Click the box medicine

So today was the start of week #4 for Internal Medicine. I can officially say that I am bored out of my mind. I do, however, feel the utmost joy when our residents do or say something so incredibly dumb that you know the attending just wants to slap them silly. Here was last weeks funny moment:

Residents: There is no urine coming out of the foley.
Attending: So, what is your next step?
Residents: Ultrasound of the kidneys....there may be something there.
Attending: (Looking rather annoyed). Don't you want to check the foley first?
Residents: (Dumb looks on there face).
Attending: (Looking more annoyed). Don't you think there could be a blockage or maybe it is in the vagina instead of the urethra???
Residents: (Still with dumb looks on their faces....and not saying anything).
Attending: DID YOU CHECK??
Residents: Uh........................no.
Attending: Go check!!!

This is of course one of many instances where I have come to find out that some residents just lack some common sense. I can see this coming from the intern, but not the second year resident (both of which were part of the conversation above). My friend today put it rather nicely when he stated that the residents practice click the box medicine. Patient presents with this, then it must be this (check). Patient complains of this, then it must be that (check). There is no thinking involved which can lead to some disastrous consequences. The one thing I have learned in medicine is that I do not want to be a click the box doctor!!!

So, this past weekend I decided to travel home to visit. It was my sister's birthday and she wanted to go to the State Fair. I hadn't been to the state fair in 3 years so I was excited. It only took about 1 hour to realize nothing had changed. All the vendors.....all the food....all the rides....all the games....all exactly the same. Even with that, I had a great time. I got chocolate milk for $0.25/each.....I rode the ferris wheel....I saw the horse pull....I had some wine....I ate corn on the cob, a hot dog, a hamburger, a twist with chocolate spinkles, 6 chocolate covered strawberries, a root beer float, a few of my brother's fries, a bite of my mom's roasted prime rib sandwich, a few cubes of NY cheese, a couple of nachos, and lots of water!!! And of course, I walked around all day long and I was exhausted when I got home....passed right out!!! So, going home for the labor day weekend was a great idea.....that, and if I had stayed here in Brooklyn, I would have been in the heart of the weekend long Caribbean festival...and I have already experienced that once!!!! Happy Birthday Randi!!! Everyone have a great night!