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)