The field of medicine is fraught filled with stories of negligence and sub standard care. The “Kisah Benars” of near misses and actual cases of adverse outcomes and even deaths have sent a steely shiver along the spine. This is never, more true, than in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Each and everyone one of us has been on the “other” side at one time or another whenever something unpleasant happens in our line of duty.
We have seen the entire machinery of institutions gunning all their resources to prove that we have failed to perform adequately. All efforts are made to placate the “victim”, to damage control and settle the issues. A fair presentation of the alleged perpetrator, i.e. the medical staff is a rarity.
The long and tedious journey, which is on many an occasion a lonely one is addressed in this talk. The social and professional isolation that follows is akin to a life sentence. How to identify the suffering 2nd victim and to assist them to recover and heal is discussed.
Institutions and systems can evolve to begin to play a more positive role in helping these “victims” to return to the fold of their professional life with as little harm done.