Failing interaction level
The failing interaction level was characterized by the
interaction between a lack of technical skills and viewing
the patient as an object. This was demonstrated in a scenario
involving the above-described 45-year-old woman
with cancer who underwent surgery for a pathological
fracture (see earlier theme, “Understanding of the individual
patient”). In contrast to the CN, the SN did not
interfere with the surgeon and his novice use of the
instrumentation while measuring the prosthesis size.
Furthermore, the SN prevented her colleague from providing
the novice surgeon with important knowledge by
saying, “Hey!” [implying that she was not supposed to
interfere] (17). At the end of the operation, the surgeon
said to the SN, “I have not been satisfied with your assistance.”
The SN replied, “Well, it is not my fault that you
chose a prosthesis that was too big. You are supposed to
know how this should be done” (17). Before the operation,
this particular participant said, “I don’t bother about the
patient contact. I have often felt that I am unable to do
anything for them [patients]” (17). According to the field
notes, the SN exhibited passivity and was unable to share
her (limited) technical, practical, and experience-based
knowledge. Moreover, she prevented the CN from getting
involved in the situation. In this example, the lack of
technical skill was combined with a lack of interest in
the patient as a human being; the patient was only an
object.