Aussie docs call for rewards after MAS incident

[Chan CS 0]

MELBOURNE: An Australian doctor left her family to attend to three sick passengers on a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight to Kuala Lumpur.

 

As a reward, she wanted an upgrade but MAS said no. And Dr Matilda Metledge has shot off a bill to MAS for services rendered.

 

Her actions have now sparked a debate over whether doctors should be rewarded for providing services during flights.

 

The Australian Doctor magazine reported that Dr Metledge had to leave her young family to attend to an elderly man and a woman who were vomiting, as well as another who was causing a disturbance, on her flight.

 

After being given toiletries and pyjamas for her services, Dr Metledge asked for an upgrade but was refused.

 

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is asking international airlines to provide incentives for doctors whose travels are ruined by treating fellow passengers.

 

AMA public health committee chairman Assoc Prof John Gullotta told the Herald Sun newspaper he also had three recent flights ruined because he had to treat passengers, and felt airlines were taking doctors for granted.

 

“It is a bit unfair to expect doctors trying to get away on holiday to be always available and render assistance,” he was quoted as saying.

 

“Obviously we have to do that as part of our Hippocratic Oath and sense of well being, but the airlines have to take a bit more responsibility.

 

“On most flights, you are going to have at least one doctor there. So by having an incentive upfront and saying that if you want to be on call, you can have an upgrade or be paid for the time you are on call, every one else can relax.”

 

AMA suggested airlines adopt a process where doctors could declare themselves when buying a ticket and state whether they would like to be on call or not.

 

But Medical Error Action Group spokesman Lorraine Long told the newspaper that treating sick people was a doctor’s obligation, not something to do for a reward.

 

“If you are a doctor travelling on a plane and you help someone, isn’t a ‘Thank you’ sufficient?” she said.

 

MAS officials could not be reached for comment. – Bernama

 

 

Herm... I've no comments actually, but just want to know what is in your mind. Thank you.

[Ignatius 4]

In my view, asking for reward from MAS and not from the sick patients is awkward, asking for reward itself isn't proper... Who is that Skippy doctor and who taught u such manner??? Shame on you, a word of thanks is the best reward for helping out... How can helping out onboard to treat sick patients be labeled as "RUINED!!?" Are they trying to say that being a doctor is so awful that everytime they help ill patients, they say their day is ruined???? Just my 1/2 cents

[Rozhan 0]

On descretion of Inflight Supervisor or Captain, provided no upgrade of meal considering limited uplift, and ample empty seats, I think it could be a kind of appreciation by airline to pax for assisting in emergency situations and perhaps save a life. Everybody wins.

[Azri M. 0]

I believe she deserves the extra upgrades.. Its not a mere small medical procedures. She has to endure a lot of difficult stuff with limited medical kits.

 

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/stor...5013605,00.html

 

DOCTORS want airlines to upgrade them free to first or business class if they agree to treat sick passengers during flights.

 

Most carriers rely on medicos' ethical obligations to provide assistance to ill people in any situation, including when they are off-duty or on holiday.

 

However, the Australian Medical Association says doctors are becoming fed-up with doing unpaid work for airlines and believe they should be compensated with upgrades or flight vouchers.

 

Associate Professor John Gullotta, of the AMA, said the best solution would be for airlines to employ their own flight doctors rather than rely on the goodwill of passengers.

 

"I know of people who don't put doctor on their boarding cards so they won't get called on," he said.

 

"The chances of having a doctor on board are pretty high so, when they check in, ground staff could say: 'Is it okay if you don't drink and we give you an upgrade so you can be on call?"'

 

The proposal came after a Sydney GP endured a nightmare international flight, abandoning her husband and two crying toddlers to treat passengers back-to-back for the entire journey.

 

Dr Matilda Metledge, who was flying Malaysia Airlines from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on holiday last month, assisted a man with a bowel obstruction, a vomiting young woman and a violent young couple believed to be on hallucinogenic drugs.

 

She told The Sunday Telegraph her main concerns were the inadequacy of the airline's medical kit and the ground staff's decision to allow the couple to board the plane.

 

"The first issue is that the airline chose to endanger the lives of all passengers on the plane by allowing the young couple on board when on the ground they had noticed the couple were acting strangely and erratically," she said.

 

"They had made the assumption it was alcohol and told the cabin crew not to serve them any alcohol on the flight.

 

"But it was very obvious to me they were completely off their faces on LSD or some kind of hallucinogenic drug.

 

"They were telling the cabin crew every few seconds to f*** off, they were very aggressive, very loud and kept going into first class and sitting on the crew seats."

 

The young woman sat on the toilet in economy class with her foot holding the door wide open, screaming that she was having a miscarriage, even though she clearly was not, Dr Metledge said.

 

"The cabin crew were just at their wits' end, I felt very sorry for them," she added.

 

"They had to deal with (the couple) for the first three hours because I was busy with two other customers."

 

Dr Metledge said she struggled to treat the first sick passenger -- who had been hospitalised with a bowel obstruction days earlier but didn't get treatment because he was a non-Australian without travel insurance -- with a poor quality medical kit that contained only one set of small gloves.

 

"The drugs weren't in English and were not in the units Australian doctors would use," she said.

 

"I had no idea what the conversion was and I shouldn't have had to be thinking about it at 3am."

 

Dr Metledge believes there should be a consistent international strategy to determine the contents of airline medical kits.

 

She went on to treat a woman vomiting explosively before trying to keep the young couple under control until landing.

 

Her husband was left with their two crying children, aged one and three, who did not sleep because they wanted her to put them to bed, she said.

 

The young family had to cancel planned tours because they were too exhausted after the flight.

 

Dr Gullotta says he gets called to give medical assistance about every third flight he takes.

 

"It makes you think twice before you go overseas again," he added.

 

Adelaide obstetrician Dr Jenny Cook, who delivered a baby mid-flight earlier this year, said she wouldn't expect an upgrade in return for treating passengers.

 

"I helped out in an emergency and that was enough," she said.

 

"It did not occur to me for a moment whether I would be paid or not but I would have been a bit put out if they had said: 'It's okay now, you can go back to your seat'."

 

Dr Cook was given champagne and upgraded to first class for the rest of the flight but was not upgraded on her return flight.

 

She said it was the first time she had assisted on a flight.

 

Malaysia Airlines was unavailable for comment.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Azri M.

[Gavin Andrew David 6]

Very subjective matter actually .

 

I would agree that if there is a seat avail , then why not the free upgrade .

 

Would anyone want to have their whole flight ruined by someone throwing up at you , screaming at you saying all sorts of rubbish and having to see to a bowel obstruction .. U paid to sit back and relax and by being kind , you don't expect something in return but I think the airline should give something in return .

 

After seeing this article , I'm sure doctors on board a flight would not assist anyone on board or at least think twice on whether to help passengers in need of medical attention anymore fearing that their whole flight will be ruined ,or even their holiday due to sleep deprivation and exhaustion .

[Sri Ramani K. 0]

in my humble opinion, it should neither be asked or deemed for. both are at fault, the carrier for not having an initiative to at least show some gratitude towards the doctor. if i were to be the doctor there, toiletries and pyjamas wouldn't be sufficient. but then again, the doctor shouldn't have asked for an upgrade.

 

but then again, since it wasn't a life threatening situation, maybe they thought an upgrade isn't necessary. medicine is a noble profession, but thanks to people like these, they are no different compared to businessmen.

[Keith T 2]

Interesting discussion about the same article over at Aust Frequent Flyer, and you can read the views and experiences of some medical professionals:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/...tory-11112.html

 

Especially this post by drron:

I dont know how often rat or snake specialists are asked to provide their services in flight though here in the USA there is discussion as to how frequently scorpions get onto planes.However doctors are not infrequently called.It has happened to me twice.First on QF flying to LHR.I had to spend 2-3 hours back in economy when i was in business.If I had not responded(no other doctor came forward) then the plane would probably have diverted but the condition was not life threatening and so flight was completed.FA gave my wife a 747 model and bottle of champagne.

Next was recently on JAL from NRT-JFK.An immunocompromised patient developed pneumonia and I seriously considered asking for a diversion.However she responded to antibiotics and IV fluids.The treatment from the staff was completely different.A FA was assigned to stay with me and act as translator,The purser and co-pilot came to assess the situation from time to time and later on a personal letter from the president of JAL with a gift of an electronic calculator.Also told of the successful result of treatment in NYC.This was the best reward.

Contrary to perceptions I have not experienced upgrades,free flights etc.However I felt appreciated by JAL and taken for granted by QF.

 

I tend to agree with the view that a sincere 'thank you' should be adequate, but at the same time - it's also down to how the airline handles the overrall situation and the aftermath. There's a fine line between gratitude and taking someone for granted.

 

 

Edited September 30, 2007 by Keith T

[Denny Yen 0]

My missus responded to inflight emergencies, first time on Air Canada in '04 on her way from NRT direct flight to YYZ somewhere near Alaska. A Brazilian passenger suffered from convulsion and lost consciousness. She managed to revive him and assessed his conditions as not requiring the flight to make an emergency landing halfway. The flight continued to YYZ without any recurring medical emergencies.

 

Chief purser offered a seat in First Class...she refused...after that, they gave her an amenity kit from First Class, and the captain came out of flightdeck to personally thanked her.

 

The 2nd time was onboard ANA domestic where a little girl had breathing difficulties. She told the crew that the conditions will worsen if she continues her journey...the captain decided to turn the plane around back to departing airport. ANA rewarded her with some sales coupons for buying ANA products.

 

I never asked her why she refused First Class upgrade...however, I think that for doctors to expect 1st class upgrade in exchange for performing medical assistance (regardless of complexities) would have gone against a doctor's oath or medical council's code of conduct. It's like a public hospital refusing to treat patients until a patient fully pays and clears all payment.

[V Wong 0]

I once had to perform CPR on an old gentleman who had a cardiac arrest in Auckland airport after 30min of waiting in line for immigration clearance, upon arrival from an overnight flight from KUL. A Spanish guy and I managed to revive this man. In the ensuing 30min of chaos and waiting for airport emergency medical services to arrive and transfer him away, we both lost our place in the queue. Ironically an angmoh female who announced herself as a doctor after our successful CPR was whisked away, fast-tracking the rest of the waiting passengers! She did not even do anything except announced somewhat loudly that she was a house-officer. Alas, I was dressed too 'selekeh' for anyone to believe my profession.....

 

However, while waiting at the back of the line again, some fellow passengers came up to thanked both the Spanish guy and I. Till today I could recall an appreciative lady who did not speak a word of English - she came up to me, spoke something in a foreign language and shook my hands. Believe me, that alone was enough... despite another 30min of waiting for immigration clearance!

 

[Sandeep G 1]

My Dad's a doctor and always gives a hand when a person is in need. He enjoys the occassional thanks of gratitude from the crew and recognition of his services in assisting his fellow human being, but won't have a hissy fit if he is not upgraded to Business class. There is a thing called the hippocratic oath that binds all men and women of the medical field to help look after his fellow man/woman. Perhaps this Aussie doctor took the hypocratic oath.. bloody lame excuse for a doctor if you ask me.

 

The medical profession is supposed to be one in which individuals have high morals and integrity... a bloody rabid German Shepard seems like it would have higher morals and integrity than this doctor.

[Izanee 0]

my dad has helped a few people during flights- including delivering a baby. he was offered upgrades but refused as he had to leave his family or friends behind. i think MAS should have offered something more than an amenity kit as courtesy.

Bowel obstruction can be life threatening - and dealing with sick people for 8 hours on a plane is extremely difficult considering the lack of equipment.

 

However, I think that the woman should not have thrown a hissy fit when not given an upgrade.... and she should not expect it. Is she australian by the way?

I remember once during a holiday to australia, my dad became unwell. The hotel called a doctor in - and he was very nice. after giving my dad an injection for pain - he asked my dad if he wanted him to stay longer. My dad was pleasantly surprised, and said yes. He stayed for 3 hours and then left.

 

Later that morning - we got a bill for AUD 150 per hour. That goes to show you how much they care about money.

 

 

[Keith T 2]

However, I think that the woman should not have thrown a hissy fit when not given an upgrade.... and she should not expect it. Is she australian by the way?

I remember once during a holiday to australia, my dad became unwell. The hotel called a doctor in - and he was very nice. after giving my dad an injection for pain - he asked my dad if he wanted him to stay longer. My dad was pleasantly surprised, and said yes. He stayed for 3 hours and then left.

 

Later that morning - we got a bill for AUD 150 per hour. That goes to show you how much they care about money.

 

 

I think there's a difference in your father's case and on an flight. It is impossible to find any other sources of medical help on a flight and therefore the any medical professionals onboard a flight effectively render their professional services voluntarily. For your dad, it's analogous to going into a clinic or a hospital for medical treatment where he'd expect to be billed for medical services rendered. The doctor ought to have made clear that he charges by the hour, which is a common practice for outcall practitioners. More likely though, I think what occurred there was a misunderstanding as it sounds like that's the doctor's diplomatic way of asking whether his medical services are still required and thus more $$$, which your father interpreted as a friendly gesture.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Keith T

[Radzi 2]

Offering an upgrade to helping doctors is very appropriate.

 

Doctors demanding an upgrade, even after helping out, is not.

 

Just wonder, if there is an emergency, a doctor on board did not help and somebody died, what will be said of that noble profession? Or is it reward is everything now?

[KK Lee 5]

 

When cc made announcement to ask for doctor, contractually, the doctor is entitled to charge the airline fees.

 

If the GCC was not full, it cost the airline very little to upgrade the doctor and her family for the rest of the journey. If that flight didn’t uplift enough GCC breakfast and they were served EY meals in the front, believe they won’t complain.

 

MH should have done better by sending her Enrich miles instead of going through this bad publicity.

 

[Izanee 0]

yes keith - i am aware the circumstances are different. i still think that the doctor should NOT expect any fees or upgrades for medical assistance rendered. IF she was offered something as a courtesy - fine.

As someone rightly mentioned - if you work at a private hospital and someone who cannot afford it attends with an emergency- it is your duty to treat him or her.

 

as for misunderstanding - the doctor should make it clear that he expects to charge for every hour he spends with the patient. CLEAR, succint communication is essential in medical practice not least because of medico-legal issues. Communication skills are a very important aspect of medicine - and that is constantly drummed into our heads in medical school and at work. The doctor has to NEGOTIATE a management plan WITH the patient.

 

in malaysia and the UK - doctors frequently extend small gestures towards a member of their own profession. For example - if a doctor requires treatment from another - charges are waived, especially for consultation. Some costs related to the hospitals providing services such as rooms, theatre staff and equipment etc. may still be charged BY THE HOSPITAL.

 

 

Demanding a reward for helping someone who is ill is not nice.

However, I agree that MH should have provided some form of compensation for her difficult 8 hour flight.

 

MH cabin services are deteriorating as we speak.

 

There is no such thing as 5 star at low cost. I used to be proud of MH - not anymore. I've lost faith in the current management. Let's hope that they are right in what they are doing as I don't see it that way.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Izanee

[Louis L. 2]

my opinion is that if there's vacant seat ...of course mh should offer...but the doctor should not ask either...

 

in this case...my opinion is that both mh and the doctor r wrong...so no fussing about it....

 

my 2 cent

[Sanjay Thaker 0]

Its easy to speak on the ground, however, in the flight, the decision lies in the commander's hands. SOP doesn't permit an upgrade. Whether the commander is willing to risk permitting an upgrade and later justifying his actions to the company or not lies in his hands. I guess in this case, he decided not to permit it.

[Wai Hung 0]

In my opinion, that is very inappropiate for a doctor to ask for a reward after helping someone.

With this article, it might affect some doctors perception in the future. Doctors might ask for reward first before offering help.

What's in my mind has already been said and mentioned in the above posts, so no use ranting about it.

If doctors can demand for reward after they helped someone in pain, what about the two flight instructors that helped in the Sioux City accident and United 93? I know this sounds a bit off topic or irrelevant. At the end of the day. helping is part and parcel of our life, who knows someday u might need help too? I agree on rewarding someone who lend a hand in times of need, but it should be our decision on how to give reward, not his or hers. Its a simple rule of life. What is happening to the world today?

[Yusoff 1]

Asking a reward for a favour? Then it's not a favour after all... it's a work. where these people took their moral classes from?... and for a doctor to act such a manner, as mentioned earlier, where those sworns and code of conduct goes? unethical? if that's appropriate...