On the phone
I went to work one hour before the start of my clinic to do some paperwork and review the list of patients, and allocate them for appropriate level of review. With COVID19 affecting how we perform medicine I had a mixture of virtual and in-person reviews. Some virtual reviews were decided by the clinician (us) and others were complete patient’s choice given that no one these days would like to be exposed unnecessarily to the virus!
Various age groups and different needs are represented in the clinic which makes it enjoyable. I enjoy all my consultations (normally – exception of 3 in my whole 11 years of NHS experience) but some of them are exceptionally amusing to me. I had a lady today telling me on the phone the story of all the related and unrelated symptoms (thankfully, given that some of her symptoms could be related to an undiagnosed cancer that I managed now to highlight to her responsible doctor to review) in a funny way that we both ended laughing at some points and she sealed the call with a prayer for me that lifted my heart up “I wish you health, wealth and happiness!”. She did not see me but I could feel my furthest teeth exposed with a big smile given that it is almost exactly what I did write as what I wish for myself this year and the years to come “Healthy, wealthy and free!”. I have written it and saved it as a wallpaper for my mobile screen and printed it and pinned it to my vision board (courtesy to my sister and Jack Canfield for convincing me that a vision board is one of the ways forward!).
Another call with a father and his son, the son being the patient. I remember when I saw them a few weeks back. I loved the bond between them and saw it as exceptional given that the boy is a teenager at an age that make him revolutionary. So concerned about his son, I had the privilege to reassure them both. One of the joys of doing medicine is having the knowledge and skills to help people get better and having the information and mean to reassure people. And one of my most pleasurable games I play with myself is trying to make the patient leave the room happier, more comfortable and reassured compared to before they come in. It brings me and my patients joy and feeling of reward!
But, I do admit that I like to see people in person and to bond with them. And to see their story told without words. You can tell a lot by the way a person walks into a room. Do they look happy and comfortable? Are they worried and concerned? Did they have a good night sleep? Are they able to hold themselves up or are they needing aid? How much could they do for themselves? Do they care about their appearance? Do they need help? Do they have the help with them? And when you speak to them in person you could see if they understand you and if they are comfortable with what you say. You can of course as well make diagnoses easier and more readily than talking on a phone or via a video.
Many other patients and I was very lucky that they were all grateful and left the room happier.
I had to go through the cases seen by my junior colleague and discuss with her the plans before I review another patient whom I had to call the evening before to come urgently for a review, a blood test and an electrocardiogram. I am so lucky to be working in this place because all people I work with are helpful and the facility makes it simpler to give the best we can to our patients. Satisfied with what all offered today, I finished the clinic stress-free before joining a joint meeting from all our clinics to discuss difficult and interesting cases.
I had a break that enabled me to do my prayers and bring some food to the office before I join my nurse colleague to review results of another 35 patients. My colleague was an angel sent to me to relieve my workload given that I could review the notes of many patients and make decisions about these patients in less than 2 hours instead of me going through only a few and doing their letters for the same time. This session has enabled us to prioritise and identify patients requiring further reviews.
It is just after 5, we are still in the meeting but my phone started ringing. My mother calling and some friends sending messages needing to talk. I joked with my colleague “somehow it seems that I am a very important person today”. I promised to call later.
My planned evening reading did not take place since my time was spent on phone with family and friends (not guilty of making some of the call). I must say I multi-tasked. Organised my place, prepared my meal, and ate it while on phone and later with the last call just as I climbed into my bed allowing me to apply the lotion on my skin while I talk with a friend who is a doctor in another hospital telling me about her difficult but also funny week. She is a dear friend and I might one day tell some of our shared stories.
I think this is enough for tonight! I did not tell the whole story of the day but at the end I am happy and fulfilled!
Good night and I wish you sweet dreams!
shetellsastory 