Needle on Crime: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Surgeons Operating a Criminal Suspect Patient

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Health service is one of the necessities that every individual needs nowadays, where surgeons lead the operation of a patient. In fulfilling their responsibilities, surgeons are experiencing some challenges. Although there are studies about the problems and challenges that a surgeon deals with in an operation, there seems to be limited studies about the experiences of surgeons who operates a criminal suspect patient. Thus, this phenomenological study was conducted to know more about the lived experiences of surgeons operating a criminal suspect patient. Specifically, the issues and challenges they are encountering and their coping mechanisms regarding those challenges were identified.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative method which presents the issues and challenges of surgeon operating a criminal suspect patient. The study involved six participants from General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital, who were conversed through in-depth semi-structured interview. The interview question includes what the surgeon experienced when having operation with criminal suspect patients and the coping mechanisms they are using to deal with those challenges. Thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke (2006) was used as a framework of analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that the surgeons experienced issues and challenges including emotional conflict, delayed needs, physical challenges, complicated injuries, performing their responsibilities, and criminal suspect patient's behavior. Likewise, as stated in Turjuul et al. (2005), the surgeons are personally challenged by the existential reality of life in their relationships with their patients. Referring to social service workers, using the available materials, professionalism, and good governance are the coping mechanisms of the surgeons. In accordance with this, Orri et al. (2015) cited that surgeons mentioned that there are several coping strategies in terms of their emotions which are proven to be effective, like teamwork, recognizing patient's emotions, balancing personal involvement and neutrality, and cognitive re-centering.

DISCUSSIONS

Hence, the criminal suspect patient's behavior, emotional conflict, delayed needs, physical challenges, complicated injuries, and performing their responsibilities are the common themes on the issues and challenges experienced by the surgeons. Conversely, the themes on the coping mechanisms are referring to social service workers, using the available materials, professionalism, and good governance.