PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2059, 20 April 1907, Page 4

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE

WHAT IS IT? At the meeting of the Hospita Trustees last night tho Chairman said that a day or two previously Dr. Collins had approached him and laid'before him the following correspondence :

Gisborne, 17th April, 1907. To the Medical Superintendent, Gisborne Hospital. Dear Sir, I understand you admitted on an order from me into the Hospital, a patient of mine nariied Foster, who submitted himself to an operation for radical cure of hernia on my advice.

I shall feel obliged if you will inform mo at your earliest convenience, the date on which the operation on him was undertaken, also whether you have any objection to my paying him a friendly visit as I take considerable interest in his condition. An early answer will oblige. Yours faithfully, JAMES C. COLLINS. Gisborne, 15/4/07. Dr. Collins. Dear Sir, — Mr Foster was operated on a few days ago, but is making a tedious convalescence. I regret I cannot accede to your request to be allowed to visit patients under my care. Such a request is most unusual, and perfectly contrary to professional etiquette. Yours faithfully, DAVID MORRISON. Gisborne, April 17th, 1907. To the Chairman, Hospital Board, Gisborne. Sir, — I have the honor to enclose copies of correspondence which will explain to you the fact, that I, and possibly other medical practitioners, are bailed from visiting cases sent by them to tho Hospital unprofessionally. The rule elsewhere is a medical man sending a case to the hospital for operation may be present at the operation if he so desires, or visit at any time thereafter in an unprofessional capacity (on application to the I Medical Superintendent), or profes- J sionally if so requested by the Mc.di-J

cal Superintendent. This rule pparontly is not to bo observed in tho local Hospital, and I desire to know if this course has your approval.

1 may add, however, in this ease I had no intention to interfere with tho patient's treatment in tho Ilj‘pital unless I had very strong reasons for so doing. I. have tho honor to be, Your obedient servant, JAMES C. COLLINS.

The Chairman said he told Dr. Collins that the matter was one more for Lite Trustees as a body than for himself personally. Ho had requested Dr. Morrison to attend that meeting so that ho might make any observations ho desired, though ho (tho speaker) did not see that any were necessary. Mr. Matthews said l)r. Collins could see patients on ordinary visiting days. The Chairman : Yes if the patient wishes to see him. To Dr. Morrison : Do you want to say anything? Dr. Morrison: Tho least said the hotter. Ho certainly did not want medical men visiting patients under his care.

Mr. Kenway said it had always been the rule to allow the Medical Superintendent a free hand in the matter.

Mr. Harding said he had gone along with Dr. Morrison to visit the patient. He had a friendly cliat '.\ ith him and he said bo was quite satisfied with the treatment, and did not want another doctor.

The Chairman said he had made enquiries from the patient ,the muse, and tho. Matron. He found that the man was quite satisfied and that his condition was not unusual . Mr. Ivon way said the Trustees should be quite satisfied with Dr. Morrison’s explanation. Mr. Matthews said that if tho door wore opened for that kind of thing there would ho no end of it. Dr. Morrison said it would be as well if tlio Trustees made a definite rule on the mater.

It was pointed out that the bylaws covered the niattor, and the subject dropped.