Thread: Doctor penalised for failing to assist after car crash

Totally unreasonable sanction on the medico.

Every basic life support course starts with an acronym along the lines of DRABC, the first letter D = danger, it was a dark dangerous place, the vehicle that nearly ran her off the road may have been an attempt to abduct her or something. R = Respond, it is important to get professional responders "with equipment" on the way, the medico didn't have a phone so went to the Police.

It is why very few medicos now have their cars plated with the Maltese Cross and snake device.

Agreed, every First aid course I've done makes the point that your safety is more important than being a hero and that being first aid qualified is not a compulsion to assist.
Who'd a thunk that the AMA was out of touch......

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Tote

Agreed, every First aid course I've done makes the point that your safety is more important than being a hero and that being first aid qualified is not a compulsion to assist.
Who'd a thunk that the AMA was out of touch......

Regards,
Tote

It was the Medical Board of W.A., a Government controlled office, but now replaced by a National Medical Board under AHPRA (also Government).

One wonders however, if there's any other information that we're not being told?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

One wonders however, if there's any other information that we're not being told?

Almost a certainty given the new source in this case. Why bother with the facts etc...

Doctors aren't first aiders- they are medical professionals. I would expect that they are required to render aid.
I'm not sure Australian doctors swear the "Hypocratic Oath"at all but if they do and break it they are malpracticing their profession and should be held accountable.

It might be argued that they were caring for their own life by not providing assistance but it seems craven to me.

Rendering aid at the possible risk to one's self seems like an admirable and virtuous thing- an opportunity to learn courage that not everyone gets.

But, I grew up on Tolkien and Star Trek so what would I know...

Ive worked with a lot of radiologists in my time...
I would not want a radiologist doing first aid on me !

Just saying

s

This medico was a radiologist, an expert at looking at X-Ray images. She may not have "treated" a patient physically in years and in her practice she is used to operating machines plus having paramedical staff and nurses "treat" and manipulate the patient.

A trained and current first aider would likely be better able to manage the first aid situation until professional first responders arrived.

If the medico was an emergency physician or intensivist or even a GP, my opinion would likely be different.

Roebourne.......I probably can't say too much about it without getting into trouble, but it's waaaay up north in WA and at the time of the incident, WAS known for its alcohol and violence issues.
Think location.......understand the population and environment....

I don't blame any woman for doing what she did, regardless of occupation. I think she did exactly the right thing.

Cheers
Kev