Since you graduated from medical school you have been bombarded with people asking you about their possible medical problems. When you went home for a weekend to escape from the hospital, your brother-in-law asks you to give him some advice on his hay fever. You felt able to do this so you made some suggestions. […]
Evangeline is a 22-year-old ballet dancer who has been involved in a road traffic accident. She is confirmed dead at the scene by the paramedics. What is the role of the coroner? When should deaths be referred to the coroner? How do you refer to the coroner? Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical […]
Hi, my name is Sophie. I am 46 years old and a married mother of two lovely boys, Jake and Josh. Two years ago I developed renal failure after suffering from meningitis. I am very fortunate that the doctors and nurses managed to save my life, but unfortunately my kidneys did not recover and I […]
Claire is a healthcare assistant (HCA) on the cardiology ward. She is approached by a member of the occupational health team who asks if she would like to have her annual winter flu immunization, stating that ‘all the other staff are having it’ and that she will get a ‘flu fighter’ badge if she does. […]
Sophie’s first child, Alfie, is 3 months old. She had an easy pregnancy and uncomplicated birth. Alfie is happy and thriving. Sophie regularly takes him to meet with other mums from her antenatal group. A few of those mothers have said that they are not going to take their children to the GP to have […]
The NHS Breast Screening Program (NHSBSP) has invited Margie, age 71, and Pam, age 52, for screening at their local hospitals. Neither woman has a family history of breast cancer nor have they noticed anything unusual about their breasts. They have not spoken to their GPs about the screening program and wonder if they have […]
While you are working in Accident and Emergency (A&E) on a Sunday afternoon you are asked to see Naomi, a 15-year-old ‘regular attendee’. No one else wants to see her. Naomi is very subdued and has a deep cut along the top of her thigh. Her legs and arms are crisscrossed with scars. She asks […]
Simon, a 27-year-old man with schizophrenia, is admitted with severe psychosis which is manifested by auditory hallucinations telling him to harm himself. He has refused antipsychotic medication in the community and has been sectioned for treatment of his mental disorder under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act (MHA). During his admission he develops pneumonia, […]
You are doing a home visit with the hospice nurse to a patient, Rosa, who has advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer. You have been asked to visit with the hospice nurse to provide support to the patient whilst difficult decisions are discussed. You are aware that the patient has recently refused to see both the gastroenterology […]
You are an FY2 doctor on your 4-month cardiology rotation. You are coming to the end of a long day shift on the ward. One of your patients, Taz, is a diabetic suffering from heart failure. As listed on the drug chart, you give Taz his evening dose of insulin, but you forget to record […]
Camille M. Renella, RN, CME, LNC
Clinical Medical Ethicist/Legal Nurse Consultant
Institute of Medicine Chicago (IOMC) Fellow
Executive Director