicts in professional life that require problem solving. This idea that every single conflict requires paid representation is patently absurd. If this is caricature/performance art, its fine work.

 

[WheezyBaby]

If you have an approachable chief, it may be worth letting him or her know exactly the level of information you've shared with us here. You cared for a family member of this attending, it was an emotionally charged time for you and perhaps for this attending too, but you don't expect it will impair your ability to behave professionally on the rotation or to be evaluated fairly. This way, you've registered your concerns ahead of time in the extremely slim chance there is a problem. I don't see what getting a lawyer involved (really?) would accomplish in this situation other than drain your pockets and antagonize your program.

My chiefs are excellent. No concerns with bringing this up to any of them, was just seeking some external validation (or lack thereof) that it'd be appropriate to do so. Lawyer isn't anywhere in my mind.

Thanks all again, asked and answered, closing

 

[Light at end of tunnel]

There are countless minor conflicts in professional life that require problem solving. This idea that every single conflict requires paid representation is patently absurd. If this is caricature/performance art, its fine work.

For sure there are, but again the OP is concerned that their particular issue may become more than a minor conflict, or else I don't think they would be posting about it seeking input.