Dr. Sij Hemal, a second-year medical resident, found himself in a remarkable situation during a flight in December 2017 that he will never forget. Returning from his friend's wedding in India, Hemal boarded an Air France flight from Paris to New York City, with a layover in JFK before heading to Cleveland. Little did he know that this ordinary journey would soon turn into a high-stakes medical emergency.
The Reality of "Is There a Doctor on Board?" Calls: Medical Professionals Share Their Experiences
As the aircraft cruised at 35,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, Hemal heard a flight attendant's urgent announcement: "Is there a doctor on board?" Sitting beside him was Dr. Susan Shepherd, a pediatrician from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). According to CNN, the two doctors quickly volunteered to assist. Led by the flight attendant, Hemal reached the distressed passenger, a woman in her early 40s, complaining of back and abdominal pain. Her revelation that she was pregnant heightened the urgency of the situation. With no nearby airport for an emergency landing, Hemal and Shepherd had to act swiftly to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
Over the next few hours, the doctors provided care, keeping the passenger stable. Suddenly, she began experiencing contractions, and her waters broke. Hemal, a urology resident who had limited experience delivering babies, found himself leading the medical efforts. Despite the challenging circumstances, he successfully delivered a healthy baby with the assistance of Shepherd and the Air France cabin crew. Upon landing at JFK, the mother and child were safely transferred to a nearby hospital while Hemal hurried to catch his connecting flight to Cleveland. Reflecting on the intense experience, Hemal reaffirmed his commitment to his profession, stating that helping those in need was the reason he became a doctor.
The scenario of an inflight medical emergency with the iconic "is there a doctor on board?" announcement is not merely a Hollywood cliché. It is a reality that medical professionals often face during their travels. While flight attendants receive first-aid training, they sometimes require the expertise of onboard doctors. For doctors like Hemal, the transition from being an ordinary passenger to a healthcare provider is not too challenging. People frequently seek their medical advice even when they are off duty, so stepping up to assist in an inflight emergency feels like a natural extension of their role. However, not all medical professionals feel comfortable responding to such situations due to fear or a lack of familiarity with the unique environment of an airplane.
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Beyond Hollywood: Real-Life Doctors Respond to the Call for Help on Airplanes
Doctors who choose to help during inflight emergencies often sign "Good Samaritan agreements" to protect themselves from potential litigation. Additionally, the Aviation Medical Assistance Act in the US shields individuals from legal liability when aiding in onboard medical emergencies. While doctors acknowledge the risks involved, they are driven by a sense of duty to assist if they can.
Dr. Lauren Feld, a US-based gastroenterologist, emphasizes the importance of basic life support training for the general public. While passengers should alert flight attendants if a medical emergency occurs, those with first aid knowledge can take vital steps, such as checking the person's pulse and initiating chest compressions, while awaiting professional assistance.
Responding to in-flight emergencies presents unique challenges for doctors. Without access to a patient's medical history, they must assess the situation and identify the most serious conditions first. The limited availability of medical equipment onboard further complicates matters. Moreover, the aircraft environment, with its pressure differential and engine noise, can affect treatments and diagnostics.
Despite the difficulties, doctors stress the importance of teamwork in these situations. Cooperation among medical professionals, flight attendants, and ground medical teams is crucial for a successful outcome. Hemal recalls the remarkable camaraderie among a group of strangers from various backgrounds on the transcontinental flight who were bound together by a common desire to assist.
While doctors who assist during inflight emergencies may occasionally receive small tokens of appreciation, such as flight vouchers or air miles, their main motivation remains the opportunity to save lives and provide care. For Hemal, the experience was humbling and served as a learning curve, teaching him to focus on his patients and not worry about others' reactions.
Despite the attention he received at the time, Hemal remains committed to his profession and is willing to help others in need whenever the opportunity arises. As he states, if he doesn't help, no one else will, and doing his best is the guiding principle he lives by. In the end, doctors like Hemal and Feld embody the spirit of selflessness and dedication that characterizes the medical profession, even at 35,000 feet above the ground.
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