Whew!

All of today was in Gen Peds clinic, where we saw around 36 patients (in addition to overseeing the interns' patients). Among many mild URI's, we had numerous memorable cases from neurocystercercosis to leprosy to CHARGE syndrome to Takayau's arteritis to Typhoid. The general approach for many cases is to diagnose through response to treatment rather than an expensive work up, because, in the end, this often the most cost-effective method.
I was also amazed by many families that traveled from West Bengal (including the rural areas) just for a few minutes of Dr. Rose's time. This area is in North East India, and for specialized care, families had the choice of traveling to Dehli or Vellore which are both thousands of kilometers away. Dr Rose would thus switch from English to Tamil to Hindi, for those from West Bengal. As the day went on and the folders kept stacking, the physical exams no longer took place on the exam table, the interviews became rushed, the interns would fly in and out, and the scene became a whirlwind. Even only as an observer, my brain became exhausted. But I realized that despite waiting for hours, the families never complained. Instead, they seemed thankful for every minute they spent with Dr. Winsley Rose, even if they were few.