Not Seen On TV

February 25, 2011, 6:06 pmDoctor Psychobabble12 comments

For all of you out there who think that being a doctor is similar to what you’d see on Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, or House, I thought I’d share a little secret.

Let me use an experience from today as an example.

Part of My

An episode of Grey’s Anatomy would go something like this….Patient has some strange symptoms…close up to doctor performing a spinal tap…cut to doctor finding out that patient has some bizarre disease based on the results, which probably appear on a huge, flatscreen in front of them…shock and awe and excitement!

Now for my real life experience.

Patient has some not so strange symptoms. They need a lumbar puncture. I search for 20 minutes in the clean room to find the LP kit, sterile gloves, and other supplies. I find out from the nurse that I need to fill out 10 pages of paperwork in order to perform the procedure. The LP takes almost an hour. I find out that the spinal fluid needs to be hand delivered if I want it to get run correctly. I walk very far to chemistry. They tell me to go to hematology. I walk far to hematology. They take a sample and send me to microbiology. They take a sample and send me to parasitology. They take a sample and tell me I need to go back to hematology. They take a sample and tell me I have to go back to chemistry. I get lost outside for a while in the rain (carrying a biohazard bag with spinal fluid in it). I finally drop off the last sample at chemistry. I find out later that I need to fill out a special form to get one of the labs. I fill out the form but the fax machine isn’t working. I find another fax machine. Finally, labs sent. Then, hours later, I pull up the results on a not so fancy computer. Still, no finite diagnosis. I am tired.

Part of My

That’s actually the short version of how things went for me today. Not that I’m really complaining. I’ve realized in my 8 months of being a doctor that my actual time spent with patients is minimal. I spend most of my time filling out forms and documenting.

Someone should really produce a show on TV about what it’s really like to be a doctor. But then again, I doubt anyone would want to watch it. :)

Photos: Taken on my walk to the hospital today. Also, not seen on TV.

Part of My “Trash Talkin” Photo Series

  • MrDarkstorm

    When I worked in a lab CSF has to be hand delivered. That being said, all those places you had to take them to were all in the same place and once you dropped it off, given you had the order on you. The specimen processor, which was my job, would take care of the rest. At least you like walking.

  • http://npodyssey.blogspot.com/ NP Odyssey

    So true. When patients ask me about working in a hospital I tell them it is not like any soap opera parody of what they see on TV in make believe hospitals. Although, I do love to joke around when I can, a little like Scrubs, because you need to keep your co-workers and patients from getting too stressed.

    After all that running around probably no need for a jog. The lawyers and people who have no actual contact with patients have done a good job of making sure paperwork and documentation to cover the hospital ass comes first, then we can worry about patient care.

  • http://talesoftheeasyrider.blogspot.com Sonia

    haha…very true. It’s not as glamorous, and we don’t get to do as much “fun” stuff as they do, always say. Still, I can’t deny that it DOES have its own dramatic moments. :-)

  • http://www.northcoaststables.com Jon

    When I used to watch “House” the doctors were up all night doing their own lab work! That was hilarious!

  • Sayeh

    Lol! This is so true. We don’t live glamorous lives. Heck, we barely have a life. Tell my why I analogy surgery again??????;)

  • Sayeh

    Ok spell check auto error! Insert” I am doing surgery” erase analogy!

  • http://www.TheseScrubs.com Doug S

    You just burst my innocent bubble. What about the spontaneous sex in the supply room…is that a myth too?

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  • Dr. Psychobabble

    soooooooooo true. i think the fact that i like walking made it all somehow okay, and actually rather hilarious. :) also, cool that you were a specimen processor!!

  • Dr. Psychobabble

    yes, while there is more “crap time” than people may imagine, the dramatic moments are definitely there as well! :)

  • Victoria

    There is a series on UK tv (BBC3) at the moment which is following real life first and second year doctors in a British hospital for 3 months. Called Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands. It still glosses over quite a lot of stuff, but manages to be a lot more realistic than soaps, and does show some of the mundane drudgery.

  • Dr. Psychobabble

    Victoria,

    Thanks for the tip…I plan on looking it up. :)