On Conveniently Forget

So the Gynecologist asked me to clerk a patient before presenting the patient to her. Normal pregnancy, 20 weeks, coming for a booking at the hospital. No past medical illness or surgeries. First baby. Husband sitting at the side seems happy and all. Not on any medications and completely healthy. Seems normal right?

But as I was filling out her first visit form in her folder, I accidentally flipped through her notes and guess what... she was actually admitted before. Psychiatric ward in fact. I looked at it, curious. But it was 3 years ago. As long as it's not any mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder I'm sure it won't be a big deal right? Some more, it's just... parasuicide!

In another word. Not a real suicide. Just some impulsive wanting to end her life because her husband too ego and boss her around. So she swallowed 3 strips of panadol.

But as undergrad, I figured I shouldn't be missing anything out in my history. So I consulted her again. Her husband was beside her, talking on the phone. I tried to be as sensitive as I could, speaking in a very low tone, "I accidentally saw your file, you had problems with your husband before?"

"Oh... no... no no no.. That was no... no no...." She panicked.

And I also panicked.

For all that matters, some people might not want their spouse to know their past right?

Then I quickly, "Okay okay, let's not talk about it... Never mind. I won't bring it up later. No worries."


Later on in the consultation room, everything went on normally. In fact, I thought I just totally forgot about her parasuicide history. Speaking about doctor-patient confidentiality. Where does medical students come into? Hmmm...