Health practitioners may sometimes be tpted to administer their own healthcare – self-treatment – so it is appropriate to review the practice and, in particular, why it is not an advisable habit.It is easy to understand why some may succumb to the tptation. After all, practitioners are trusted with the health and wellbeing of hundreds, indeed thousands, of clients. So, why would treating oneself or a family mber put anyone’s health at risk?Despite these natural urges to self-administer there are certain disadvantages that deserve review.{{quote-A:R-W:400-Q: Despite these natural urges to self-administer there are certain disadvantages that deserve review. }}While the practice of self-treatment is not illegal, it is generally recommended by medical authorities that practitioners avoid treating thselves or immediate family as far as is practical. Additionally, it is also recommended that practitioners should have their own doctor or practitioner where necessary.Where due consideration has been given to the relevant conditions under which self-treatment may be admissible, such as it being impractical not to do so or timing being critical, every effort must be made to err on the side of safety.Keeping it impersonalLet us review some of these potential challenges, particularly where treatment is administered to family mbers. Challenges include:
- Care standards may be compromised, as a lack of objectivity may cloud professional judgment. This is more likely with self-treatment, as admission of a probl may be unconsciously ignored;
- Close relationships may render taking or providing a complete history, sensitive aspects, or full physical examination uncomfortable for a practitioner or patient. This is more unlikely to occur during an examination by an independent practitioner;
- Patients, particularly family mbers, may feel uncomfortable disclosing sensitive information that they would openly discuss with a non-relative practitioner;
- Record keeping may be informal or non-existent, especially if the practitioner or family mber’s health issue is a minor one and not be deed to be of future relevance;
- Family mbers may exert undue pressure for treatment, possibly contrary to a practitioner’s judgent, a situation which a non-relative practitioner would not normally be exposed to;
- Unforeseen adverse outcomes may result in intra-familial conflict.
Barriers to some of the aboventioned care conditions may result in practitioners ploying inappropriate practices rather than seeking formal healthcare. These include inadequate preventative care, self-diagnosis, self-treatment and delayed presentation to other specialist or impartial practitioners.A professional distanceOther more serious probls encountered in claims and advisory matters include:
- Incorrect self-prescribing;
- Inappropriate self-prescribing resulting in abuse of controlled substances – circumvents normal controls;
- Poor referral and follow-up systs. Who obtains and actions results of tests or investigations requested by self-referring practitioners?
- Confusion between self-treating practitioner and referral source. Who should initiate additional investigations?
- Compromised or strained relationships with colleagues;
- Clinical errors.
The family mber who is a practitioner can, however, play a valuable role in the health care of their family, particularly in an advisory or advocacy role.The following guidelines are suggested:
- Every practitioner should have their own general or specialist practitioner;
- Practitioners should assess circumstances where it is appropriate to treat family mbers, such as in the treatment of minor ailments and ergencies, rather than a primary, treating practitioner;
- If the practitioner decides it is appropriate to treat, good medical records must be maintained, consultations should be formal, and follow up should be arranged.
- Only discuss health of the family mber with the usual treating practitioner who has knowledge and, presumably, the patient’s consent.
Health guidelines dictate that it is inappropriate to treat a family mber if:
- Prescribing or administering drugs of dependence (except in ergencies);
- Prescribing psychotropic medication;
- Undertaking psychotherapy;
- Performing surgery.
