Whether installation of CCTV in the Clinic has become essential for Doctors ?

Whether installation of CCTV in the Clinic has become essential for Doctors ?

Background :
1. Well, I overheard this incidence from one of the Doctor and thought I must share with you so that you may take necessary precaution. The CCTV in Hospitals is a common thing, but the following incident will make the Private clinic runners to think over it.

2. It happened few months back. A lady patient was referred by a Physician to a Psychiatrist. There were two cabins in the clinic of the psychiatrist. In one cabin Junior Doctor was dealing with other patients and in another cabin said lady patient was sitting before the Sr. Psychiatrist. The waiting area was filled up with other patients.



3. Suddenly, the lady patient came out from the cabin and started shouting that the Sr. Doctor tried to outrage her modesty. The Doctor also came out and pleaded innocence and refuted all the allegations and vouched for his credibility and his vast experience in the field.. 

4. The Jr. Doctor who was sitting inside the abutting cabin also submitted that there were no any kind of noise he heard from the cabin of the Sr. Doctor.

5. The Sr. doctor then called the Doctor who referred the patient and he was shocked to see the response from his Colleague. 
To the much of his dismay, the referring Doctor said, Why the patient would be lying ? What are the proof of your innocence ? Did you install CCTV ?

Another Important (or Hidden) fact :- The Sr. Doctor was once requested by the said referring Doctor for issuing Mental Health certificate for her husband, which the Sr. Doctor refused to do. Between the husband of the lady also threatened the Doctor of dire consequences...



Things to ponder over :

6. From these facts, number of questions struck to my mind.. Even if we presume that the entire incidence was fake or if the Doctor was guilty or not, the fact remains as to whether CCTV now to be installed in the consulting room of Doctor.  It may not is possible in case of Doctors of all the specialties.  e.g. In case of Gynecologists or Radiologists, in checking room, certainly CCTVs cannot be installed.  At least in the main consulting room, barring the check-up cabin it should be installed. I think many of the Doctors follow a practice of having a female assistance while examining a female patient and its proper too.

7. The possibility of such incident happening with any one of you can never be ruled out. So if it is possible as per your specialty, then do install a CCTV and take a written consent from the patient about CCTV installation. Certainly, you will have to mention in the clinics that the CCTVs have been installed. The Costs of CCTV would be much much cheaper than the costs that a Doctor might require to pay in litigation and complaints and related problems. Moreover CCTV installation may act as an effective check-up over the staff.

Thanks and Regards,

Adv. Rohit Erande

Pune. ©

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Physician is free to decide whom he/she will serve, except in case of Emergency – Court rejects 2.5 Crore petition against Doctor & Hospital

A "Supreme Judgment" with manifold reliefs to Doctors and Hospital : Perhaps the year end gift for Doctors.-Adv. ROHiT ERANDE.©

"MD Medicine Dr. fined Rs.41 lakh for doing pleural tapping test without Sonography, that too in Causality section