One Dozen Things
Above All, Professionalism
Scenario Script
Scene 1
A frustrated-looking patient is sitting on an examination table. A doctor enters the room.
Doctor: Mr. Wallace, I’m so sorry we’re running late…
Patient: Doc, I been waitin’ here forever. What, did you guys take a big lunch party or somethin’? Geeze…
Doctor: No, Mr. Wallace, one of the patients had a medical emergency and we all had to work to get him stabilized and get him over to the ER. So it took some time that none of us had planned for… We never did get lunch. But anyway, I’m here now so let’s get started.
Patient: Well, doc, it’s a quarter of six. You know we both shouldn’t be here so why don’t you do me a favor? Write me a prescription with a lot of refills so we both can go home.
Doctor: I appreciate your hurry but that wouldn’t be the best way to proceed. You’ve been here on your medications for quite a while and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you last and that’s why I wanted you to come here. It would be bad medicine to just write refills and, even if it is late, you deserve the best care.
Patient: [somewhat apologetically] Well, doc, Ok. But can we make it quick?
Doctor: Quick as we can, but I have to tell you I came across some new studies in the New England Journal articles, and we might want to reconsider the medications that we’ve got you on. The medications we’ve got you on… [scene fades out as doctor continues to talk.]
Scene 2
A patient is sitting on an examination table. There is a knock on the door and a man wearing a white coat over scruffy jeans, dirty running shoes, and a T-shirt enters the room. He has a stethoscope around his neck.
Doctor: Hey. How ya doin’?
Patient: Ok… [looking the man up and down] How soon I can see the doctor?
Doctor: I am the doctor….
Patient: Well you sure don’t look like the doctor!
