Thoughts on Orthopaedics 4

Another nonchalant mentor -.-

The first mentor, of course, was in General Surgery. Our first conversation went like this:

'Hello, is this doctor ____? My name is Chiawyee, and I am calling on behalf of group 39. We are attached to you for 4 weeks. Is it possible for us to meet you?'

'..... Why?' (by the way, this is expressed in a genuinely puzzled tone)

What a deep question. I fumbled clumsily over the other side of the line in sheer panic, but as these things often go, with practice, you get better.

Then, in ttsh:

'Hi, Mr____, I am chiawyee, a third year medical student attached to you for four weeks. I was just wondering if i could meet--'

'Call Dr ___. I'm on leave now.'

'Oh. Okay.'

*Flips through long contact list to hunt for said doctor.*

'Hi Dr ____, this is chiawyee, a third year medical student. I am attached to your team for three weeks, so I thought perhaps we could--'

'Oh. Have you called Dr _____?'

'Sorry? Dr _____?'

'Yes,' said the doctor on the other line patiently. 'Mr ____ is the consultant, I am the associate consultant, and Dr ____ is my registra.'

For those who are not aware of the hierarchy, it goes like this:

consultant > associate consultant> registra> Medical officer> house officer>>>> medical student.

I had a visual image of myself being thrown down the ladder.

'Actually, sir,' i said lightly. 'Mr ____ asked me to contact you.'

I sensed resignation over the other side of the line. Hierarchy triumphs all in Medicine. Even planktons can use it to their advantage sometimes.

'Oh.... okay.'

And, as I moved to SGH, i made the customary phone call one more time.

'Hi Dr _____, i am chiawyee, a third year medical student attached to you for four weeks.'

'....Oh.'

Three seconds passed. I started again.

'So.... I thought I should call you, you know, just in case you want to have a look at me?' If interested?, but I didn't say that aloud.

'Oh,' said the voice in realisation. 'Oh.' In resignation. 'Yea, sure, i have clinics now, so--'

'Excellent sir, I am free now, so I will there. See you in a while.'

My luck with tutors is phenomenal -.-