Indexing Title: BCDEVEZA’s Medical Anecdotal Report [ 06 – 8]
MAR Title: “Medical Certificate”
Date of Medical Observation: September 2006
Narration
I came from a duty that day and a friend of mine called me up. She told me that she was not doing well the past days. She had several bouts of vomiting and loose bowel movements. Because of this, she was not able to attend her class. She then asked me if I can just give her a medical certificate so she can have an excuse. I told her that I can give her a medical certificate but, I have to see her personally. After my work in the hospital, I went to her place. After doing my short history and physical examination, I issued her the medical certificate. My impression was Acute Gastroentiritis.
Insights (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements):
As physicians, I would say that issuing a medical certificate is probably the most common thing that we do. Depending on the situation, we issue a medical certificate to different people and in the process, we are often times dictated of what we are going to write. Sometimes, we are forced to just give the medical certificate even without seeing or talking to the patient. For some reason or another, we tend to give in to the request just to satisfy them. Whatever the circumstance maybe, we must be able to exercise honesty and integrity.
The medical certificate may just be a simple form of document but, what is written there is essential. A physician is responsible in everything he does and it is prudent that he has to have some sense of honesty and truth to his work. Having some time with the patient may not take that long. What is important is that we are able to SEE and TALK to them personally. For all we know, the patient might have something that is beyond our sense of hearing.