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Are Cruise Ship Doctors Sub-par or is This an Annomoly?


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Having read this article I now wonder about the qualifications of cruise ship doctors. This happened on the Norwegian Breakaway and the doctor is described as a "young, inexperienced, Columbia-trained physician". The doctor described in the article seems totally inept. I guess it's folly to expect that highly trained physicians from top medical schools would be found working on cruise ships, but one wonders - what are the typical qualifications of cruise ship doctors?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/14/cruise-ship-doctors-error-led-to-workers-arm-amputation-lawsuit-claims.html

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Let's think this through.

 

If I graduated in the top 5% of my class from medical school and I had 2 job offers, 1 from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center and 1 from a cruise line,,, which one do I accept?

 

On the other hand, the other 95% of my class have student loans to pay off also.

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Having read this article I now wonder about the qualifications of cruise ship doctors. This happened on the Norwegian Breakaway and the doctor is described as a "young, inexperienced, Columbia-trained physician". The doctor described in the article seems totally inept. I guess it's folly to expect that highly trained physicians from top medical schools would be found working on cruise ships, but one wonders - what are the typical qualifications of cruise ship doctors?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/14/cruise-ship-doctors-error-led-to-workers-arm-amputation-lawsuit-claims.html

 

This is one article about one doctor. If you’re extrapolating that all ship’s doctors are incompetent because one seems to be, that’s a big leap.

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I am a retired RN, and cruise with Princess. I have had occasion to see the ship's physician on a few occasions and have always been very satisfied with their expertise. Most have not been from the US, but their knowledge and skills have been solid.

I have used those visits as an opportunity to chat up the RNs and EMTs who also work in the ship's medical center, and learned that, at least on Princess, all medical crew must be ACLS certified, which means they are well prepared to manage most any emergency situation. The ship's medical centers are equipped much like a land based ER would be to care for emergencies, or to at least provide medical support for serious ailments until the patient can be gotten to a hospital on land.

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I do know that the level of education of Drs OUS is not as rigorous of those in the USA. They would not be allowed to practice in the USA.

That said, I know of several people with an MD behind their name, who went to school OUS and had no more education than a RN in the USA.

It is a buyer beware situation.

This situation is very unfortunate but not BS necessarily.

Yes, I am in the medical field.

Safe cruising!

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lets be real people, the role of a ship doctor is to deal with emergencies, asses whether they need more extensive treatment and treat routine care issues... most doctors get training in emergency rooms... as part of their training..

 

I have used a ship doctor one time for my self and one time for DH... over 30 years... no complaint.

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I had to see a ship’s doctor a few years ago when I busted up my shin after falling when a tender was docking at the ship in rough waters. I required stitches and their removal from the doctor who was from the US and either taking a sabbatical or retired. She mentioned enjoying her workload and travel on the ship. I am satisfied with the care I received.

 

 

Neal in Cincinnati

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Having read this article I now wonder about the qualifications of cruise ship doctors. This happened on the Norwegian Breakaway and the doctor is described as a "young, inexperienced, Columbia-trained physician". The doctor described in the article seems totally inept. I guess it's folly to expect that highly trained physicians from top medical schools would be found working on cruise ships, but one wonders - what are the typical qualifications of cruise ship doctors?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/14/cruise-ship-doctors-error-led-to-workers-arm-amputation-lawsuit-claims.html

 

What's wrong with Columbia medical school? It's ranked #6 for internal medicine among US schools, and #11 for research.

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I do know that the level of education of Drs OUS is not as rigorous of those in the USA. They would not be allowed to practice in the USA.

 

What, pray tell, is OUS? Surely you aren't claiming that all Drs who are educated outside of the US receive inferior training.

 

I'll also point out that the article stated he was Columbia trained; NOT Colombia trained.

Edited by mom says
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We had one experience several years ago. We were not satisfied. Our family doctor was 'surprised' at the quality of care.

 

We learned at the the time that RCI outsourced their medical facilities to a third party. Probably to avoid potential litigation.

 

Like anywhere else, I have no doubt that there are good and less that satisfactory levels of care. I would find it very difficult to suggest that one cruise line or one ship has superior medical care to another . Comes down to the patient, the physician, and what symptoms present.

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What's wrong with Columbia medical school? It's ranked #6 for internal medicine among US schools, and #11 for research.

 

I thought they meant the country of Columbia. I could be wrong, though.

 

Roz

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I am a retired RN, and cruise with Princess. I have had occasion to see the ship's physician on a few occasions and have always been very satisfied with their expertise. Most have not been from the US, but their knowledge and skills have been solid.

I have used those visits as an opportunity to chat up the RNs and EMTs who also work in the ship's medical center, and learned that, at least on Princess, all medical crew must be ACLS certified, which means they are well prepared to manage most any emergency situation. The ship's medical centers are equipped much like a land based ER would be to care for emergencies, or to at least provide medical support for serious ailments until the patient can be gotten to a hospital on land.

Thanks for the reply. This is the type of information I was looking for.

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To get back to comments on the OP's article.

 

Different cruise lines employ the doctors on different terms & conditions. The ships also have multiple doctors. We have cruised mostly with Princess and most of their Senior Doctors are company employees and have extensive emergency medical experience. The junior, or commonly called "Baby Docs" could be contractors or employees and probably have less experience than the senior doc. In my days working on the ships, the senior doc treated passengers and baby doc looked after the crew.

 

I know other cruise lines hire doctors for a single or couple of cruises. Not sure how NCL hire their docs. My best guess is that this would have been a baby doc and may only have treated the crew.

 

In addition to questioning the doc, I would also question the RN. DW is a retired emergency RN from a major trauma hospital, but when I worked on the ships she was a newly graduated RN and although she inquired about cruise ship work, at the time she didn't have the emergency medical experience required. The cruise ship RN's, at least on Princess, require a number of years experience in emergency medicine/acute care. The RN should have known the medication was not suitable for IV.

 

DW has met and discussed qualifications/experience with many of the docs & nurses on our various cruises and has always found them highly trained and experienced.

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Did anyone else read the arbitration report? The Columbia trained physician erred badly. NCL would not have been ordered to pay $3.3 million if he hadn't. I'm surprised NCL had to pay, I thought cruise lines passed all such risks onto their contractors.

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To get back to comments on the OP's article.

 

Different cruise lines employ the doctors on different terms & conditions. The ships also have multiple doctors. We have cruised mostly with Princess and most of their Senior Doctors are company employees and have extensive emergency medical experience. The junior, or commonly called "Baby Docs" could be contractors or employees and probably have less experience than the senior doc. In my days working on the ships, the senior doc treated passengers and baby doc looked after the crew.

 

I know other cruise lines hire doctors for a single or couple of cruises. Not sure how NCL hire their docs. My best guess is that this would have been a baby doc and may only have treated the crew.

 

In addition to questioning the doc, I would also question the RN. DW is a retired emergency RN from a major trauma hospital, but when I worked on the ships she was a newly graduated RN and although she inquired about cruise ship work, at the time she didn't have the emergency medical experience required. The cruise ship RN's, at least on Princess, require a number of years experience in emergency medicine/acute care. The RN should have known the medication was not suitable for IV.

 

DW has met and discussed qualifications/experience with many of the docs & nurses on our various cruises and has always found them highly trained and experienced.

Thanks for the informative reply.

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I feel lucky to be alive after the poor treatment received by a ship’s doctor. I was left onboard for 2 days with an obstructed esophagus. Should have been med-vaced off. But the MD on board didn’t think it was serious enough. Ended up spending 5 days in the hospital back home after surgery in St. Thomas. Truly scary. My experience, you go to them for bandaids...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Having read this article I now wonder about the qualifications of cruise ship doctors. This happened on the Norwegian Breakaway and the doctor is described as a "young, inexperienced, Columbia-trained physician". The doctor described in the article seems totally inept. I guess it's folly to expect that highly trained physicians from top medical schools would be found working on cruise ships, but one wonders - what are the typical qualifications of cruise ship doctors?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/09/14/cruise-ship-doctors-error-led-to-workers-arm-amputation-lawsuit-claims.html

We were on Norwegian Gems maiden voyage out of Dover October 2007.

My father in law was in remission at the time for prostate cancer.

During the voyage he got a total blockage and the South African surgeon on board fitted a catheter and saved his life.

Sadly he died 9 months later with prostate cancer.

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Did anyone else read the arbitration report? The Columbia trained physician erred badly. NCL would not have been ordered to pay $3.3 million if he hadn't. I'm surprised NCL had to pay, I thought cruise lines passed all such risks onto their contractors.

 

While you are correct concerning malpractice, this was a case where the IMO's Manila Convention (MLC 2006) comes into play, regarding workplace conditions for the crew, and that the ship owner is responsible for proper medical care for crew injured or ill while on the ship. This is regardless of whether that medical care is provided onboard or on shore.

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My one experience was very positive: accurate diagnosis, lab work, doctor's time and two medications: $160! The doctor and his staff were comprehensive and very pleasant.

 

I think it is unfair to expect any doctor on a ship to expertly handle situations that require a specialist.

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