ABSTRACT
Trygve Braatøy discovered the interplay between tense muscles, respiration and nervosity, which resulted in the now widely recognised psyhomotoric physiotherapy, the first cornerstone of his work. Braatøy was one of the first Norwegian physicians who focused on understanding the doctor-patient relationship. This became the second cornerstone of his work. His care and respect for his patients is indeed a leitmotif in his life and writings. After psychoanalytic training in Berlin and several years in private practice, he served as chief physician in the Department of Psychiatry at Ullevaal Hospital from 1946 to 1952, resigning that year from his post to write Pasienten og laegen (The Patient and the Physician), a protest against alienation in the doctor-patient relationship induced by prevailing attitudes in the hospital system.
Subject(s)
Physician-Patient Relations , Physicians/psychology , Psychiatry/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Male , Minnesota , Norway , Physical Therapy Modalities/history , Physicians/history , Psychoanalysis , Psychomotor PerformanceABSTRACT
The case records of 300 patients who were lobotomized, and 19 patients who had stereotaxic brain surgery during the period 1941-72 at Gaustad Hospital have been studied. The investigation shows that the practice of lobotomy was quite widespread. During the 1950s, lobotomy was carried out on broader indications than normally thought to be the case. Relatives were usually asked for their consent, but the information they received was often questionable. Many of the operations were fatal, particularly in the initial years, and this result can be traced to one specific surgeon.
Subject(s)
Hospitals, Psychiatric/history , Psychosurgery/history , Adult , Female , History, 20th Century , Hospitals, Psychiatric/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Informed Consent/history , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/surgery , Middle Aged , Norway , Prognosis , Psychosurgery/methods , Psychosurgery/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
In 1991 the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs appointed a Commission of Inquiry, precipitated by a heated public debate on lobotomy. A group of four psychiatrists studied the case records of 300 patients lobotomized at Gaustad Hospital. The main review by the medical group focused on the high mortality rate during the 1940s. Also, surgery was done on broader indications than officially recommended, and the information given to the next of kin was often questionable. Since the obligation of the psychiatric profession also involves involuntary treatment, particular caution should be exercised in administering new methods. It is important to ensure control and critique by society. Ethical considerations should be integrated into quality control.
