Out of the norm question about medical care.

[phrogpilot73]

For some unknown reason, this just popped into my head. I know there's Dr's and a medical department aboard NCL ships. Not that I'm planning to get sick/injured, but we're traveling with good friends (she's an ER Physician, and he's an EMT) who if something were to happen to us - they (especially her) would want to be the ones to treat us. If that was the case, would NCL allow her to use the medical spaces/pharmacy and then charge us for that, vice charging us for the Dr and the treatment?

 

Not a big deal, more curious than anything else.

[david_sobe]

WOW, that is an out of norm question. But I seriously doubt NCL or any doctor's office would allow a passenger who claims to be a doctor treat or prescribe medicine in their office. Huge liablity issue. It would be the same situation on land. Go ask a doctor in your town if your friend can use their office and equipment to treat you. I dont see anyone allowing this. No one knows who your friend is even if he/she could be a legit doctor. But doctors have insurance for their practice. They are not going to allow any such situation.

[sparks1093]

For some unknown reason, this just popped into my head. I know there's Dr's and a medical department aboard NCL ships. Not that I'm planning to get sick/injured, but we're traveling with good friends (she's an ER Physician, and he's an EMT) who if something were to happen to us - they (especially her) would want to be the ones to treat us. If that was the case, would NCL allow her to use the medical spaces/pharmacy and then charge us for that, vice charging us for the Dr and the treatment?

 

Not a big deal, more curious than anything else.

 

You'll have to ask this question onboard and then let us know what the answer was. I tend to think they wouldn't allow it but one never knows.

[phrogpilot73]

WOW, that is an out of norm question. But I seriously doubt NCL or any doctor's office would allow a passenger who claims to be a doctor treat or prescribe medicine in their office. Huge liablity issue. It would be the same situation on land. Go ask a doctor in your town if your friend can use their office and equipment to treat you. I dont see anyone allowing this. No one knows who your friend is even if he/she could be a legit doctor. But doctors have insurance for their practice. They are not going to allow any such situation.

Again, it popped in my head because our know our friend immediately leaps to treat us for anything. It's like a switch that goes off in her head, just the other weekend, I was a bit naseuous, and she started going through a medical evaluation.

 

As for treating out in town at a hospital that's not hers, it is allowed. We ended up at an Emergency Room in VB (she works at an Emergency Room in Williamsburg), and after she identified herself and showed her license - off she went to the treatment room and the ER provided her a NP. She is required by the state of VA to carry her medical license with her at all times, because her hippocratic oath requires her to provide care. She also carries her scrip pad with her all the time as well. So, proving that she's a doctor (and not just some random passenger) would be easy.

 

And actually, there is LESS liability on NCL's part if she were to treat us. We would be treated under her license, and not the NCL's doctors. Plus, she maintains her own malpractice insurance.

 

I probably won't ask onboard, because again - I was just curious. IF something were to happen, no matter what - I know she would escort us, and watch the Dr. like a hawk. That's just the way she is. Hell, if someone was having a heart attack and we happened to be there, I know both her and her husband would immediately start treatment until the ship's staff arrived. She's the kind of Dr. you'd want, she doesn't worry about liability, she just wants to treat. She says "That's what insurance is for."

[TravelDiva88]

I think the issue comes down to the difference between being out of town (but in the same state, or even in the same country as her license) and being in international waters outside of US jurisdiction.

[punkincc]

I believe I have read here about some more complex medical situations in which the ship or hospital physician will call your physician at home to consult because they have your medical history.

 

I would simply identify this person as your "personal physician" should an emergency arise. Even if by law she is unable to hands on treat, I would think her input would carry a great deal of weight with the attending physician.

 

You are very lucky to be traveling with your own personal EMT and doctor! Hope you have a wonderful and trouble free cruise!

[phrogpilot73]

I think the issue comes down to the difference between being out of town (but in the same state, or even in the same country as her license) and being in international waters outside of US jurisdiction.

That's actually a good point. That makes a lot of sense, and I hadn't thought of that.

 

You are very lucky to be traveling with your own personal EMT and doctor! Hope you have a wonderful and trouble free cruise!

Sometimes it's not that great. A simple comment like "I'm a little seasick" would send her down the rabbit hole, to make sure that it's not something serious. She really loves medicine - so I can't fault her.

[ColinIllinois]

And actually, there is LESS liability on NCL's part if she were to treat us.

 

 

That is not a true statement. The ships doctor has the ultimate responsibility for what occurs in the ships medical facilities.

[Budget Queen]

Again, it popped in my head because our know our friend immediately leaps to treat us for anything. It's like a switch that goes off in her head, just the other weekend, I was a bit naseuous, and she started going through a medical evaluation.

 

As for treating out in town at a hospital that's not hers, it is allowed. We ended up at an Emergency Room in VB (she works at an Emergency Room in Williamsburg), and after she identified herself and showed her license - off she went to the treatment room and the ER provided her a NP. She is required by the state of VA to carry her medical license with her at all times, because her hippocratic oath requires her to provide care. She also carries her scrip pad with her all the time as well. So, proving that she's a doctor (and not just some random passenger) would be easy.

 

And actually, there is LESS liability on NCL's part if she were to treat us. We would be treated under her license, and not the NCL's doctors. Plus, she maintains her own malpractice insurance.

 

I probably won't ask onboard, because again - I was just curious. IF something were to happen, no matter what - I know she would escort us, and watch the Dr. like a hawk. That's just the way she is. Hell, if someone was having a heart attack and we happened to be there, I know both her and her husband would immediately start treatment until the ship's staff arrived. She's the kind of Dr. you'd want, she doesn't worry about liability, she just wants to treat. She says "That's what insurance is for."

 

Practicing in Virginia is a whole different story. Would she also be able to practice out of state, or out of the country which essentially a cruise ship is? Probably not likely. IF out of state were allowed, believe me, there would be an extensive verification check done prior to any privileges. Fraud and stolen identity is a very real problem.

[Molokai-Chuck]

And, also ... most on-board doctors, and nurse staff are not NCL ..... they are contracted to work for NCL from a company. So that may muddy up the answer a little more....

[roger001]

I would say absolutely not. The NCL doctor and staff might listen to their thoughts, but certainly not let them use the facilities. Would any hospital away from their home base, in a foreign port or even in the US, permit that . I can't imagine it being approved. My opinion.

[phrogpilot73]

Practicing in Virginia is a whole different story. Would she also be able to practice out of state, or out of the country which essentially a cruise ship is? Probably not likely. IF out of state were allowed, believe me, there would be an extensive verification check done prior to any privileges. Fraud and stolen identity is a very real problem.

Yeah, you're right. More research leads to the fact that most states require a doctor to be licensed in that state to practice medicine (defined by primary diagnosis or treatment), but allow consultation (which seems to be murky) if not licensed in that state - but licensed in another. So the answer is no.

 

Again, I was just curious.

[dalgirl]

I would think that if your Dr. friend accompanied you to the medical facility and the NCL doc knew your friend was a doc then the NCL doc would not have a problem "consulting" with them.

 

I know that when my son had a TMJ problem where his jaw "popped out" - I know, bizarre - he actually told the doc how to put it back in. The doc set his mouth to stay closed and prescribed muscle relaxers and pain meds. He was fine the next day.

 

The on board docs are not experts in everything, but they can treat most common ailments, etc. Your friend could not "take over," (liability issues), but they could certainly monitor your treatment and as in any emergency situation (heart attack, drowning, etc) they could be helpful to any passenger.

[Ilovesailing]

I say an outright NO. Reasons being all hospitals have to grant permission to allow a any licensed Dr. to perform in there hospital. NCL does not know the back ground history of your friend the and therefore would be very liable if something went wrong and there are a million things that could go wrong. He or she may be able to overlook the situation but I doubt that as well.

 

If something happened off ship then its a different senerio till sick person gets back on board or goes to a hospital.

[rbrugler]

Just dont get sick or injured, and it will not be an issue. Also, I am a minister. I hate it when I go someplace on vacation and people ask me to pray. I am not working. I am on vacation. So are your friends.

[lanceholt]

She sounds a little intense. No way would NCL allow her or him to take over their medical facility, and YES there would be enormous liability. It's the same reason a professional chef isn't allowed to go into the galley and fix dinner for his traveling friends. Now, she/he can act as your advocate and let you know if treatment is adequate. If it is anything remotely serious, they take you off the ship for treatment.

[roger001]

Just dont get sick or injured, and it will not be an issue. Also, I am a minister. I hate it when I go someplace on vacation and people ask me to pray. I am not working. I am on vacation. So are your friends.

 

 

Wow. I hope your boss isn't listening. I bet He thinks you're on duty 24/7.

[17pioneer]

As a former Assistant Medical Officer on HAL, there is a requirement known as Credentialing. It involves license verification, insurance verification and several other factors before being allowed to treat anybody on board.

[Novastar]

Maybe it's just me but I am an RN and have many friends in the medical field. Would I want any of them to treat me for a medical problem? Most likely not, unless there were no other resources. I prefer to keep my personal and professional relationships separate!

[kcwingwalker]

As a former Assistant Medical Officer on HAL, there is a requirement known as Credentialing. It involves license verification, insurance verification and several other factors before being allowed to treat anybody on board.

 

Good and common sense answer! Consulting with a patient's physician whether onboard or not is often done wherever you are. But having the patient's physician step in and actively participate in the patient's treatment in a facility where they do not have privileges is just bad medicine and won't be allowed.

 

When my husband became ill on a cruise, the NCL medical staff did communicate with his doctor and received valuable information. As a non medical wife, I could only tell them what I knew about the condition before it became worse. Only his personal physician could tell another physician what the impact of his current condition could be.

[SissasMomE]

Just dont get sick or injured, and it will not be an issue. Also, I am a minister. I hate it when I go someplace on vacation and people ask me to pray. I am not working. I am on vacation. So are your friends.

 

There is NO way you are a minister. Not with that attitude.

[SissasMomE]

Wow. I hope your boss isn't listening. I bet He thinks you're on duty 24/7.

 

Exactly ;)

[kcwingwalker]

There is NO way you are a minister. Not with that attitude.

 

I think you are right! Have never known of a minister who would pass up the opportunity to pray.

[phrogpilot73]

She sounds a little intense. No way would NCL allow her or him to take over their medical facility, and YES there would be enormous liability.

Actually, she's anything but. She's a great friend, very laid back - but again, when it comes to medicine she really does love it that much.

 

I was just curious for curiosity sake. She knows the ins/outs of her license way better than I do, and would probably say "I can't, but I'll go with you and make sure I agree."

 

It was just a discussion with my cube mate (who's going on the Jewel the week after I go on the Epic), and again, was curious for curiosity sake.

[yaletown605]

As a ex-medical officer on Princess Cruises and a current medical director of a Canadian medical centre, the answer would be a resounding no. There is a certain kind of professional respect. I always carry a medical kit with me and treat my friends and family as needed in the privacy of my own space, i.e. cabin, hotel room, home, etc. Of course, if someone fainted and became ill, I would assess him or her. But as a medical professional, one has to step back. Your friend sounds a little intense in all honesty and a bit disrespectful. You wouldn't like it if someone comes into your house and start rearranging your furniture and cooking in your kitchen. There is a huge medical and legal issue involved. In fact, if a pushy doctor accompanies the patient either on a cruise, or ER, or medical centre, I will bluntly tell him or her to leave.