PETALING JAYA: While bullying at Malaysian hospitals has drawn tremendous attention of late, there are nevertheless plenty of doctors who would gently guide their juniors and inspire them to be good doctors who will serve the people conscientiously.

Shawal Mohamad is one such doctor.

‘Boss, do you remember this incident…..?’

He recently shared his experience on Facebook of a houseman who made a near fatal mistake with one of his patients.

“I called him into a room and told him his mistake. I didn’t shout at him nor refer him to psy for depression.

“As his MO, I decided that my action was enough to avert my patient from danger.”

The HO took his advice and promised to do better.

Dr Shawal then told the HO, “Bro, call me next time if not sure.

“I told him when he becomes a MO, he is going to have the same responsibility, perhaps in the same situation.”

Last year, a member of Shawal’s family was receiving treatment at a hospital, and he was reassured the family member was given excellent treatment by the specialist doctor there.

When he went to the hospital to meet the doctor, he thought the doctor looked familiar although he couldn’t quite remember his name.

The doctor told Shawal, “Boss, you may not remember me, but do you remember this incident…..?”

He then recalled it was the HO who had made a serious mistake under his supervision that was now treating his family member.

“What I know is that he is now an excellent physician, kind and caring to his patients and juniors.”

Shawal wrote that he shared the story not to show that he was a good guy, but to spread positiveness in his once honorable profession.

Never use abusive language

Dr Timothy Cheng, an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital Duchess of Kent in Sandakan, Sabah, told Sin Chew Daily doctors could only afford very narrow margin of errors, and they could not afford to make mistakes, unlike in other professions.

“A careless mistake could cost the life of a patient or bring permanent injuries to the patient.

“Doctors must strictly conform to specific standards, and punishments for making mistakes are essential.”

He feels that a verbal rebuke is sufficient for a minor mistake, but if the trainee doctor keeps making the same mistake or has attitude problem, or has negligently caused the death of a patient, then he or she must face disciplinary actions.

“From the perspectives of patients, I believe they also don’t want this kind of doctors!”

Sharing his experiences of coaching trainee doctors, Cheng said he would normally remind the HO verbally if a very slight mistake had been committed, and would only serve a warning letter for repeated violation or a letter to the superior to get the HO transferred in more serious cases.

“If they make a grave mistake, I would also tell them to write a letter to explain.

“As a supervisor, both the HO or junior doctor and I would have to bear the responsibility for any mistake he or she makes.”

He believed most doctors would treat their juniors or HO’s under their supervision professionally.

“I might raise my voice if I get angry, but I would never use abusive words.

“Some of the senior doctors have gone overboard by yelling or hurling abusive words at the HO.

“From a different angle, if you have talked nicely to him and he still keeps making the same mistake and then has his internship extended, he might think this is bullying!”

While he agreed it was normal for housemen to be reprimanded by their seniors, Cheng admitted that bullying at hospitals had to be rectified, adding that the government must improve the complaint channel and take actions against the bullies.

‘Can get angry, but never ever bully’

Rafidah Abdullah, consultant physician and nephrologist at Putrajaya Hospital, said while she might get angry with a HO, she would never resort to bullying.

“It’s a lie if I tell you I have never been angry with a HO, MO or even specialist, or that my subordinates are not afraid of me.”

She wrote on Facebook, “How could I not get mad if you give the patient wrong therapy? But trust me, I would feel equally bad if I really get angry because it means there’s deficiency in my guidance such that the mistake happens or almost happens.

“We all have our deficiencies, myself included, but in the end we can still move on without hurting our relationship.”

Rafidah admitted that she had indeed been infuriated by housemen before but would never condone bullying.

“I would do my best to bring everyone to work together in unity. There’s no division in class, only mutual respect.”

She suggested that the ministry of health take stringent actions against the bullying doctors while adopting a more transparent approach so that a complainant would not be afraid to lodge a complaint, adding that both parties had to be addressed independently, not favoring any party.