Moving On

Perusals of my past posts have brought more smiles than embarrassment. One changes with time as is expected. Still, I remain a simple country neurosurgeon in the Rocky Mountain West. Over the last few years the realization has dawned that being a physician is more important than being a surgeon. Yes, the technical portion is still as important as ever but it is the relationship with the patient that has almost as much to do with the particular patients outcome than does manual dexterity. Surgery is a finite performance, albeit exacting. The continuing relationship that exists between surgeon and patient is one that persists in an unreasonable way. Yes, unreasonable. At least as far as neurosurgery is concerned. Even long after the post-surgical period has passed and I can think of no compelling reason to schedule a follow-up appointment, they look at me with questioning eyes when I tell them to '"call me if you need me". It is a blessing, at least to this simple surgeon, to have their gratitude for performing a procedure but I dare say that the lessons taught me outside the OR are as important as those learned wearing gloves.
An attending once asked, rather pointedly, if I knew " how not to get fired" from my residency. As it was the second of an anticipated six year program, I was all ears. This man held my future in his hands and although not capricious, his word could have far reaching effects upon my professional life. He said simply " be nice to those you work with". This takes a bit of explanation.
As a resident, you are a physician but not one vested with any significant power