What would you have done? “My mind raced. Should I try to break his grip on my neck? Hit him in the gut? Aim lower, hitting him in the crotch out of desperate self-preservation? As a primary care physician, I had an arsenal of weapons to fight disease, but in the face of physical aggression, I was helpless . . .
. . . ‘So now you understand the position I was in, and why I did what I did.’ The way he pointed his finger at me still seemed threatening, but the redness in his face was fading and the beginnings of a smile crossed his lips. ‘And why I need you to give me more Percocets, given the shape I’m in after what I’ve been through.’”
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{ 4 comments }
Just because the patient broke off his attack and smiled doesn’t mean he didn’t commit assault and battery against this doctor. And because he demanded narcotics doesn’t mean the encounter was “clinical”; he obtained the prescription under demonstrated threat of grevious bodily harm “so you see why . . . . ” I see clearly that this was a strong-arm robbery, a felony, and a felonious assault.
The doctor should have immediately called the police as soon as the patient left the room.
Hastily, I wrote a script for a few Percocets, then folded the sheet in half. With luck, he wouldn’t notice how few I’d prescribed until he left my exam room.
Or…”I’ll need to get my prescription pad. Hang on, I’ll be right back.” Then leave the room, nail the door shut, call the police, and have him arrested. Why let someone like this continue to enjoy freedom?
This was a crime, an assault and a robbery. This so-called “patient” is also a criminal who robbed and assaulted his doctor during his appointment. He belongs in jail.
The doctor did not say what he did afterwards. He implies nothing at all.
If so, he rewarded an assault with drugs, and then allowed the patient to get away with it by not taking immediate action to hold him accountable once the immediate danger passed.
If so, he is partially responsible for this problem.
The patient should have been arrested and prosecuted for assault and battery.
The patient should also be denied care at that or any other VA clinic. This is not in control of this doctor, but he does have control over whether HE will ever see this patient again–and he is an absolute fool if he does. No matter what his supervisor says.
I made an absolute zero tolerance policy for a clinic that I ran in a staff model HMO. There was squawking that we couldn’t do that, that the HMO contract required we provide care etc. I stood my ground and won. No contract, no law, no ones expectations trump personal safety–ever. There are no second chances on this issue with anyone on my turf.
Which brings up the question: what was he doing being seen in the clinic if he had already shown himself and had a “behavioral warning” on the computer. What good it that? Unless there is some ACTION. Either guards are notified and accompany him everywhere or he is banned from the clinic.
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