“WIT” MOVIE
(2001)
1. Identify the characters and evaluate/discuss the communication skills used by healthcare workers
● Straight to the point when giving the diagnosis and treatment that they will give to
Bearing, explained the details well although he used terms that will not be easily
Harvey Kelekian, MD
understood by non-medical people and did not give enough time for Bearing to
process everything that was said.
● Poor communication skills, does not show empathy and compassion to the patient.
He would say something that would embarrass the patient like the scene during
Jason Posner, MD
pelvic exam. Does not ask for consent when touching the patient during the pelvic
exam and during the grand rounds
● Showed compassion, empathy, and respect which gained the trust of Bearing
especially during the times when she is in severe pain. Does not interrupt the patient
Susie Monahan, RN
when she is talking and maintains appropriate facial expression and eye contact.
Educated the patient on advanced care planning.
2. Reflect on the attitudes of healthcare providers involved in the care of Professor Bearing
■ The way he talks about the patient's condition and the treatment process is good
because he lets the patient know what she needs to expect and how this treatment will
affect her, but in his last sentence “significant contribution to our knowledge” is a bit off
for me because somehow i interpreted it as being a guinea pig. It's okay to disclose
the important aspect of the treatment procedures but that sentence is kind of
Disclosure
unsettling if I ever heard it from my doctor.
■ Regarding information disclosure to family members, it is important to ask for the
patient's permission and I think the HCW did okay with this.
■ Consent forms were also shown, which is important especially when doing such
procedures.
■ The scene starts with Susie Monahan, RN, the primary nurse-in-charge of Vivian’s
care introducing Dr. Jason Posner, a medical fellow working under Dr. Kelekian’s
oncology unit who is charged with directing much of Vivian’s experimental treatment. It
was all warm at first. But when Nurse Susie left the examination room, Dr. Posner
showed signs of resentment for his former professor in College. He seemed
disinterested in Vivian’s welfare and just wanted to get things done with much haste as
shown by his lack of establishing rapport, his cold and unwelcoming approach during
much of the history taking, and his indifference afterwards.
History taking ■ Dr. Posner did get a clear picture of Vivian’s case. But the approach is somewhat
apathetic for one who is supposed to provide warmth and care for the suffering,
especially those inflicted by cancer. Putting myself in Vivian’s shoes, facing a reality
without a family, without any friends nor support groups, it seemed her projection of
being someone who is tough serves as her coping mechanism which literally Dr.
Kelekian and Dr. Posner took advantage primarily for their own ego; something that
we doctors should never do. I learned that everyone involved in patient healthcare has
the patient’s welfare as its ultimate end. And as for Vivian, she deserved better
treatment from Dr. Posner and the rest of the medical team handling her case.
■ This scene started awkwardly. Here we see Dr. Posner put Vivian in a lithotomy
Physical examination position. Upon remembering that he needs Susie to accompany him during the
physical examination, he hurriedly leaves Vivian in search of Susie. We see Vivian pull
1
, down the drapes in such a difficult position to cover herself. She lies down on that cold
examination table, alone. Upon his return with Susie, he hastily puts on his latex
gloves and without securing Vivian’s consent, pushthrough with the exam; again we
see Dr. Posner’s insensitive approach towards his patient, his rough manner of doing
what is supposed to be a delicate procedure, and his indifference towards his patient’s
emotions. The scene ends with Dr. Posner left with haste and slammed the door as he
made his exit.
■ This scene was really hard for me to watch. Dr. Posner mistreated his patient in a
degrading manner, adding more insult to her present illness. Just imagine yourself in
Vivian’s condition; you seek comfort, care and support from your healthcare team. But
they treat you otherwise. Sick people especially those with terminal illness are at their
lowest point in their lives. Aside from the physical pain, they deal on a daily basis
issues of grief, despair and uncertainty of finding a cure that ultimately leads further
down to depression. We as medical personnel should help uplift, comfort and console
them. To let them feel loved and cared for accordingly. To treat them with utmost
respect and with dignity as human persons.
■ On a Friday morning they call Grand Rounds, the scene starts with Dr. Kelekian and
his medical fellows trailing behind their consultant. Dr. Posner, without securing
Vivian’s consent, removes her drapes in front of the other medical fellows and
discusses his recent findings on Vivian in a comprehensive yet insensitive manner.
Despite all the adverse effects, Dr. Kelekian insists on giving her
Hexamethophosphacil and Vinplatin at the full dose. The scene ends with everyone
leaving Vivian alone in her room.
Rounds
■ This scene only showed the doctor’s apathy towards the patient. They are only
interested in what and how the drug affects the cancer in the patient, not the patient
herself. They are only focused on their research, treating Vivian as their experimental
guinea pig for their own gain. Such an egoistic hierarchy! The star of the healthcare
delivery system is the patient. We owe our patients the best manner of treating them
holistically; as the name implies healthCARE providers. We are called to sincerely
care for our patients and seek after their welfare.
■ This scene showed concern and empathy with the patient. The comfort given to a
patient who is scared for her condition and life can make a difference even if it's small.
Popsicle scene ■ Maybe the only thing that is not right in this scene is the disclosing of the information
about her condition because she should wait for the doctors and there’s a right
process about it.
■ The Doctors should have explained to the patient regarding procedures or
interventions, should include her in the plans that she wishes to be done for her as
part of supportive or palliative care. Take for example the control of pain management,
it would be better if they let her decide on what pain management she wants because
she was already in so much agony. It would have been better if the patient control
was used, since it's already terminal so make the life of the patient as much as
Advance care planning comfortable as possible even for a short time.
■ Nurse Susie, Although not her role to give instructions regarding Advance care
derivatives and disclose the information about the procedures or her condition still she
explained to the patient the two options on what to do in case her heart suddenly
stops. So explained regarding code blue that the patient will be revived and DNR, that
they let her rest in peace and will not revive her, let the patient decide on what she
wants and let the doctor know about her plans.
2
(2001)
1. Identify the characters and evaluate/discuss the communication skills used by healthcare workers
● Straight to the point when giving the diagnosis and treatment that they will give to
Bearing, explained the details well although he used terms that will not be easily
Harvey Kelekian, MD
understood by non-medical people and did not give enough time for Bearing to
process everything that was said.
● Poor communication skills, does not show empathy and compassion to the patient.
He would say something that would embarrass the patient like the scene during
Jason Posner, MD
pelvic exam. Does not ask for consent when touching the patient during the pelvic
exam and during the grand rounds
● Showed compassion, empathy, and respect which gained the trust of Bearing
especially during the times when she is in severe pain. Does not interrupt the patient
Susie Monahan, RN
when she is talking and maintains appropriate facial expression and eye contact.
Educated the patient on advanced care planning.
2. Reflect on the attitudes of healthcare providers involved in the care of Professor Bearing
■ The way he talks about the patient's condition and the treatment process is good
because he lets the patient know what she needs to expect and how this treatment will
affect her, but in his last sentence “significant contribution to our knowledge” is a bit off
for me because somehow i interpreted it as being a guinea pig. It's okay to disclose
the important aspect of the treatment procedures but that sentence is kind of
Disclosure
unsettling if I ever heard it from my doctor.
■ Regarding information disclosure to family members, it is important to ask for the
patient's permission and I think the HCW did okay with this.
■ Consent forms were also shown, which is important especially when doing such
procedures.
■ The scene starts with Susie Monahan, RN, the primary nurse-in-charge of Vivian’s
care introducing Dr. Jason Posner, a medical fellow working under Dr. Kelekian’s
oncology unit who is charged with directing much of Vivian’s experimental treatment. It
was all warm at first. But when Nurse Susie left the examination room, Dr. Posner
showed signs of resentment for his former professor in College. He seemed
disinterested in Vivian’s welfare and just wanted to get things done with much haste as
shown by his lack of establishing rapport, his cold and unwelcoming approach during
much of the history taking, and his indifference afterwards.
History taking ■ Dr. Posner did get a clear picture of Vivian’s case. But the approach is somewhat
apathetic for one who is supposed to provide warmth and care for the suffering,
especially those inflicted by cancer. Putting myself in Vivian’s shoes, facing a reality
without a family, without any friends nor support groups, it seemed her projection of
being someone who is tough serves as her coping mechanism which literally Dr.
Kelekian and Dr. Posner took advantage primarily for their own ego; something that
we doctors should never do. I learned that everyone involved in patient healthcare has
the patient’s welfare as its ultimate end. And as for Vivian, she deserved better
treatment from Dr. Posner and the rest of the medical team handling her case.
■ This scene started awkwardly. Here we see Dr. Posner put Vivian in a lithotomy
Physical examination position. Upon remembering that he needs Susie to accompany him during the
physical examination, he hurriedly leaves Vivian in search of Susie. We see Vivian pull
1
, down the drapes in such a difficult position to cover herself. She lies down on that cold
examination table, alone. Upon his return with Susie, he hastily puts on his latex
gloves and without securing Vivian’s consent, pushthrough with the exam; again we
see Dr. Posner’s insensitive approach towards his patient, his rough manner of doing
what is supposed to be a delicate procedure, and his indifference towards his patient’s
emotions. The scene ends with Dr. Posner left with haste and slammed the door as he
made his exit.
■ This scene was really hard for me to watch. Dr. Posner mistreated his patient in a
degrading manner, adding more insult to her present illness. Just imagine yourself in
Vivian’s condition; you seek comfort, care and support from your healthcare team. But
they treat you otherwise. Sick people especially those with terminal illness are at their
lowest point in their lives. Aside from the physical pain, they deal on a daily basis
issues of grief, despair and uncertainty of finding a cure that ultimately leads further
down to depression. We as medical personnel should help uplift, comfort and console
them. To let them feel loved and cared for accordingly. To treat them with utmost
respect and with dignity as human persons.
■ On a Friday morning they call Grand Rounds, the scene starts with Dr. Kelekian and
his medical fellows trailing behind their consultant. Dr. Posner, without securing
Vivian’s consent, removes her drapes in front of the other medical fellows and
discusses his recent findings on Vivian in a comprehensive yet insensitive manner.
Despite all the adverse effects, Dr. Kelekian insists on giving her
Hexamethophosphacil and Vinplatin at the full dose. The scene ends with everyone
leaving Vivian alone in her room.
Rounds
■ This scene only showed the doctor’s apathy towards the patient. They are only
interested in what and how the drug affects the cancer in the patient, not the patient
herself. They are only focused on their research, treating Vivian as their experimental
guinea pig for their own gain. Such an egoistic hierarchy! The star of the healthcare
delivery system is the patient. We owe our patients the best manner of treating them
holistically; as the name implies healthCARE providers. We are called to sincerely
care for our patients and seek after their welfare.
■ This scene showed concern and empathy with the patient. The comfort given to a
patient who is scared for her condition and life can make a difference even if it's small.
Popsicle scene ■ Maybe the only thing that is not right in this scene is the disclosing of the information
about her condition because she should wait for the doctors and there’s a right
process about it.
■ The Doctors should have explained to the patient regarding procedures or
interventions, should include her in the plans that she wishes to be done for her as
part of supportive or palliative care. Take for example the control of pain management,
it would be better if they let her decide on what pain management she wants because
she was already in so much agony. It would have been better if the patient control
was used, since it's already terminal so make the life of the patient as much as
Advance care planning comfortable as possible even for a short time.
■ Nurse Susie, Although not her role to give instructions regarding Advance care
derivatives and disclose the information about the procedures or her condition still she
explained to the patient the two options on what to do in case her heart suddenly
stops. So explained regarding code blue that the patient will be revived and DNR, that
they let her rest in peace and will not revive her, let the patient decide on what she
wants and let the doctor know about her plans.
2
