godfather of surgery

Chapter 1274 Medical Guide
Several young doctors and graduate students were still immersed in the case they had just heard, exchanging whispers.

After resting for a while, Yang Ping regained his usual calm. He glanced at Li Min, who was still deep in thought, and said, "In clinical work, we encounter all sorts of situations every day. We not only need to quickly diagnose and treat the patients in front of us, but also extract experiences that are useful to more people. Dr. Li, your idea of ​​writing a booklet to guide everyone on how to see a doctor is very valuable. Primary care physicians are, to a large extent, the gatekeepers of public health. Doing this navigation work in advance can reduce a lot of unnecessary detours and waste of medical resources."

Li Min, who had been taking notes in his notebook while chatting with Yang Ping about the side effects of the medication, immediately looked up when the professor affirmed his idea: "Yes, Professor, I often hear patients at the grassroots level complaining that they don't know which department to see for their problems when they go to big hospitals, or what they should prepare before seeing a doctor. A small ailment can cause them to go several times, wasting both time and money, and increasing the pressure on big hospitals. If there were a clear, practical, and simple guide, it would be like giving them a map to see a doctor."

"A very good analogy," Yang Ping nodded approvingly. "The thinking can be broader. It's not just about teaching them to choose a department, but also about: when to see a doctor, when to observe first; when to go to a large hospital, when to go to a small hospital, when to go to the emergency room, when to go to an outpatient clinic; even how to communicate effectively with doctors, how to understand doctors' decisions, and how to deal with illness correctly. In the future, we could even create a simple diagram showing the specialties of some of the top hospitals in the country. So there's a lot to learn here, and it directly affects the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment and the mutual trust between doctors and patients."

Just then, the nurse led the next patient in. Yang Ping immediately changed the subject and focused all her attention on the new treatment. Li Min also quickly returned to her auxiliary post.

The outpatient clinic proceeded smoothly thereafter. Several patients presented with diseases that were difficult to diagnose, and Yang Ping diagnosed and treated them all.

For example, a high school student who experiences flaccid paralysis after exercise is diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome. The cause is not complicated: rapid breathing expels too much carbon dioxide from the body, causing a sudden drop in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the body. This leads to vasoconstriction, affecting the blood supply to the neuromuscular system, and a decrease in blood calcium concentration, which affects the excitability of the neuromuscular system. These factors combined result in muscle weakness, or even complete immobility, which is very similar to the symptoms of flaccid paralysis.

This hyperventilation can sometimes lead to respiratory alkalosis, which causes hydrogen-potassium exchange between the inside and outside of cells, resulting in the transfer of potassium ions into the cells and hypokalemia, which can also cause muscle weakness.

In a sense, the general practice clinic and the Sanbo Research Institute have become the fallback departments for the entire Sanbo Hospital, and even the entire Nandu Medical University Affiliated Hospital.

While studying, Li Min took notes. Sometimes, in his spare time, he would draft his own medical guide in his notebook, outlining several keywords: "Organ dysfunction - seek medical attention immediately", "Recurring discomfort > 50 years old - be wary", "Emergency room vs. outpatient clinic", "Initial visit: general appointment, follow-up visit: specialist appointment"...

Yang Ping's outpatient clinic didn't have many patients, and the day's clinic ended calmly.

Li Min returned to his dormitory, assigned to a visiting doctor, but his mind remained unsettled. Professor Yang's words from earlier that day, along with his own experiences working at the grassroots level, swirled in his mind. He opened his laptop, created a new document, and solemnly typed the title: "Learning to See a Doctor: A Medical Guide for Ordinary People."

He recalled Professor Yang's words—"Medicine is a science, but ultimately it is the science of studying people." This guide not only needs to be accurate, but also practical, and it needs to address the real confusion that ordinary people encounter when seeking medical treatment. Combining Professor Yang's guidance, his many years of grassroots experience, and the framework of some popular medical articles he remembered reading, he began typing.

Learn how to see a doctor: A medical guide for ordinary people

We often struggle with these questions when we feel unwell: Should I see a doctor? Should I go to the emergency room or the outpatient clinic? When is the best time to go to the hospital when it's less crowded? What should I prepare before my appointment? How can I get the doctor to help me better within the limited time available?
Should I watch it? — Recognizing the body's warning signs
The human body has a powerful self-repairing ability, and many minor ailments can heal on their own. However, some signals are important warnings from the body and should not be ignored.

If organ function is impaired, seek immediate medical attention: For example, sudden blurred vision, sudden hearing loss, sudden inability to move limbs, inability to speak, or chest tightness and shortness of breath that prevents lying flat. These are the most urgent signs, indicating that a critical part of the body has malfunctioned and requires immediate attention.

Unbearable pain: Pain is the body's alarm, especially sudden, severe pain such as chest pain, abdominal pain, and headache. Don't try to tough it out; seek medical attention as soon as possible. Please note that doctors usually determine the cause first, rather than immediately administering strong painkillers, to avoid masking the underlying condition. So don't blame the doctor for delaying pain relief; those who immediately resort to painkillers are often novices, while experienced doctors tend to focus on understanding the cause of the pain rather than rushing to administer painkillers.

Recurring discomfort: The same symptoms recur, such as long-term stomach pain, persistent cough, intermittent dizziness, etc., which may be a sign of chronic diseases, especially for people over 50 years old. For new or recurring discomfort, it is recommended to see a doctor for screening as soon as possible to avoid missing the opportunity for early treatment of some diseases.

Sudden change in condition: If the doctor has informed you that it is a self-limiting illness, such as a cold, and you are initially getting better, but suddenly the symptoms worsen or new serious symptoms appear, such as persistent high fever or difficulty breathing, you need to seek medical attention again for evaluation. Do not delay.

Abnormalities noticed by others: You may not feel anything yourself, but others may notice unusual facial color, eye bleeding, or noticeable lumps on your skin. If there are no other discomforts, there is no need to panic excessively, but it is recommended to get checked out when you have time to determine the nature of the problem.

The necessity of regular physical examinations: Many diseases have no symptoms in their early stages. Regular physical examinations are an important way to proactively detect potential health risks. It's about taking responsibility for yourself; don't think that physical examinations are useless.

Emergency room or outpatient clinic? — Prioritize.

Emergency Department: Handles urgent and critical conditions with the goal of stabilizing vital signs. Medications and examinations provided are primarily rapid and basic.

Outpatient clinics handle chronic diseases, stable conditions, or provide systematic and in-depth follow-up care after emergency treatment. They offer a wider range of diagnostic and treatment options.

Suggest:

Unless it's an acute illness or a minor injury, don't go to the emergency room at night because you're too busy at work. This not only may prevent you from receiving the best treatment, but it also wastes valuable resources meant for truly urgent patients.

Situations suitable for emergency room visits include: sudden onset of severe pain, trauma, acute bleeding, altered mental status, high fever accompanied by lethargy, and difficulty breathing. For prolonged illnesses, such as a stable chronic cough for several days, outpatient visits are recommended.

Choosing the right time to visit a clinic – avoiding crowds
Black time: Monday mornings are definitely peak times, try to avoid them.

Pattern: There are usually more people in the morning than in the afternoon, and more people at the beginning of the week than at the end of the week.

Season and weather: Outpatient visits increase significantly during summer and winter vacations, around holidays, and on sunny days. Conversely, inclement weather such as rain, snow, and strong winds often presents good opportunities to seek medical care during off-peak hours.

Tip: If you just want to get a prescription or a follow-up appointment, try choosing a weekday afternoon, especially a Friday afternoon.

Preparations before seeing a doctor – sharpening your axe before chopping wood is essential.

Adequate preparation can greatly improve the efficiency of medical visits.

Summarizing the patient's condition:

Medical history: When did it start? What did it feel like? What triggered it? How did you relieve it? It's best to write it down.

Allergy history: It is important to clearly inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medication or food and request that it be recorded on the cover of your medical record.

Medication history: For all medications you are currently taking, including health supplements, it is best to bring the medicine box or instructions. Do not tell the doctor about white pills or anything like that, as no doctor can figure out what kind of medication it is based on your description of its appearance.

Previous records: Bring your previous medical records and examination reports (X-rays, CT scans, lab reports, etc.), arranged in chronological order.

Bring all necessary documents and payment information: ID card, social security card/medical insurance card, medical card, and sufficient cash, although most hospitals support cashless payments.

Arrange your itinerary:

Please take leave and arrange your work accordingly. If your condition is serious or requires examination, it is best to have family or friends accompany you.

Estimate travel time and choose public transportation whenever possible, as parking at hospitals is difficult and you may not be able to drive after your visit.

Choose a suitable hospital:

For minor illnesses, common ailments, and prescriptions, community hospitals or secondary hospitals are the preferred choice due to their lower density and greater convenience.

For complex or difficult cases, or when a doctor recommends a referral, then choose a tertiary-level Class A hospital. Among tertiary-level Class A hospitals, teaching hospitals are preferred. Teaching hospitals are usually named after affiliated hospitals such as the First Affiliated Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital, etc. Nowadays, there are also some non-directly affiliated hospitals that are paid to have their names given, but they will not use numbers in their names.

Registration methods:

Prioritize online appointments, APP registration, and telephone appointments to save time queuing on-site. In fact, online registration is easier than on-site registration for many large hospitals.

For the initial consultation, you should register for a regular appointment, mainly to order tests. You can then register for a specialist appointment after seeing the results or obtaining a clear diagnosis.

Mindset and attire:
Maintain a calm mindset. Illness is a part of life, and cooperating with your doctor is the first step in overcoming it. Don't try to question professional doctors with search engines or your limited knowledge. If surgery, invasive treatment, or expensive treatment is required, and your condition allows, don't rush; consult with several hospitals and obtain different diagnoses.

Don't wear makeup; let the doctor see your true complexion and condition.

Wear loose, easy-to-wear clothing, such as a cardigan, for easy inspection.

How to communicate effectively with your doctor – make the most of your precious clinic time:

In top-tier hospitals, doctors may only have a few minutes to spend with each patient on average, making effective communication crucial.

State facts, not judgments:

Facts: "I've had a fever of 39 degrees Celsius for three days," "I've had intermittent pain in my upper right abdomen for two hours."

Judgment: "I have a high fever" or "I may have cholecystitis".

Precise time description: chronic diseases are accurate to year/month, and acute diseases are accurate to day/hour.

Focus on the key points and present your symptoms in an organized manner: Think ahead about your most significant discomfort and describe it around the core issue. Avoid lengthy narratives that start from "twenty years ago." Furthermore, do not describe things unrelated to the illness to your doctor, such as complaining or engaging in casual conversation.

Understanding the significance of pain: Doctors need pain to locate and assess the condition. Before a diagnosis is made, please cooperate with the doctor's examination, even if pressing on the area worsens the pain.

Open and honest communication: If you have financial difficulties, you can tell your doctor honestly, and the doctor will weigh the treatment effectiveness and costs for you.

Management Expectations:

Medicine is not a panacea. Many chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, cannot be cured. The goal is to control the condition and live peacefully with the disease.

The "breakthroughs" reported in the news are often a long way from widespread clinical application.

No doctor can guarantee a 100% cure or zero risk. This is out of respect for medical science and an understanding of the complexity of life. If you encounter such a doctor, try to avoid them.

Understanding "Informed Consent": The informed consent form you sign before surgery or any invasive procedure lists risks, even those with extremely low probabilities, that have actually occurred. Signing it means you are aware of and understand these potential risks, agree to the treatment, and that the doctor will do their best to prevent and address them.

Leveraging the power of online doctors:
Currently, some apps offer online consultations with experienced doctors from top-tier hospitals in China. For a consultation fee of around 100 yuan, you can get a preliminary consultation for non-emergency illnesses. This will give you a better understanding of the situation and prevent you from feeling lost when you go to the hospital. Remember! You must use top-tier apps, such as [App Name] or [App Name], to find doctors from leading hospitals. Less reputable apps are more likely to be problematic, and you should avoid apps recommended by search engines.

Seeking medical care is a process that requires wisdom and preparation. Learning how to interact with the healthcare system and cooperate with doctors is an essential health literacy skill for modern individuals. Hopefully, this guide can serve as a rough map, helping you navigate your medical journey with less confusion and more composure.

Please remember that our goals are the same: to overcome disease with the help of medicine, or to learn to live with quality and dignity in the face of incurable diseases.

Finally, remember: most doctors are professional and ethical, but there are a few incompetent or unethical individuals who are difficult for patients to identify because, contrary to expectations, these people also exist in hospitals you might consider prestigious, and often hold impressive titles. The best way to identify them, as mentioned earlier, is to consult with several doctors at multiple hospitals to obtain different opinions.

After finishing the first draft, Li Min breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling as if he had accomplished something very important. He carefully checked the content to ensure there were no professional errors, and at the same time, he tried to use language that was easy to understand.

The next day, he printed out the first draft of his article, "Learning to See a Doctor," and respectfully handed it to Professor Yang Ping for review.

Yang Ping took the stack of drafts and carefully read through them. He read quickly, nodding slightly from time to time. After finishing, he put down the manuscript, looked at Li Min, and said with satisfaction, "It's very well written, Dr. Li. The structure is clear, the content is comprehensive, and it's very practical. Especially the sections on 'stating facts rather than judgments,' 'managing expectations,' and 'understanding informed consent,' which address many key issues in doctor-patient communication. If this could be published on community bulletin boards, hospital information desks, or reliable health education platforms, it would definitely help many people."

Encouraged by Professor Yang's affirmation, Li Min said, "Thank you, Professor! I will revise and improve it based on your feedback, and then find a way to spread it."

Yang Ping stood up and patted Li Min on the shoulder: "Doing this well is no less important than seeing a hundred patients well in the outpatient clinic. Remember, a good doctor treats illness, but even more importantly, he prevents illness. You've done a very good job as a general practitioner, guarding the gate."

Dr. Li Min revised this simple guide and shared it on WeChat Moments for others to share, hoping it would offer some help. He plans to later write a more detailed medical guide to provide general knowledge about common and frequently occurring diseases.

With this idea in mind, Li Min recalled Zhang Lin's "Hook Surgery," which filled a gap in the world's hook monographs. Although he didn't want to fill any gaps himself, Zhang Lin's hook science gave him an inspiration: a person can achieve success by focusing on a niche area that others overlook.

He will focus on general practice at the grassroots level from now on. He believes that as long as he puts his heart into it, he will definitely be able to achieve results. With this new perspective, he cherishes his current learning opportunities even more.

P.S.: This medical guide comes from a medical doctor's work online. I borrowed it, modified it, and put it in my novel. This guide is very well written and can provide simple guidance for most people. I don't know why he later deleted his popular science article. I salute this doctor; it is really well written and helpful.

(End of this chapter)