The Doctor Becomes the Patient

Like many doctors, part of what inspired me to go into medicine was spending a considerable amount of time on the wrong side of the doctor-patient relationship (that being the patient of course). Before medical school, that would make me a normal patient. Once you get some medical training, the term normal patient never applies to you. Ask anyone in the medical field. Doctors are the worst patients. Very few can handle such a drastic role change. One day you are making life or death decisions (OK, slightly exaggerated) on sick patients and the next you're asking the nurse if you can "use the potty." Quite the role reversal there. I've seen physicians-turned-patient argue with nursing staff about how they gave daily stool softeners 15 minutes too early. We really are a crazy bunch.

I've taken care of many of these patients before, and the key is let them make decisions. I'm not talking about letting them treat themselves but giving options whenever possible. They will be much more likely to go along with you if they feel that they're participating in their own care. Being given multiple options for how and where to urinate may seem trivial, but it may be what holds together the psyche of some of the most neurotic people you will ever meet (I know, I'm one of them). The fun part is that the patient usually knows exactly what you are doing. They have likely treated other patients like this themselves. You can usually share a good laugh with them once you get their initial anxiety under control. Good physicians are fairly self aware. Part of what makes them good is the ability to perfect every detail of what they do. That includes being able to "poo poo in the potty."

In other news, life is busy at the HumorMD household. We have recently had a new addition, which we are very proud of. HumorMD Jr. and I had some quality time last night. We discussed diagnosing a STEMI (type of heart attack), and he's already an expert. Maybe we'll add world renowned physician to his previously mentioned athletic prowess. I just feel bad for the other kids getting compared to him...