Vignette 3 Arteriopath with an acute abdomen
| Doctor | Reasons | |
|---|---|---|
| *The responses to the vignettes which reflect ethical rather than medical reasoning. | ||
| GP | ||
| Admit | 17 | 8 thought the patient required hospital treatment |
| 6 thought the patient required a diagnosis | ||
| 1 thought the patient required a diagnosis and treatment | ||
| 1 wanted admission for relief of patient distress | ||
| 1 did not want to admit the patient because of age* but felt “unable to sit on an acute abdomen” | ||
| NH care | 0 | |
| Unsure | 0 | |
| Geriatrician | ||
| Admit | 13 | 5 would admit for diagnostic reasons |
| 6 would admit for treatment | ||
| 1 would admit for pain control | ||
| 1 considered it to be a surgical emergency and felt that not admitting would equate to euthanasia* | ||
| NH care | 2 | 1 felt the surgical risk was too high |
| 1 knew the surgeons would not operate | ||
| Unsure | 3 | 2 felt inadequate information was provided |
| 1 felt it was up to the patient* | ||