Always ask your patient this one thing

8:00 a.m.: Monday mornings are abhorred by almost everyone, but they are gloomier if you work as an intern. For me, this Monday was an anticipated work-free day — hence, it wasn’t too bad. I had spent a long time at breakfast catching up with friends and later grabbed my books and went to the library to catch up on my studies. This happiness was short lived. And in the afternoon, I was called to assist the clinics and a day of no work turned into a workday again. 2:30 p.m.: I grabbed coffee, rushed to the clinics and began my job of taking a detailed history of the patient. The patient was a twenty-year-old girl who didn’t talk much and replied mostly in a yes or no. I started my usual work, asked her questions about her disease, did a thorough examination and the hardest part of listing possible differentials and chalking out a plan for treatment. I did my work, stepped out of the room and discussed the case with a senior to be sure of my diagnosis, and I began brainstorming about the possible things about which I could be questioned. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Hospital-Based Medicine Pediatrics Source Type: blogs