From my strategic vantage point in the back of the exam room, I could see the patient, and I doubt very much that she knew what a myelogram was or how it might help her. She probably would have appreciated a few words of explanation, but none was forthcoming. The surgeon continued to jot his notes, and the patient started to cry. The startled neurosurgeon spun around and said, "You wanted help, and you’re going to get it!" His tone was a bit nasty, and he seemed to imply that she would have to bear the responsibility of taking up his valuable time with her complaints.
The surgeon returned to his chart and I was left face to face with the tearful patient. I reached into my pants pocket and gave the patient a tissue to wipe her eyes. Passing out tissues didn’t seem to be one of his professional skills. I don’t think he even noticed that his patient was crying, but if I had asked him about it, he probably would have told me, "I am a surgeon."
Dr. Greenbaum is a rheumatologist who practices in Greenwood, Ind.