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Fantasies of a Doctor on Weekend Call

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Weekend Call: a duty created to push every doctor to the limit.

In my hospital the doctor on weekend call is supposed to cover every department and is the first on call for every emergency, review, referral and basically anything the nurses may 'feel you need to do'. Even if a patient 'looks' depressed (never mind that you are already depressed from the last 6 emergency Caesarian Sections)

Nonetheless I'm on it this weekend so you will forgive me for lack of smiley faces. I guess I am just hoping that by posting a blog the universe may deem me too busy to be called to the ward again (even though I have absolutely nothing to say).

They don't teach many things in Medical School. Like on the first day they should have a sign at the door written 'DON'T DO IT'. It would save the world from a whole lot of disgruntled doctors. Don't get me wrong, I love the major parts of my job...but the not-sleeping, forever-smiling and superwoman criteria may be quite lacking in me particularly this weekend. My schoolmates in the commercial world with their fancy office wear and sky-high heels actually know what a weekend is! Probably right at this moment are having a bubbly conversation at a barbeque or cocktail party. Or better yet- sleeping! Sleep. Now that's a fantasy.

Okay, no more Miss Grumpy. Pro's to the weekend call is you run the show. And I love to run me a show! (Beyonce testifies to girls in particular running the world in general). The experienced amassed during this time is like no other. You do procedures you would have otherwise referred to someone else, you find courage to keep going and the rewards of happy satisfied clients is amazing. I may complain when I'm called out of the call room at 3am, but I love that moment when you rip your gloves off after a successful procedure and you know you have done your part to make a difference in the world.

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  1. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Interesting read - however, if they made signs like that, our generation would be unemployed :) And those friends in heels you speak about? Are probably attending those cocktail parties out of duty and hating (no thats a big word)/ not liking every other second of them!!! But thumbs up to every doctor out there - I don't know anyone who could be woken up at 3am and still be able to smile at anything!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SteeFebruary 28, 2012 at 3:33 AM

    LOL- the sign was a suggestion after a long night's call. I am sure every job has it's perks and downfalls. Grass seems greener on the other side!

    ReplyDelete

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