Sticky Situations

I am currently on my Neuro placement, and thoroughly enjoying it's many challenges. During the week I had a very interesting encounter, one that I am a little embarrassed and reluctant to share. The situation in question arose when a physio on the ward asked if I could quickly help transfer one of his patients from the chair to bed. The only background information I was given was that "they had psychological issues". Always willing to help I said "yes" right away. So as I proceeded to enter the room I was confronted immediately by a confronting question, which was "Are you straight?". To which I replied, "Well the last time I looked in the mirror I was". The patient then kept on probing about my sexual orientation and that he didn't want any Gay men touching him. Finally I had to reassure him by flashing my wedding band and tell him I was a happily married man and that he was safe with me. Happy to report the transfer went smoothly without a hitch.

Reflecting on this clinical experience, it didn't bother me at all about the patient's behaviour. In fact after the session I quickly found the patient's notes and found that they had suffered a TBI when they were younger, in particular to their frontal lobe. From my previous knowledge I am well aware that these patients may exhibit pseudo-physchopathic behaviours, in particular lack of sexual and social inhibitions. The patient's behaviour then made complete sense.

In future I think it may be prudent to obtain a more detailed handover so that I can be fully prepared, and to not make any wise cracks. Furthermore, it made me realize that during my professional career I will be faced with many confronting patients, but at the end of the day I need to be professional in my behaviour but also empathetic and understanding.

If any of you guys have any other suggestions as to how I could have done things differently or changes for future clinical practice, then I would like to hear.