Republic of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bicol University
Legazpi City

Title An Unthinkable Tragedy: A Case Study Analysis

:
Name Trisha Faye P. Ortega Level: BSN Date: August 16, 2020
: 2A

Case:

A young man enters pilot training and needs to take a leave of absence owing to
mental health issues, which he describes as “burnout.” Following therapy, he is allowed
to return to his studies and completes the course. After graduation he applies for a
position with a small regional air- line, fully disclosing his previous problems. He
completes the application and health examinations and is found to be fit for service and
employed. He again begins to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts and seeks
professional outpatient care. Although as a pilot he is required by professional duty to
self-report any health condition to his employer that would restrict his ability to perform
his duties, he fails to do so. As a result, the unthinkable occurs, and he crashes his plane,
killing himself, the crew, and all the passengers.

The health care providers in this case knew that the young pilot was having
difficulties that would preclude him from flying a plane and, therefore, had given him a
note providing him a medical release from duty that day. However, given the level of
professionalism of his duties, and the need for personal privacy and medical
confidentiality, the established process called for self-reporting, which the pilot did not
do.

1. Given the nature of his work and his condition, should the health care providers
have reported this to his employers and not depended on him performing his
professional duty of self-reporting?

No, the health care providers should not have reported the condition to his
employers. They would need to depend on him performing his professional duty of
self-reporting. As stated, it is the patient’s duty to inform his employer about his
condition. It is not the duty of the health care providers to report to the employers.
Also, it would violate the need for personal privacy and medical confidentiality of the
patient.

The patient sought professional outpatient care and not occupational health care.
Furthermore, they are not in the same institution. So, it would be beyond the scope of
the healthcare providers. It is the responsibility of the patient to report to his employer
and disclose his conditions.

2. Would you be willing to generalize your decision to other positions such as bus
drivers and train engineers?

Yes, whatever position they may have it is the patient’s duty or the family to
disclose the condition to the employer. Unless, they were checked by an occupational
health care provider or worked in the same institution.

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Republic of the Philippines
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bicol University
Legazpi City

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