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Published on: December 24, 2013
[Factitious disorder and self-mutilation in hand and plastic surgery]
J Sproedt1, A von Campe, M Bonaccio
1Kantonsspital Winterthur, Klinik für Hand- und Plastische Chirurgie, Winterthur, Schweiz. julia.sproedt@ksw.ch
Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie : Organ Der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Handchirurgie : Organ Der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Mikrochirurgie Der Peripheren Nerven Und Gefasse : Organ Der V
|March 6, 2010
Summary
Factitious disorder involving self-mutilation complicates medical treatment for 1-5% of hospitalized patients. Early recognition of patient history is crucial for managing this condition and preventing harm.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
Background:
- Factitious disorder, characterized by self-mutilation, presents significant challenges in medical and surgical settings.
- The prevalence of factitious disorder among hospitalized patients ranges from 1% to 5%.
Observation:
- Patient history often provides critical clues for diagnosing factitious disorder.
- This disorder manifests in various ways, impacting the doctor-patient relationship and treatment approaches.
Findings:
- Effective confrontation techniques and current treatment strategies are essential for managing patients with factitious disorder.
- Clinical case examples from hand and plastic surgery illustrate the complexities of this condition.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of factitious disorder is vital for healthcare professionals to prevent iatrogenic harm and ensure appropriate patient care.
- Understanding the nuances of factitious disorder aids in developing tailored treatment plans across different medical specialties.
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