I had a realization today. I interrupt people. I don't think my interruptions were always so... copious.
I remember back in medical school, overnight call. Interviewing new patients in the emergency room. Back then, It could potentially take an hour per patient history. These old people would just ramble and ramble... and ramble... Simply not staying on task. I heard more irrelevant stories than I knew what to do with. I really had to work hard to see three new patients a night.
Fast forward to my intern year. I learned to see 5 new patients a night. I found the same types of rambling tangential thinkers, but I developed one very important skill. I learned to direct them! Cut them off at the tangent, then restart the purposeful train of thought... then, guiding it in for a landing! SUCESS!! By my senior year, I could see 10 people a night!
Fast forward to my career as a hospitalist. Now, I see 12-20 patients in one day. Sometimes four or so are new... and I do all of that in about 10 hours. It really feels good to be able to walk into a room and dig out all of the relevant data that helps me understand their medical situation and thus treatment. All thanks to my training.
There are other aspects to my career that hinder my social skills. Nurses have 4 patients and are on one floor. I have 12-20 patients on about 7 floors. I am in many places at various times. So, it is almost acceptable for a doctor to interrupt to discuss patient care before duty calls the doctor off in another direction.
While these "skills" are fairly acceptable and completely necessary in the hospital, they remain terrible traits and skills for the realm of social interaction. Especially for the one that matters most, my wife.
Vanessa, I am sorry that I interrupt and try to "elicit a history"... please forgive me. Please point it out when I begin to wear my doctor coat in our relationship. I want to hear you... listen to you. I want you to feel valued and heard.
David
I remember back in medical school, overnight call. Interviewing new patients in the emergency room. Back then, It could potentially take an hour per patient history. These old people would just ramble and ramble... and ramble... Simply not staying on task. I heard more irrelevant stories than I knew what to do with. I really had to work hard to see three new patients a night.
Fast forward to my intern year. I learned to see 5 new patients a night. I found the same types of rambling tangential thinkers, but I developed one very important skill. I learned to direct them! Cut them off at the tangent, then restart the purposeful train of thought... then, guiding it in for a landing! SUCESS!! By my senior year, I could see 10 people a night!
Fast forward to my career as a hospitalist. Now, I see 12-20 patients in one day. Sometimes four or so are new... and I do all of that in about 10 hours. It really feels good to be able to walk into a room and dig out all of the relevant data that helps me understand their medical situation and thus treatment. All thanks to my training.
There are other aspects to my career that hinder my social skills. Nurses have 4 patients and are on one floor. I have 12-20 patients on about 7 floors. I am in many places at various times. So, it is almost acceptable for a doctor to interrupt to discuss patient care before duty calls the doctor off in another direction.
While these "skills" are fairly acceptable and completely necessary in the hospital, they remain terrible traits and skills for the realm of social interaction. Especially for the one that matters most, my wife.
Vanessa, I am sorry that I interrupt and try to "elicit a history"... please forgive me. Please point it out when I begin to wear my doctor coat in our relationship. I want to hear you... listen to you. I want you to feel valued and heard.
David
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