Imagine for a moment the sensitive nature of this moment. The clinician having chosen such a profession must understand the emotional demands of his or her job. He or she must balance an instinctual sympathetic attitude toward the patient with the medical experience and knowledge that points to a miserable future for the baby. In this episode of ER, there exist a third party, a physician who enters briefly to check-out the preterm birth. This role has not been clearly defined in medicine.
Scientific investigation is needed to advance the understanding of medicine.
Furthermore, the investigative mindset and attitude is appropriate for the profession of medicine to the same degree that compassion and sympathy is appropriate. However, when the physician wishes to expand his or her knowledge while in the clinical setting, attitudes may need to be rearranged. The transition between clinical attitude and scientific attitude may be difficult for a physician yet this does not excuse disrespectful behavior. At this juncture in the story, it may be useful to enter the setting itself and examine some statistical data surrounding pre-term births. After all, it is the statistical data that will shape and solidify the nature of the experience and the decision making process.