This is what makes a good doctor

In the medical field, it is said that July, not April, is the cruelest month. It even has a name, the July Effect. In June, hospitals hum and smoothly operate after a year of working out the kinks. In July, they welcome, or dread, the arrival of new recruits: newly minted physicians and medical students, eager to prove themselves, yet raw and untrained. For me, as a senior resident, it is the best time, when the memories of my intern year meet a desire to teach and to mentor this fledgling group. During a teaching session where the interns are quick to flaunt their knowledge by reciting lists of medical facts, one medical student asks me a striking question: Is this what makes a good doctor? This question follows me as I head to my clinic. My first patient walks through the door. A 56-year-old gentleman who has high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, greets me with a solid handshake and a booming “Hello Dr. Chan!” You can hardly notice that he had a stroke a year ago. The strength in his right leg has returned, and he looks fit after months of physical therapy and exercise. We chat about how life is going. He has returned full time to his job as an air conditioning repairman. It turns out he is also training students. “Sometimes they don’t know the practical aspects of the job” he laments. “But I have a surprise for you doc, I’ve finally quit smoking!” he exclaims, and I look at him, beaming. We had spent many visits talking about his smoking. Bas...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Cancer Source Type: blogs