Paging Dr McCoy!

I do not enjoy talking on the phone. It largely involves trying to convince other people to get up off their butt and do more of the work that *they* don't particularly want to do. Sadly, much of my day is spent taking phone calls, chasing lab results, getting scans arranged, talking with other doctors, making referrals and so I get to practice yet one more thing I don't like to do. I think that's a big part of residency, learning to just power through psychic pain and get on with it.

Tools of the trade

Working back on the general ward. Our hospital beds range from cribs to full size beds and my patients range from 20 days to 20 years old. This is RSV and asthma season, which also brings in a lot of sickle cell crises. I use my stethoscope, tendon hammer, torch light, and pen regularly. Also on hand is the PALS guide and an asthma booklet. All of these fit into my white coat, with all the other bits of paper I've accumulated and a list of all the patients under our care.