One day in family medicine

Morning tour: Flowers from our garden It is one of these beautiful mornings. I eagerly wander between patients’ rooms as if I am wandering among flowers in a garden. The fragrance and colours may vary; the pleasure and the eagerness are the same but more practical and purposeful. Despite all challenges, underpayment, lack of appreciation and overwhelming work we do as doctors, we are privileged to be in a position that allows us to be part of people’s lives and to help them. After a detour in our care models, due to COVID-19, we are back in the office for the entire week. Yes, no care replaces in-person care. Read: Dr. Jabir Jassam: As doctors, are we rich or poor? T. was here to check her changing mole. We chatted, laughed, a biopsy taken immediately and sent for testing. J., four-months old, for a well-baby checkup and vaccinations. All done, follow-up in two months. E. concerned about his shoulder pain after he lifted a kayak by himself, examined, reassured and sent for physio. A. follow up about his ADHD, doing very well. Happy with the result, school grades are skyrocketing, no change in his meds, will follow up in three months. S, chronic ear pain, no hearing issue, exam revealed a TMJ problem, referred to clinic treating temporomandibular joints. X. , follow up on her anxiety, on Cipralex, not doing well. Brief counseling, Cipralex dose adjusted and referred for psychotherapy. L.: Previous abnormal Pap test, recommended to be repeated after six months, done today. G. DM (diabetes mellitus) follow up. A1C is not on target, blood pressure is normal, medications adjusted, blood work requisition provided, follow up in three months. K. Another skin problem, not fan of derm but is OK. Pustular acne, instruction provided, started oral antibiotic, follow up in two months. H. Another psychiatric issue: BPD, suicidal thoughts, active listening, validation, meds adjustment and referral for psychotherapy. Y. Heartburn, no red flags, exam is normal , start PPI and follow up in two months. M. 10 weeks pregnant, first pregnancy, very happy, exam done, sent for BW, US, IPS, follow up in four weeks. It is 1 p.m.— normal time to slow down and have a lunch. Well, I don’t usually eat lunch and physicians don’t usually slow down: it is the time to complete the charting and review test results. This was a morning in a day in family medicine practice: variety of cases, ages and genders. It is the joy of family medicine. It is not pediatrics, gynecology, orthopedics, psychiatry, ENT, internal medicine or dermatology—it is all in one It is family medicine. An evening tour: Tasteless and odorless time Now I have to be in a barren, dry desert empty of roses and flowers to do the most boring non-medical work we do. I booked the whole evening for paperwork; it is unfortunately part of our days in family medicine. I will sit in my office for the whole evening to respond to insurance companies, lawyers, write letters, disability forms, sick notes, etc. Yes, I got paid for most of that but any time away from our direct patient care is bleak and tedious.. It is still family medicine but it is not really medicine. That’s it for today ladies and gentlemen. See you in another day. Dr. Jabir Jassam is an Ottawa physician.

One day in family medicine

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