Its been a very intense few weeks with some very sick people coming through the office. Hopefully, I've done all the right things for them. Most of what we do in medicine is listen, at least it should be our main job. Sometimes all that can be done for a patient or for anyone is to listen. Close the chart and pay attention to what they are saying. There's time for writing notes later. That brief appointment may be the most important part of someone's day. It could change the course of their life.
People are not an accumulation of their symptoms, they are the best written novel you've ever had in your hands. Even more interesting: when they come to my exam room I become part of their story. All the elements are there; birth, love, disappointment, joy, struggle, fear, courage and death. What more could you want. Of course, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty.
But I like that kind of thing.
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