A doctor has sparked a heated debate on Reddit after confessing he declined to help a passenger experiencing a medical emergency during a long-haul flight, citing his alcohol consumption as the primary reason. The 30-year-old internal medicine hospitalist shared his story on the popular r/AmItheAsshole subreddit, seeking validation for his decision, but instead ignited a discussion about medical ethics and personal responsibility.
According to his Reddit post, the physician was on an international flight during his waking hours and decided to indulge in the in-flight entertainment and complimentary alcoholic beverages. He admitted to starting his drinking even before boarding, while still in the airport lounge. When an announcement called for a doctor onboard to assist a passenger, his initial instinct to help was quickly overridden by the awareness of his inebriated state.
“Normally, I would present myself to the cabin crew and help out, but after several hours of boozing, I was pretty drunk. I was not able to think clearly and probably would have done more harm than good. I didn’t react to the announcement at all,” he explained in his post.
His decision drew immediate reaction from a fellow passenger seated next to him. When she noticed his inaction and realized he was a doctor, she confronted him. The Reddit user recounted her accusatory words, stating, “She said I was an unbelievable a****** and that if the passenger died it was my fault.”
In his defense, the doctor stated he believed his responsibility to provide medical care is confined to his professional setting. “Just because I’m a doctor doesn’t mean that I’m on call 24/7 to provide medical care on demand. I work when I’m at the hospital, outside I’m just like everyone else and I’m entitled to drink and relax,” he retorted. This response, however, did little to appease his fellow passenger who, according to him, remained disgusted and silent for the remainder of the flight.
Expert Backs Doctor’s Judgment
Despite the initial negative reaction from the passenger, the online community on Reddit largely rallied behind the doctor’s stance. Adding a professional perspective to the debate, travel agency owner and Medicare insurance advisor Elisa Karen Bell weighed in on the situation. Speaking to Newsweek, Bell supported the doctor’s decision.
“Having traveled extensively for over three decades, I believe that the man handled the situation appropriately,” Bell stated. She further suggested that the doctor could have diffused the situation by simply explaining to his seatmate that he had consumed alcohol and was not in a state to provide competent medical assistance, aligning with his professional standards. Bell emphasized the potential for harm if the doctor had attempted to intervene while intoxicated, reinforcing the doctor’s rationale that he “could do more harm than good.”
Reddit Divided: Ethics vs. Personal Time
The Reddit thread, which quickly garnered thousands of comments, showcased a spectrum of opinions. While a significant portion of users agreed with the doctor’s right to refuse assistance when off-duty and under the influence, some questioned his approach and communication.
One Reddit user commented, “You are [not the] a****** for not volunteering after you’d been drinking, but why did you not just tell your co-passenger that? The way you describe it you have appeared to just not want to help, and that comes across as really cold and callous.” This comment highlights a common sentiment that while the decision to abstain from providing medical help might be justifiable, the lack of a clear explanation to the concerned passenger fueled the negative perception.
Another user echoed this point, stating, “Not the A****** for not volunteering, but kind of an idiot for saying oh, someone else will help. If you had just said, ‘I can’t I’ve been drinking’. That would be the end of it.” This suggests that a simple, honest explanation about his alcohol consumption could have mitigated the conflict and been more readily understood.
Ultimately, the Reddit discussion surrounding the “Doctor Refused Mid Air Emergency Reddit” scenario underscores the complex intersection of professional duty, personal time, and ethical considerations, particularly within the medical field. While the consensus leans towards supporting the doctor’s right to refuse in this specific context, the conversation also highlights the importance of clear communication and empathy in such high-pressure situations.
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