Counting Down My Shifts

I have done all my night shifts
I have done all my weekends
I have 6 more shifts to go
Then I will enter a whole new world


I told people I am going to do pathology next
And their first response is always "Why?"
"Do you hate people?"
"You wont be talking to anyone then?"
"Why pathology? You will make a good physician..."


I tried really hard to think why I really want to do pathology...
I came up with various random reasons that have struck me at some point
Medicine these days is relying too much on investigation...no matter how great your clinical examination skill is, it is really just a show. Are you able to convince yourself not to order that blood test or imaging if they are readily available? No. All those CT brains for the old patients with a fall with no focal neurology. All those troponins for ladies and gentlemen boys and girls with chest pain. All those VQ scan/ CTPA for someone who has chest pain with the minor-est risk factors for PE following negative troponins. All those vasculitic screens, autoimmune screens for people with no real signs or symptoms...


Medicine these days deal with too much "holistic medicine" crap... whatever... Sir, I only feel like fixing your broken bone, can I leave your depression to someone else? Maám, we are done with the medical care for your mother, she needs to go home today, I don't care if the aircond at her home is functioning or not... I know I wont make a good physician.


I cannot present cases the way physicians like me to present. I tried to fit in but I don't belong. I just want to tell you everything I know about the patient they way I want to.


I like people in general, but not to the extent of dealing with people's psychosocial problems and fighting with various departments and parties every day.

I like to sleep at night and work during the day. Shift works just make me feel sick. I hate being on call. The ringtone just gives me recurrent palpitations. I think I wont last long if I have to be always on call.


And of course I would choose the colourful pathology over the black and white radiology :)