Multiple sclerosis in a postgraduate student of anaesthesia: illness in doctors and fitness to practice. (28th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reyes, Antonio Jose; Ramcharan, Kanterpersad; Sharma, Sharda
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2015-213845
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 29-year-old previously healthy woman, a doctor, was diagnosed with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis after fulfilling McDonald's criteria for the diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis. Despite 22 months of immunomodulatory treatment, the feasibility of continuing to train in a stressful specialty of medicine became an ethical and practical dilemma. Fitness for practice and career advancement among doctors with illnesses or having cognitive and physical decline from disease and/or ageing is a global problem. The need for addressing this issue in a compassionate and comprehensive manner is discussed. Cognitive and physical fitness are required in doctors and other healthcare workers since medical errors/adverse events are commonplace in medical practice. The public welfare is equally important in this global problem.