Most doctors won’t admit to being a doctor in such circumstances anyway. If they do, they become responsible for the patient for the duration of the trip, and they don’t get paid. They may have to make a call whether to emergency land early (pissing off everyone on the plane any delaying their own plans) or risking the life of the patient. It’s a no win situation.
“But you don’t get paid! Why would you do something if you don’t get paid for it!”
The brain of an American seems to be fundamentally broken at this point
Weve got a bootstraps mentality in the US. Its not worth helping others because 1. No one would help you and 2. Because youre putting yourself at risk by trying to be a good samaritan.
I’ve heard many will not jump at it and hope someone else does. But I think most will at least eye the situation and see if they really urgently need medical attention, then sigh deeply and do it anyway if so.
I spend my day around doctors. They take their Hippocratic oath very seriously, and this comment in no way exemplifies most of the practitioner behavior I observe on a daily basis.
The insurance companies and for-profit hospital administrators on the other hand…
If they are asking it is explicitly because it’s beyond basic first aid and they’re scared. The plane is landing either way, if they are already asking for a doctor, then the decision was already made by the pilots. Afterwards it’s a matter of providing proper care until delivered to a emergency services at the airport. All doctors I know will absolutely respond to such a call on a plane, but medical assistance doesn’t always include touching or doing something to the patient. Often, it’s just looking at them or talking to them (if they’re conscious) and advising the flight crew on what the proper care should be like. Ultimately, doctors are useless without proper infrastructure and resources. A surgeon without a hospital is as helpless as the patient and no first aid carries a pharmacy.
I have 3 close friends who are doctors, I have zero doubt they would jump to help in an emergency (I’ve seen them all do it at various times, though not on planes).
Most doctors won’t admit to being a doctor in such circumstances anyway. If they do, they become responsible for the patient for the duration of the trip, and they don’t get paid. They may have to make a call whether to emergency land early (pissing off everyone on the plane any delaying their own plans) or risking the life of the patient. It’s a no win situation.
No win, you know… except potentially saving another human’s life
Pretty sure it would be illegal to not help in quite a lot of countries, especially as a doctor. Apparently USA is not one of those countries.
“But you don’t get paid! Why would you do something if you don’t get paid for it!”
The brain of an American seems to be fundamentally broken at this point
All they have to do is have a glass or two of wine and say they’re not able to act in a professional capacity.
“is there a doctor on the flight?”
“yes! two glasses of picpoul de Pinet please”
Do they serve wine on Spirit Airlines?
Weve got a bootstraps mentality in the US. Its not worth helping others because 1. No one would help you and 2. Because youre putting yourself at risk by trying to be a good samaritan.
Gross
I’ve heard many will not jump at it and hope someone else does. But I think most will at least eye the situation and see if they really urgently need medical attention, then sigh deeply and do it anyway if so.
I spend my day around doctors. They take their Hippocratic oath very seriously, and this comment in no way exemplifies most of the practitioner behavior I observe on a daily basis.
The insurance companies and for-profit hospital administrators on the other hand…
If they are asking it is explicitly because it’s beyond basic first aid and they’re scared. The plane is landing either way, if they are already asking for a doctor, then the decision was already made by the pilots. Afterwards it’s a matter of providing proper care until delivered to a emergency services at the airport. All doctors I know will absolutely respond to such a call on a plane, but medical assistance doesn’t always include touching or doing something to the patient. Often, it’s just looking at them or talking to them (if they’re conscious) and advising the flight crew on what the proper care should be like. Ultimately, doctors are useless without proper infrastructure and resources. A surgeon without a hospital is as helpless as the patient and no first aid carries a pharmacy.
Not sure if it’s still the case, but airlines used to give flight credits to doctors who helped out. Probably not Spirit though…
Source?
I have 3 close friends who are doctors, I have zero doubt they would jump to help in an emergency (I’ve seen them all do it at various times, though not on planes).
and clearly by flying spirit they don’t make sound life decisions.
however, same can be said for the doctor… so maybe they will speak up?
I don’t think you have any idea what you are talking about.
True. We all know the Hippocratic oath. Do no harm (unless it inconveniences a flight of passengers).
Source: I made it up