Patient asks my opinion...what's appropriate???

[jorla9903]

hi, i'm a recent graduate nurse :)) and i have a question....if a patient asks my opinion on treatment how do i go about giving it?? such as if they have a choice between surgery or hardcore meds and they ask my opinion....what is the right way to answer?

thanks in advance~!

[RNandRRT]

Hmm sometimes people just wants things explained to them in layman's terms.Again, I don't know how if I'm already hyperventilating from having surgery in the first instance, you'd give me( most likely) tons of paper and expect me to read and absorb it?

Put yourself in the patient's shoes.

Quite the contrary. Most open-heart patients are deluged with pamphlets and videos and books on all the info they are going to need for the process. They are expected to read it all and know it. And if not they are to ask the case nurse anything they are not understanding. A lot of them look like a deer in headlights the night before, but it's all there for them.

[Jules A, MSN]

I was asked what I thought about an invasive test once. And I really didn't think it was necessary. So I told them, "Whenever a test is suggested to me, I always ask, 'How will this change the course of treatment?'" I suggested they direct that question at the doc wanting to do the test. They decided to go for it. Which was fine with me, it was their decision. I'll answer questions and if I can't, direct them to who can answer the questions, I'll reassure, but I won't make the decisions for them.

This is a great example of how to properly advocate for the patient by helping them gather the information they need to make the right decision especially when it isn't something we would choose to do for ourself if in a similar position.

[Intern67]

hi, i'm a recent graduate nurse :)) and i have a question....if a patient asks my opinion on treatment how do i go about giving it?? such as if they have a choice between surgery or hardcore meds and they ask my opinion....what is the right way to answer?

thanks in advance~!

in the specific case you mention, the responsibility for explaining the risks and benefits of surgery vs meds is squarely on the md. as i understand it, the nurse is responsible for making sure the patient understood what was explained and offer supporting materials and education.

it is perfectly appropriate to talk to the patient to see where they have questions and act accordingly. i would think it is inappropriate to give your opinion.

if patients ask me directly on my opinion, i try to probe further for why they are asking and try to address that underlying issue.

[whodatnurse]

Hmm sometimes people just wants things explained to them in layman's terms.Again, I don't know how if I'm already hyperventilating from having surgery in the first instance, you'd give me( most likely) tons of paper and expect me to read and absorb it?

Put yourself in the patient's shoes.

I didn't say I would give them tons of paper and "expect them to read and absorb it". I said I would offer to provide them with those materials "if it would help" them to have an additional resource to consider as they consider their options. And I also said I would try to answer and specific questions about the treatments.

I put myself in my patient's shoes by providing them with whatever information I think might be helpful to them to make their own potentially life-altering decisions and respecting the choices they then make all by their own grown-up selves.