Question

A medical assistant calls in her patient, an African American transgendered woman (in her late 40s) to take a patient history, blood pressure, weight, and other vitals before she sees the physician. The assumption is that she is of middle class economic status. The medical assistant notes in her history that she is in the process of transitioning from male to female and questions the patient’s religious beliefs in relation to her decisions. The patient becomes agitated and expresses to the medical assistant that this is none of her business. The patient replies that she is here only for her annual physical. The medical assistant proceeds with preparing the patient for the physician. The medical assistant notes the woman has extremely long, thick hair in a style known as locks. As the patient stands on the scale, the medical assistant asks her how much she believes she would weigh without her hair. The patient is rather surprised and responds by stating that she doesn’t understand the question. She looks at the medical assistant, who has short blonde hair and asks, “Do you mean if my hair was short? I don’t understand your question.” “No, the medical assistant replies, “I mean if you remove your hair.” The patient became quite offended because her hair is her own and cannot be removed. She tells the medical assistant that her question was inappropriate and inaccurate and asks if she could just record her weight and move on to the blood pressure. The medical assistant looks at her with trepidation, still suspicious about her hair, and asks the patient to roll up her sleeves, so she can apply the blood pressure cuff. The patient is visibly offended, based on her expression, but receives no apology from the assistant. After completing the blood pressure check, the medical assistant tells the patient her blood pressure is very high. “You may want to consider cutting out soul food.” The patient replies curtly, “I am a vegetarian, and I don’t eat soul food.” The medical assistant leaves curtly, indicating that the doctor will be right in to proceed with the exam. The patient seriously considers leaving as she waits for the doctor because she has been so offended.

If you were the office manager or physician, evaluate this medical assistant against a “code of conduct.” Create an office policy statement to guide cultural sensitivity training of all staff to ensure the quality of care. The policy statement should be at least six paragraphs of methods and affective behaviors that should be exhibited by all staff as it applies to this case study and your research.

Answer 1

Solution:

The Code of Conduct is a set of standard attitude towards the patient expected from healthcare support workers. It is the outlines of behaviour that has to be maintained for providing safe practicing, care and support in healthcare setting.

The code of conduct for paramedical staffs includes

1. Provide effective healthcare support without observing any other social or cultural integrity:

To provide services based on patient’s need with utmost care, compassion and respect for maintaining the dignity of the patient. The policy must be unrestricted by consideration of nationality, religion, creed, color, race, socioeconomic status.

In the present case study the assistant enquired about the religious belief, herein he directly violates the code of ethics in the healthcare setting.

2. Maintaining the confidentiality of the patient

The confidentiality of the patient related to the social, cultural and healthcare related matter must be maintained. All the healthcare related information must be kept in a private database and cannot be disclose unless there are some requirement on the ground of legal aspect.

3. Using the social media in a professional and responsible manner

Social media should be use in an ethical manner without disclosing any confidential information related to the organization, co-workers, other health care practitioners, community or patients at large.

4. Upholding the standards of professional etiquette and education

Assume the standard of professional actions as and when required to deal with the specific patients accordingly. Herewith the judgement must be based on the professional integrity and without biasness towards the patients for delivering effective treatment.

5. Maintaing the legislation and regulation

All the matters need to be monitored and deals with legally any violation of the must be under the purview of the legislation accordingly. Further the duty of the healthcare professionals must include the quality service towards the effective treatment in healthcare setting.

6. Avoid unethical procedures or medical intervention

All the unethical procedures or medical intervention must be avoided and professional incompetence must be looked after towards smooth and effective delivery of services to the society.

This above mentioned parameters needs to be included in the code of ethics of the healthcare paramedics or officials and all the employees must be adhered to the guidelines strictly to provide the best healthcare service to the patient.