In clinic today I saw one of Dr. B’s patients. I grabbed the chart, went to see the patient, and came back to present to Dr. B.
After 3 weeks at my site I have managed to avoid seeing any of Dr. B’s patients. Let’s just say that Dr. B is rough around the edges and his vocal chords have a propensity to produce very loud noise when speaking to people. He is also over 60 years old and looks like he could be your grandfather.
Anyways, while presenting my patient to him, I mentioned that my patient had experienced dark red blood in her stool for “months.” The conversation then continued like this:
Dr B: Months? What do you mean months?!? Is it 2 months or 200 months? It matters!
Me: Right (while nodding my head. He is right, after all. I have nothing about which to argue.)
Dr. B: In medicine, the details matter. Are you married?
Me: No
Dr. B: Do you have a girlfriend?
Me: Not at the moment.
Dr. B: Well when you get a girlfriend you ask, “Do you have a lot of money?” She says yes, and then your next question is, “How much?” See? The details matter!
Me: (Nodding my head)
Point taken. The details matter. Got it, coach!
