The bane of my life.

Studying in a little town has the disadvantage that when you are not studying you do not have much else to do. The cell phone was a constant companion in these bleak times of boredom. This instrument which was my second heart in student life has now become the bane of my life. Every ring brings a fear. A gripping fear. The person on the other side is one who is convinced a visit to the doctor is an absolute no no, wants treatment over the phone. now for a writer with an adequate repertoire of words this task of conveying your illness may be easy but for the lay man, well lets me just replay a conversation. (in brackets are my thoughts)

"Hello"

"good morning doctor" (3.00am)

"Uncle is having bowel movements"

"Hmmm"(whose uncle)

"you remember shoba athai had once last month, like that only"

"hmmm"

"can i give the same medication, the round white tablet"

"hmmm"

"if there is any problem ill bring uncle"

"why not bring him now only and i can decide"

"no no this tablet will work doctor. Thank you doctor. hope i dint disturb you"

"Good night"

"and doctor shall i continue my medicine"

"yes please do"

All Jokes aside i hope that no serious patient ever calls me with similar complaints.

In fact we are planning to get a new point in the Hippocratic oath

"though shall not consult over the instrument of evil"

The gold mine that is experience

I had a rather eye opening experience. My patient yesterday was a doctor herself and more to the point a senior of mine. Qualification wise we are on equal standing. The glaring difference though was that she sat on the patients side of the table. She, like a lay patient, presented her case and got the treatment. For those of you who are wondering why a qualified doctor did not treat herself and instead had to consult someone else the answer lies in the title. Experience. Qualification wise she may have been my equal but the fact that i practice actively made me more experienced and better adapted at treating her. The fact is medicine is a hands on job, because irrespective of how many books you have read and what your standing in academics it is the day to day practice which shapes us as good and bad doctors. So next time you see your doctor with a lot more salt than pepper coloured hair remember it is only an indication of the gold mine.

(now those who read this will be saying since i am so young and relatively inexperienced should they consult me. i satisfy myself with the fact that i have more patients that readers)