Practicing Medical Skills in a Small Clinic-Chapter 38: A Chance to Make a Name for Oneself
"The older doctor personally helped me clean the inside of the abscess, then applied medicine, and gave me an IV drip for three days. But after I got home and stayed for just five days, the area of the abscess started to swell and redden again, and then after two days, it started to ooze pus again."
The old man replied.
There are many causes for abscesses, some stubborn abscesses, or abscesses with unknown causes, are extremely difficult to cure completely.
Analyzing from physiology and pathology, the formation of many abscesses can be seen as the body’s toxins accumulating inside and unable to be expelled, then having to find a superficial passage to expel the toxins.
Initially, it’s often red, swollen, inflamed, painful, and hard to the touch.
After a while, the abscess liquefies and softens, the surface skin whitens, and this is when the abscess is mature.
Once punctured, the pus can be drained out.
In most cases, it can quickly subside and heal on its own.
"What about the third time? How was it done?"
Li Jingsheng thought the third treatment must have something new; otherwise, he would really wonder if the surgeons at the community health service station were one-track minded.
"The third time it was still debridement, but during cleaning, a solution was used, and I was given two tablets to take orally."
"You only had it done yesterday. How do you know it’s still not healed? Treating such a large abscess definitely takes some time to recover."
In ancient times, plasters were the most commonly used to extract pus.
Now, with the rapid development of medical technology, surgical procedures have been widely used, and there are methods like incision and drainage, debridement, and abscess removal.
"It’s based on experience! After the first two treatments, when it’s about to relapse, I feel pain in that area, and then redness and swelling appear around the abscess. Look, it should be swollen again now. If we wait until tomorrow, it will be more severe."
The old man’s answer couldn’t help but remind people of the saying ’a long illness makes a good doctor’.
He’s now gained experience in diagnosing relapses.
The third time, it seems the surgeons at the health service station had run out of tricks, and had no other solution.
So they thought of using an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial solution to treat the inside of the abscess, and let the patient take long-acting anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs.
"Dr. Li, everyone says your medical skills are excellent, please make an effort to help me take a look. As long as it can be cured, money is not a problem. I get a monthly retirement salary of..."
The old man hadn’t finished speaking when the elderly lady beside him nudged him secretly, giving him a look.
The old man immediately fell silent.
Li Jingsheng couldn’t help but chuckle to himself; this elderly lady is quite cautious.
It seems she remembers the lesson of not showing wealth, fearing that Li Jingsheng would know the old man’s retirement salary is high, and then charge exorbitant fees.
"Don’t worry, our Sunshine Clinic is a legitimate clinic; all charges are strictly regulated by the higher authorities, and we will not charge you a penny more. Having heard your description, this abscess is extremely stubborn, making it very difficult to eliminate. I can’t say I am fully confident in curing it, but if you trust me, I’m willing to give my best effort."
Li Jingsheng said very sincerely.
The skills of talking with patients were honed back when he was a ward doctor in the hospital.
Like when dealing with surgeries, referrals, or significant developments in condition, ward doctors need to communicate promptly with families and patients.
When encountering difficult patients or family members, complaints could be filed at the slightest disagreement.
After suffering many losses, Li Jingsheng obediently learned communication skills from other doctors and eventually gained experience.
This has been very helpful in his work after opening the clinic.
So far, there have been no adverse incidents like patients damaging the glass doors or pounding on tables because of poor communication.
"I definitely trust you; that’s why I’m here for treatment! Please make the effort to examine me carefully, it hurts so much, I can’t lie flat at night. Even wearing clothes is a struggle, always suffering."
It seems like just an abscess on the back, but it has brought great trouble and pain to the patient.
Li Jingsheng fully understood the patient’s pain.
He nodded sincerely, "I will certainly do my best. Before your first treatment, what was your temperature? Was there a fever?"
Currently, the patient is using anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medication. The measured temperature just now was 36.7 degrees Celsius, normal.
Usually, such a large abscess would definitely cause an elevated temperature.
"Yes, there was a fever! I remember it was... What was the temperature again?" The old man looked at his wife.
"38.9 degrees; look at your memory."
The old lady chided him.
The old man just chuckled, "Right, right, it was 38.9 degrees."
Indeed, it was pretty much as Li Jingsheng had guessed; the patient had a fever due to inflammation caused by this abscess before treatment.
The fever was quite severe, approaching a high fever.
A large abscess causing such a fever isn’t surprising.
"Having performed debridement three consecutive times and still not cured indicates that it’s not an issue of inadequate debridement. Antibiotics can only play an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial role but can’t directly cure the abscess. At most, they greatly reduce the risk of postoperative infection and can also prevent the abscess from further spreading. So what exactly is the real cause?"
Li Jingsheng’s diagnosis in general surgery is only at the entry level.
At this moment, he deeply felt it wasn’t enough.
His life points accumulated to 61, and originally, he wanted to save enough to upgrade to a senior resident physician.
Now he could only prioritize spending 10 points to advance his general surgery diagnosis to proficient level first.
At this moment, the glass door of the clinic was pushed open, and a rather fashionably dressed lady in her sixties poked her head in to take a look.
Then she walked straight toward Li Jingsheng.
No, it wasn’t just one lady; there were four of them. Some were plump, some thin, varying heights, yet all fashionably dressed.
It’s clear these ladies really love to have fun.
"Xiang Ying, how is your husband’s treatment going?"
"Dr. Li is helping him here right now! Why don’t you go first, I’ll catch up with you once I’m done. I don’t feel assured leaving my husband here alone."
The old lady’s concern and love for the old man were evident at this moment.
Companions from youth to old age.
Their love must be quite strong.
"Alright, we’ll head to the underground clothing market first. I heard there are over a dozen shops struggling to stay open, and they’re clearing out stock. You finish here soon and get over there quickly!"
"Okay, I’ll call you once I’m done here."
Xiang Ying said to the four.
"Finish up here and come find us quickly!"
Saying this, she even made a phone gesture to the lady named Xiang Ying. The four ladies came in like a gust of wind and quickly left.
They didn’t even glance at the health products on the clinic counter. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
These ladies love a bargain most.
Each one is very shrewd.
Whichever store holds a promotion or is closing and clearing stock, once they get wind of it, they’ll be the first to rush over.
But these bargain-loving ladies must have been tricked by one particular scheme before.
A street was rumored to be demolished, and almost all the shops displayed signs of "Last three days, not leaving a single piece. Jump-off-the-building price, everything just 19.9. Countdown, last-day clearance sale."
Then, a year passed, and the shops on this street were still featuring the "last three days" clearance sale slogans.
Watching the four ladies leaving, Li Jingsheng’s resolve to level up his general surgery diagnostic skills grew stronger.
Why is that?
Because this group of fun-loving ladies serves as a team of free, live advertisements.
As long as Li Jingsheng cures this old man’s abscess, they will naturally help promote him. For a small clinic like his, appearing on TV or in the newspaper doesn’t have a significant effect.
Patients aren’t likely to travel far to visit a small clinic for treatment.
These ladies are all locals, and their promotional reach is among the residents of this area. The conversion rate will be exceptionally high.
Without further hesitation, he decisively spent 10 life points to upgrade his general surgery diagnostic skills to proficient level.
