Letter of the day: Difficult obstetrics in the hospital

I react to the article published in your columns on Tuesday, August 5, concerning the reclassification of the chief of the obstetric service. The arguments put forward by his lawyers indignant me.

Dysfunctions in the direction of the service have been noted for many years, either by external observers, or by caregivers suffering for many “mobbing” in the form of repeated humiliations, sometimes in public. This was particularly the case against collaborators who had testified against her and her managerial practices following an audit of 2020. She thus pushed several of them to resign, who fortunately found a new activity outside the HUG.

Unlikely that others dare to denounce it today. His behavior established a climate of fear. This atmosphere was certainly detrimental to the care of patients.

With regard to “competence, dedication and empathy” mentioned by his lawyers, this is notoriously what is missing from the service of service. I myself followed patients who were dealing with her. I noticed evidence of medical incompetence, but above all an absence of kindness and humanity reported by those for which she had taken care of. These patients did not wish to file a complaint at the time, even if certain situations could have justified it.

We will see if languages will be untied now. According to lawyers, the Maternity of Geneva has become the largest in Switzerland thanks to their client, the professor. In reality it is the largest maternity in Switzerland in decades, long before its entry into office, under the direction of the heads of previous service, of course because of the quality of the care provided, but above all because of its large population of population.

The role of the doctor with the patient must be competent, of course, but above all devoted, benevolent and empathetic. Treatment requires remembering that the ascendant we have on the sick gives a big responsibility. The oath of Hippocrates prescribes it to us. The same oath forces us to transmit our knowledge to the youngest to give them the tools that will allow them to become good doctors. This transmission must be done firmly but benevolence to give confidence to those we are responsible for and who will be the caregivers of tomorrow.

D^r Gabriel de Candolle, FMH gynecology-obstetrics, former president of Geneva gynecologists, former teacher at the maternity of HUG.

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