L ast July 3, 2013, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center Quality Assurance committee conduct a lecture for the Nursing Service about Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Ms. Janisha M. Mandara, Ms. Analiza Macas and Mr. Ibrahem Ampa were the assigned lecturer. Munchausen Syndrome is a psychiatric disorder that causes an individual to self-inflict injury or illness or to fabricate symptoms of physical or mental illness, in order to receive medical care or hospitalization. In a variation of the disorder, Munchausen by proxy (MSBP), an individual, typically a mother, intentionally causes or fabricates illness in a child or other person. The lecture primary objective is to support nursing service in identifying patients who sought hospitalization by inventing symptoms and complicated medical histories, and/or inducing illness and injury in themselves. Categorized as a factitious disorder (a disorder in which the physical or psychological symptoms are under voluntary control), repeated simulation of severe organic disease, leading to numerous medical and/or surgical consultations, hospitalizations and unnecessary operations. This pseudodisease affects individuals who create bizarre lesions or fabricate symptoms to enjoy the perceived benefits of hospitalization, as well as the attention and sympathy of others. Individuals with Munchausen by proxy syndrome use their child (or another dependent person) to fulfill their need to step into the patient role.
