bloody students

I was not looking forward to going to work this morning. January through March is traditionally the busiest time for GPs, and Friday is the only morning of the week when there is only one doctor on duty. And to be honest, I am still a little shell-shocked after Wednesday's horrendous baby clinic. Finally, it is my turn to have 2 medical students sitting in on my surgery, for we are an undergraduate "teaching practice" At one level this isn't too hard, because at their level (we take them in their 3rd year) they know virtually nothing of clinical medicine; therefore whatever comes up is new and hopefully interesting to them. But it does add another layer of pressure on my shoulders .

In the event, the surgery passes off peacefully, with no patients placing me in an embarrassing position in front of them, which does indeed sometimes happen, say, when someone decides to take me to task for something either done or not done to their satisfaction. In fact 2 or 3 patients do not turn up at all, giving me the opportunity to train them in taking blood pressure and the use of the auroscope and ophthalmoscope. I also have time to give them my stock speech on avoiding arrogance:
"You will already have seen (and they have, more than once) how some patients gush with admiration and even love for me as their doctor. Remember this sort of esteem is afforded us automatically, owing to our (in their minds) exalted position. Respect you will get almost as a given, why, even some of Dr Shipman's patients were fervent admirers (even doubtless some of the ones he murdered)but your mission in life must be to earn that respect by doing as diligent a job as you are capable"

I was going to do a hill walk today, but dark clouds loomed around the sky and as the temperature hovered at around 3 degrees, I passed. Good thing too: on the way home it began to hail in a most vigorous and unpleasant fashion. A good decision.