Boundaries question

[cargalrn]

Is it illegal to speak to a former patient on the phone if they call in, or if you see them, say at the mall? I try to be aware of boundaries, but if I really bonded with that patient, how would it harm to ask how they are doing or to give ongoing encouragement if I don't comment on their treatment at our facility or their current treatment. I do realize it may just be bad judgement, but I was told by a co-worker that it was illegal.

What do you say?

[amandapmct]

I think the "why not" is best summed up as "dual relationship." Someone below said "remove the patient from the context and it's not illegal or unethical..." but you simply can't. Once they are your pt. they are always your pt., partly because they could become your pt. again. If you saw her at the mall and she approached you, it is difficult for you to anticipate how she would feel if you asked her how she was doing; you were around for a very difficult time and she may not wish to get into all that, or even be reminded of it - even if you were important to her, too. I think this is the best reason to hold very strong boundaries; we simply don't know how the pt. feels about us, about their time in the hospital, or about how their seeing us and talking with us could affect them.

I have talked with people about this in nursing and in mental health and my philosophy is that we can always hold a special pt. in our hearts and memories. But we have to hold them very, very loosely. Remember them, wish the best for them, but not pursue or attempt contact at all. They will be okay without us and can live their life without knowing how much they affected us.

I completely understand your feelings but I do think really firm boundaries are important.

[cargalrn]

You have all helped me understand this greatly. Thank you.