Photos of drinking, grinning aid mission doctors cause uproar

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

Photos of drinking, grinning aid mission doctors cause uproar
January 29, 2010 7:00 p.m. EST

San Juan, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- A humanitarian mission to aid Haitian earthquake victims turned into a major embarrassment in Puerto Rico on Friday as pictures emerged of doctors drinking, mugging for cameras and brandishing firearms amid the victims' suffering.

The commonwealth's Medical Board called an emergency meeting of its ethics board for Friday afternoon and said it was launching an investigation into whether those involved should be disciplined.

Puerto Rican Secretary of Health Lorenzo Gonzalez called the episode "a sad situation."

"The poor judgment of a few basically damages the beautiful effort that many others have put in place in terms of providing good medical care," Gonzalez said. "When I saw the pictures, I was very concerned that they have taken pictures of people without any consent."

Some of the photos, which were posted on the social networking site Facebook, show smiling doctors holding guns or toasting each other, bottles of scotch or other alcohol in their hands. Others show medical personnel in what appears to be a clinic, grinning as they attend to patients. Another shows a quake victim on a hospital bed, naked from the waist down except for a thin strip of cloth covering the genitals.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/29/haiti.puerto.rico.doctors/index.html

[naaman fletcher]

1. By all means just because the Haitian's are suffering the people donating their time and effort.

should not be allowed to relax.

/sarcasm.


Let those doing the criticism go to Haiti in place of these awful volunteers.

[Hello_Kitty]

2. Seriously. eom

[appal_jack]

3. word.

If I ever have to help out in a situation as grim as that, I know that I would appreciate a stiff drink at the end of the work day.

I take my scotch neat, btw.

-app

[Mojorabbit]

59. Perhaps

but you cannot ethically post pictures of poorly draped patients on your social website. As a retired nurse I am appalled at that.

[sendero]

6. Exactly..

.. WTF is wrong with people.

[Edweird]

9. I don't disagree with you, however I think a little discretion would serve them well.

Give it a little time and distance before you post it for all the world to see.

[naaman fletcher]

11. Oh I agree. /nt

[Beartracks]

20. People who are NOT in these hot spots...

... will ALWAYS find a molehill to make a mountain out of.

[Edweird]

23. A little class is never a bad thing, and showing a little respect for others dire circumstances

and great personal loss won't kill you either. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to blow off steam. Just don't be conspicuous about it.
For the record, I'm a lineman. I get called when the power goes out. I know guys that are in Haiti right now, setting some stuff up - government contract. They aren't going to be posting any pictures on facebook that will make them look like dicks.

Of course, when we do storm work, we put in 16 hour days. That doesn't leave much time for tomfoolery. Maybe these people need more of a workload.

[Beartracks]

52. I agree completely.

What I meant was that BECAUSE folks who aren't there don't necessarily understand the rigors and the need for decompression, they will assume evidence of ANY "fun" means that the workers are automatically uncaring, unfit for duty, dicks, etc. -- and that alone is a great reason for the workers to exercise a lot of discretion.

I work indirectly with line crews. You guys DO put in hellacious hours, and are always willing to suit up and go to the scene of devastation and get the lights back on. Bravo!

[Abacus]

33. yep. /nt

[boppers]

4. There's always a critic.

I'm amused that this is on CNN, who was showing video of near-naked people within days in order to provide a visual impact of the suffering... it's okay on CNN, but not on facebook?

[Socal31]

5. Uproar?

More like a slow news day.

[underpants]

14. There aren't actually photos at the link

:wtf:

I guess someone turned in their 1,000 words for the day

[Judi Lynn]

18. Googled and found some photos.

http://i.cdn.turner.com.nyud.net:8090/cnn/2010/WORLD/americas/01/29/haiti.puerto.rico.doctors/story.haiti.doctors.fb.jpg

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/29/haiti.puerto.rico.doctors/

3 photos, Puerto Rican paper, "El Mundo":
http://www.elmundo.es/america/2010/01/29/noticias/1264781465.html

[Bacchus39]

67. the newspaper is from Spain not PR n/ts

s

[Peace Patriot]

7. Somebody needs to write a Code of Ethics for Facebook, YouTube and people with cell phone cameras.

Really. Great tools. I'm all for the technology--but fragging doctors who are giving medical help in Haiti is going too far. Whoever did it should be shunned.

There are 200,000 DEAD in Haiti, and hundreds of thousands wounded or sick, many of them dying. It is a "Dante's Inferno"! For godssakes, have some COMPASSION for the victims and their aid givers.

Are we supposed to begrudge these doctors a few drinks, or a few laughs, and some stupid jokes, in these horrendous conditions? Who could be so callous? I hope their site gets flooded with condemnation.

[tosh]

19. I'm with you.

I reserve my criticism for the idiot who thought it should be photographed & posted.

:wtf:

[tango-tee]

28. You took the words right out of my mouth....

...or the keyboard, rather. A big WTF from me as well.

[bertman]

29. Thank you, Peace Patriot. Some sanctimonious asshole stepped way out of line

with those photos. It will be interesting to see if that dipshit gets "credit" for his/her perfidy.

[Mika]

70. If these care givers are members of aid NGOs, they should adhere to a code of ethics.

The NGOs that I am a member of would not endorse mugging with guns in pictures that might impact the perception of their overall mission.

While I do not begrudge the caregivers some stress relief during their down time I do begrudge the risk of negative impact that their mugging for pics risks. Just the image of volunteer relief Drs and ancillaries toting guns and mugging with them in thuggish types of pictures is disheartening to those who come to the Haitian people's aid in peace and love.

I simply cannot imagine Operation Smile or Smile Train volunteers doing such an aberrant thing (mugging with guns for pictures amidst devastation and unimaginable heartbreak).


Reminds me of this ..

---

[paulsby]

8. black humor and alcohol in an extremely stressful situation

i can't blame these dr's at all.

[depakid]

10. Puts CNN in a worse light than it does the responders, that's for sure

Not sure how much lower CNN and its ilk can go- but that's beside the point.

[Garbo 2004]

62. CNN's site and other outlets reported what's in Puerto Rico's media...

For example: http://www.primerahora.com/

http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/terremotohaiti/noticias/fotos_de_medicos_puertorriquenos_en_facebook:_¿que_estaban_pensando?/361382

[virgogal]

16. Me neither. I remember old Irish wakes----much laughter and booze between the

tears.

[Plucketeer]

27. I'm with you on this!

How ridiculously easy it is to sit in your comfy office or wherever, and find fault with those in the thick of it. :crazy:

[Paladin]

55. Nice To Agree With You Every Once In A While, Paulsby.... (n/t)

[paulsby]

61. makes me warm and fuzzy nt

[Oregone]

12. Reminds me of a conversation I overheard from Red Cross workers during Katrina

Two were sitting next to me on the plane. They were from a regional group flying in. One was experienced, and was instructed the other on how to always eat in the mess tents (not necessarily meant for them) and catch free meals, and save up the food debit cards for big weekends out at nice restaurants and other purchases. Essentially, she was, without shame, telling the person how to game the system and reward themselves on other people's dime (the cards are meant for all week meal expenses, not parties and shopping sprees). It gave me the impression that this was just how its done and this sort of attitude was wide-spread. I know organizations do good work, but they have their internal problems.

[paulsby]

13. they did a tv show about this kind of stuff

pretty sure it was called M*A*S*H or something.

good movie, too

[Journeyman]

15. "If I did not laugh," said Mr Lincoln, "then I should have to cry" . . .

Who in such stressful, horrific times, would not seek some measure of release -- even those measures the comfortable in their complacency might find offensive?

People do what they must. At least these people have lent a hand and earned their levity . . .

[Ian David]

17. Where would doctors get the idea that laughter and foolishness is acceptable in tragic circumstances

Gallows humor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gallows humor is a type of humor that arises from stressful, traumatic, or life-threatening situations; often in circumstances such that death is perceived as impending and unavoidable. It is similar to black comedy but differs in that it is made by the person affected.

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallows_humor

[HuckleB]

21. +1

[Prometheus Bound]

22. Fucking assholes.

Did they ask for permission from the patients or their families before posting their photos on Facebook?

I doubt it.

That infuriates me.

Others show medical personnel in what appears to be a clinic, grinning as they attend to patients. Another shows a quake victim on a hospital bed, naked from the waist down except for a thin strip of cloth covering the genitals.

[ronnie624]

50. Haitians don't deserve privacy or any of the considerations we would demand for ourselves.

Haitians are like children, and we're kind of like they're father, so it's okay if we see them naked and suffering in a clinic. I hear there's nowhere near enough anesthetic, but they probably can't feel pain anyway.

:sarcasm:

[Prometheus Bound]

78. That's what I felt when I saw some of those photos.

Like they think their patients are sub-human or something, not worthy of respect and dignity.

It's nice to see at least a few people here concerned about the abused rather than the abusers.

[Swagman]

24. people in stressful situations do odd things. I'm not knocking anyone

who is helping the Haitians..they have my full support. And I'd get drunk as well.

[Billsmile]

25. Simpletons Deny Us Humans Our Humanity

Judge away ye of no sins nor humanity. When times are tough real people can use a laugh. Our natural instincts shouldn't be treated as something unnatural.

[Prometheus Bound]

26. They are unethical, disrespectful assholes.

From the OP:
"You can't ever take pictures of patients if you don't have a written agreement and much less publish photos of patients half-nude," the president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons told CNN. Dr. Eduardo Ibarra added, "This is a clear violation of the Hippocratic Oath ... We're going to take all the measures possible to correct this."

[bertman]

30. YOU, Prometheus Bound, are the REAL ASSHOLE here.

[Prometheus Bound]

31. And why is that?

[bertman]

43. Because you apparently have no idea the level of stress that can be generated within an

individual who is working under extreme conditions for long periods of time when lives are in the balance and one's emotions must be stifled. Or maybe you do and you're just so strong that you can deal with that type of situation and still maintain your perfect decorum when the end of the work day arrives.

Read them the regulations. Or better yet, just send them home where they don't have to worry about offending your sensibilities.

[Prometheus Bound]

45. What kind of stress would push doctors to publish nearly nude photos of patients on the web?

How is it that the veritable platoon of doctors from the rest of the world are able to deal with the stress without showing such utter disrespect for their Haitian patients?

What a pathetic excuse for unforgivable behaviour. Stress!

Haiti awash in doctors; nurses in short supply
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/25/haiti.doctors.nurses/index.html

[bertman]

48. Pathetic maybe for you of the iron will. For others, stress can kill or lead to irrational

acts or behavior that they would normally not engage in.

Stress and alcohol combined are a potent mix.

[Homer Wells]

66. Working on the MASH analogy

There does seem to be quite a few of the Frank Burns and Hot Lips Houlihan types here on this thread!

[Prometheus Bound]

32. There's a reason some of them have lost their jobs and careers over this.

"Some of them already lost their jobs," he said. "They're going to lose probably their careers. It's a mess. Only because of some stupidity."

[Prometheus Bound]

34. One of the pictures shows a girl with an amputated leg, naked from the waist down, lying in bed,

And you defend this? What kind of person are you?

[naaman fletcher]

38. Were you reading National Geographic or something?

[Prometheus Bound]

39. It's right there in the OP, though I doubt many here bothered reading past the headline.

If they did read the whole thing I hope they would be ashamed of defending what these people did. There are other articles, u-tube pieces and a number of blogs showing what these people did.

From what I've read so far it seems only people here are excusing their actions.

[naaman fletcher]

41. The only pictures I have actually seen are benign.

As for this story of the naked girl, I would need to see it. Pictures like that are in National Geographic all the time. So, I would need to see the context. Is the context: "Look at me violate the privacy of this dumb ni**er girl"? Or is it documenting for their friends and families what is going on there?

[Prometheus Bound]

42. It's on u-tube and other places but I will not post it here.

Just imagine after all those people have been through. How would those doctors feel if someone posted a similar photo of their daughters on the net!

[ronnie624]

51. *

:thumbsup:

[Mojorabbit]

71. Then you are not in the medical field

As a retired critical care nurse this violates an ethical code. you do not post patient's pictures on a website period and especially not patients that are not modestly draped. You preserve as much dignity for the people you are caring for as possible.

[Tx4obama]

46. CNN has been showing half-nude patients for the past two weeks. n/t

[Prometheus Bound]

49. Well it must be okay then.

From the OP:
"You can't ever take pictures of patients if you don't have a written agreement and much less publish photos of patients half-nude," the president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons told CNN. Dr. Eduardo Ibarra added, "This is a clear violation of the Hippocratic Oath ... We're going to take all the measures possible to correct this."

[LanternWaste]

58. Then I suppose CNN should lose its medical license...

Then I suppose CNN should lose its license to practice medicine.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

69. Hippocratic Oath? Agreed, Hippocrates would have NEVER ...

taken digital photos with his cell phone to post on Facebook.

[Waiting For Everyman]

76. +1

I am constantly amazed at what outlandish things some on DU will excuse or defend.

This "steam-blowing" reminds me of Abu Grahib. It's really pretty creepy, and so is defending it.

[Prometheus Bound]

77. My feeling, exactly.

[M155Y_A1CH]

35. OMG

I heard that every damn one of them was found sleeping
as much once a day!

[jwirr]

36. If they do not take some time to relax they burn out. The people who

are complaining are insensitive.

[DollyM]

37. I have a friend that just got back from Haiti . . .

She went on a mission trip to help at a Children's home there and arrived about an hour before the earthquake hit. She stayed two weeks and came back and said it is as bad as it looks and worse. Yesterday, she was driving down the highway and freaked out over a black bag of trash laying beside the road because it reminded her of a dead body. I am afraid it is going to take a long time for her to come to terms with this experience if she is "seeing" dead bodies beside the road here.
We can only imagine the stress that these people are under and how overwhelmed they must feel. I don't know if drinking is the best answer but we all do things to survive in times of stress and the stress they are under must be extreme. I say, call it a lapse in judgement given the insane conditions under which they are working and give them a break. They will all need counseling and support after they return home to deal with they things they saw and heard and lived.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[w8liftinglady]

47. as a critical care nurse who worked one of the highest acuity hospitals in America..

if it wasn't for the dark humor,I would have gone fucking nuts seeing so much human suffering,and only being able to help some...and yes,I had many young people die.It was sad,tragic..and no crisis intervention,no debriefing...I hope these docs have access to that...especially now that this is a news issue.

[hunter]

54. I used to work with transplant nurses and techs, the ones who removed body parts.

Talk about your "dark humor." But they were some of the most loving, caring, empathetic, and FUNNIEST people I've ever known.

[hunter]

53. Jock Docs make me crazy.

Sports star / straight A students in high school, work hard / party hard in college and medical school, and always obnoxious. If they have any empathy at all I suppose they express it by going on these sorts of missions. Some, on the other hand, may only be in the disaster zone for the adventure.

But hell, most of them are competent body mechanics even if they have the sort of bedside manner that would get them kicked out of veterinary school.

Sorry for the stereotype, but there's a basis to the stereotype.

[Tim01]

56. Those people who are NOT going to Haiti can STFU about those who are. nt

[Prometheus Bound]

64. Those people abused their Haitian patients by posting nearly nude photos on Facebook.

Have those patients not endured enough with having lost limbs, family and homes?

Must they endure this additional indignity because these jerks are feeling stress?

By the way, I didn't hear of any of the doctors mentioning stress. They simply admitted their behavior was wrong and apologized.

[bc3000]

57. The pictures don't look out of the ordinary to me at all

It looks like a group of people having a drink or two to relax, most likely after a long day of helping people. The article made it seem like they were carrying on like a bunch of drunken frat boys

[Garbo 2004]

63. Links to some of the photos on this newspaper site:

http://www.primerahora.com/

The juxtaposition of photos with docs evidently boozing, posing with weapons, holding up condoms and then also posing with a hacksaw & a patient and a semi nude patient don't create a positive impression. These folks were sent by the gov't as a group to represent Puerto Rico medical aid to Haiti and posted this on a website with their group's name. Evidently the Puerto Rican gov't isn't amused that's how they chose to represent themselves and PR on a public web site.

[EFerrari]

72. I don't find the link, Garbo. Where is it located on the page?

tia

[Garbo 2004]

75. Yesterday I couldn't post direct links that would work and now on the upper right hand side of page

there's an article on Fotos de médicos that has some of them. This link appears to work right now:

http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/terremotohaiti/noticias/fotos_de_medicos_puertorriquenos_en_facebook:_asppro_pide_se_investiguen_posibles_amenazas_contra_periodista/361523

[bamacrat]

60. I think they need it. The people they are helping are having a horrible time.

Those trying to help are not directly affected (lost loved ones, home etc) so like all doctors, first responders etc they feel the pain with the people but are ultimately doing a job, a job that is desperately needed. And they are great for doing so, but they need to be able to remove themselves so they can stay sharp in the moment. Not a bad thing, maybe bad PR but that is all.

[TorchTheWitch]

65. DAMN, LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS!

http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/terremotohaiti/noticias/fotos_de_medicos_puertorriquenos_en_facebook:_eduardo_ibarra_pide_disculpas_a_la_comunidad_mundial/361455

Just how the hell did they imagine that putting these on Facebook or taking some of that at all was in any way appropriate???

It's fucking sick.

[Jennicut]

68. I know it can be stressful over there but really, is posing with coffins really necessary?

And what is with the over abundance of firearms?

[Hannah Bell]

73. agree.

[BlueIris]

74. That is...messed up.

The photos, I mean.