You Really Ought to Know

June 13, 2011, 9:50 pmDoctor Psychobabble4 comments

“Many is a word that only leaves you guessin’,
Guessin’ ’bout a thing you really ought to know.
You really ought to know.
I really ought to know.”

- Led Zeppelin, “Over the Hills and Far Away”

Couch Surfin

Just got home from being on call all day long in medicine. Saw a lot. Did a lot. Some stuff learned/observed:

1. It’s somewhat ironic that I still have a bad cough and keep admitting patients with HIV, rule out tuberculosis.

2. Sometimes being a good doctor means recognizing important signs/symptoms. Sometimes it means coming up with a good treatment plan. Sometimes it means stealing sandwiches from the refrigerator for them.

3. A good medical student is an intern’s best friend.

4. Sometimes humor is seriously the best medicine.

5. Antimicrobacterial hand gel really hurts when you have a papercut on your hand.

Couch Surfin

6. Never believe everything a patient says. Never dismiss anything a patient says.

7. Caffeine is an intern’s best friend.

8. Psychiatric patients are the best, I don’t care what other docs say.

9. When in a pinch, a latex glove on a stethoscope can be a good idea.

10. Patients appreciate when you check in on them more than you need to.

11. Vaseline shouldn’t be so difficult to obtain in a hospital.

It’s dinner, shower, and sleep time!

Photos: Taken on my walk to the hospital today. Discarded sofas make me happy.

Part of My “Trash Talkin” Photo Series

  • Your son

    6. Never believe everything a patient says. Never dismiss anything a patient says.You can also replace the word patient with person and have it still be true. Sometimes people lie and sometimes people are just wrong, but sometimes people are honest and right at the same time even if we don’t know it.

    • Anonymous

      true. and by true, i mean very true!

  • Your son

    6. Never believe everything a patient says. Never dismiss anything a patient says.You can also replace the word patient with person and have it still be true. Sometimes people lie and sometimes people are just wrong, but sometimes people are honest and right at the same time even if we don’t know it.

    • http://doctorpsychobabble.com Dr. Psychobabble

      true. and by true, i mean very true!