Thread by @gradydoctor

1/
“This picture isn’t clear to me—especially this piece. Why don’t we call our colleagues up and get their expertise?”

My intern sighed and countered, “Would a curbside do instead? Who wants to be the late consult that every person dreads?”

2/
I laughed out loud and said, ”Blame me. Let’s make this call legit. Our question is a valid one and warrants calling it.”

“Can I call?” asked our bright M3. “I know the patient best.”

“As well you should,” I countered back, “I’d expect nothing less.”

3/
So off she went to send the page and ask if they’d come down
to evaluate this patient who’d perplexed our team on rounds.

The phone rang back and she picked up and tried to give her spiel--but soon was interrupted and robbed of all her zeal.

4/
“Who’s this?” the huffy voice replied:

“Like, do you know the question?
And where’s your upper level?
And what was their impression?
I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to make this call.

Or even if this consult is appropriate at all.”

5/
I watched the student stammer. Her eyes began to glisten. She tried to speak but sadly this consultant wouldn’t listen.

“Hey--get a name,” I whispered low, the student gave a nod. Her eyes got wide like saucers, then she mouthed, “Oh my God.”

6/
“Did they hang up?” the senior pressed. The poor M3 confirmed.

“Just as I thought!” that intern said, “I’ve already been burned.”

“The name?” I asked her quietly and didn’t say much more. “That’s all I need." I stood up fast then headed for the door.

7/
I called back from a quiet room, disclosed the person sending
this query for this patient was that last M3’s attending.

“Where are you now? I’ll come to you and speak to you in person. I have concerns about that call and don’t want this to worsen.”

8/
My chest was poked out prideful prepared to go confront
this rude-responding trainee--then ask them what I want

But what I met were tired eyes and note scraps everywhere
And pagers ringing left and right with no seconds to spare

9/
I shared about the student, they then apologized
For “if I seemed a little tough when speaking to you guys."

I stared at them and listened to all they had to say. Then finally I stopped and said, “Hey listen—you okay?”

10/
Turns out that they were tired. And spread a little thin. So turned into a tyrant who scared both mice and men.

The conversation lightened and no one felt attacked.
And then I asked--and they agreed--to call my student back.

11/
The interns cheered when I returned with palpable delight
demanded all the details of how I’d gone to fight.

But then that phone, it rang again, that M3 took the call
And this time spoke to someone who wasn’t mean at all.

12/
I don’t have the solutions or perfect things to say
But now instead of getting mad I’ll see if you’re okay

I told my team this strategy and said, “I know it’s true.
'Cause when I'm flying on one wing? I get impatient, too.”

13/
And, no, there’s never an excuse for colleagues to be mean
But honestly I think it's just they’re wishing they’d be seen

So before you hit the hind legs positioned for a fight
Try out a face to face exchange that starts with:

“You alright?”

#medhum #choosekind #iseeyou

14/
Last:

What's cool about #narrativemedicine is that it can look so many ways. It's one of my burnout panaceas.

Yup.

Tonight, I gave myself a "Casey at the Bat" challenge on sharing this true story. It was really fun.

That's all.🤓👊🏾😴

#medhumchat