Chapter 196: Written Examination Score Far Ahead!
“Mm, yes, Uncle, your condition requires immobilization for at least half a month after reduction.”
“Not a single day less! Otherwise, re-dislocation is very likely,” Lu Cheng stated calmly.
Standing opposite Lu Cheng was a middle-aged man in his forties, slightly overweight but with a small face. The eyeballs on his small head darted around. “Doctor Lu, if it’s been reduced, why can’t I move?”
“Are you saying it wasn’t reduced properly because of that?” he asked, full of suspicion.
Lu Cheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he patiently explained, “Uncle, if it hadn’t been reduced properly, I would have directly taken you to the operating room for surgery to reduce it.”
“Manual reduction is one of the treatment options. After a joint dislocation, it doesn’t immediately return to normal movement just because it’s been reduced.”
The middle-aged man said, “But I saw many videos online where as soon as it’s reduced, the child stops crying and can move normally… Can’t the reduction you performed be moved?”
Lu Cheng patted his right elbow with his left hand. “Uncle, to put it professionally, the joint dislocations you see online are radial head subluxations, which are common dislocation types in children.”
“Your dislocation is an anterior shoulder dislocation. Have you seen any videos of manual reduction for shoulder joints?”
“Do the doctors in those videos also tell patients they can move immediately?”
Radial head subluxation is one of the simplest joint dislocations. Reduction is very quick, and essentially any orthopedic doctor can do it.
Even the diagnosis of this type of dislocation doesn’t rely on imaging.
“I’ve rarely seen that,” the man with the small head shook his head.
“That’s precisely it. Your current joint has already undergone recurrent dislocation, which means the soft tissues have been damaged during the dislocation process.”
“The dislocation has been reduced, but the soft tissue damage cannot recover immediately. So, is it possible for the joint to slip out of its previous gap again?”
“Let me give you an analogy. If you wear a pair of shoes where the heel easily slips off, and you don’t repair or stitch them, they will always be prone to slipping.”
“This is the same as the condition of your soft tissues now. However, unlike shoes, our bodies can naturally recover, but soft tissues can.”
“That’s why you need rest.”
The middle-aged man remained wary. “It’s really not that your reduction failed? I see many people online saying hospitals often shirk responsibility.”
“Can you guarantee your manual reduction was without issues?”
“I can guarantee it. My manual reduction procedure was without issues, and the X-ray results of your postoperative review can also confirm this.”
Lu Cheng continued, “I must also inform you clearly that although your current condition has been treated, you still need immobilization and rehabilitation for at least half a month.”
“And after half a month, you will need to come back for a review to determine if you can resume activities based on your specific condition.”
“If, during this process, you do not follow medical advice and excessively self-rehabilitate, any subsequent slippage will not be related to my treatment.”
“Even normal joints of normal people can dislocate. Your joint is already damaged, so why should it be compared to a normal person’s?”
The man with the small head heard Lu Cheng’s slight anger and said, “Doctor, I don’t understand any of these things.”
Lu Cheng nodded. “I know you don’t understand, which is precisely why I’m explaining these things to you. Just because you don’t understand, don’t pretend to understand.”
“As for these anti-swelling and pain relief medications, you can also choose not to take them. You can buy them later, or when the pain becomes unbearable, it doesn’t matter.”
“I’ve written down the names and usage instructions for the medications.”
“Do you have any other questions?” Facing people who believe medical personnel are harmful, Lu Cheng decided to be direct.
These kinds of people generally believe that medical personnel are only after money. If you ask them to do anything, they think you are trying to earn performance points.
If you say anything negative to them, they will suspect that your treatment is problematic.
Faced with such people, Lu Cheng’s consistent approach is: whether you buy the medicine or not is up to you.
“Okay, Doctor Lu, I’ll buy them later,” the middle-aged man said, holding his medical record book and preparing to leave.
“Mm, please wait a moment, I’ll print you an electronic medical record and attach it,” Lu Cheng smiled.
A physical medical record book can be lost, but an electronic medical record is always archived on the computer.
By creating an electronic medical record, even if it’s not given to the patient, it is considered that Lu Cheng has fulfilled his duty to inform.
Of course, Lu Cheng doesn’t treat patients as “enemies” to guard against, but it’s wise to be cautious, especially given the current poor medical environment.
Many people, after being frustrated in society, choose to act like entitled lords at the hospital.
…
After finally seeing off a rare, indecisive patient, Lu Cheng washed his hands and re-entered the emergency clinic.
Zeng Huanqi was on duty at the emergency clinic and knew this difficult patient. “How was it? Did he leave?”
Lu Cheng nodded. “He left. He was a relatively careful and cautious patient.”
“He just went to internal medicine, seemingly trying to find someone to confirm that your treatment was problematic.”
Zeng Huanqi said, “At this juncture, you still need to be cautious. If the patient is too difficult, just let them deal with orthopedics…”
Lu Cheng replied, “Brother Zeng, people like that are rare. The truly excessive ones will intentionally set traps for you before treatment. You can ignore those people.”
Zeng Huanqi looked at Lu Cheng with interest. “Actually, Xiao Lu, at your current stage, why bother worrying so much?”
“Didn’t I just tell you? With this selection examination, others might be up to no good and will find fault with you.”
“If they find out you have a medical dispute, even if they can’t bring you down, they will entangle you in trouble.”
“This is a very common tactic in civil servant exams. It’s like reporting a competitor. If successful, you secure your position.”
Zeng Huanqi felt Lu Cheng was still too naive and had experienced too little of society’s darker side.
The most extreme thing Zeng Huanqi knew of was someone deliberately investigating a competitor’s alma mater and published papers.
They would even check their previous workplaces for any negative information.
What Lu Cheng should be doing now is focusing on his future prospects, so doing less is the safest approach.
“You don’t know about others, but don’t you know about Peng Kun’s situation?”
“Why is he so troubled now? Isn’t it because Xiang Kuihua exposed that the paper Peng Kun published during his master’s was bought?” Zeng Huanqi hinted directly.
Graduate students need to publish papers to graduate. Peng Kun was pursuing an academic master’s, requiring the publication of an SCI paper to be eligible for defense.
When Director Peng Haibo was still around, Xiang Kuihua didn’t want to fall out with Peng Haibo.
But as soon as Peng Haibo was taken for investigation, Xiang Kuihua revealed this matter, clearly having prepared it in advance.
Peng Kun’s academic advantage, under such circumstances, quickly collapsed. He was now only focused on damage control.
Fortunately, Peng Kun likely had guidance from other elders, knowing to stay away and transfer from orthopedics early to prevent Xiang Kuihua from further investigation.
He would then try to wrap up the previous matters.
“When the soldiers come, block them; when the water comes, cover it. Just be careful.”
“Paper fabrication is different from clinical disputes. If I do my work honestly, there shouldn’t be such major issues.”
“In clinical practice, as long as you don’t perform surgery beyond your level and don’t involve economic issues, these two red lines, no one will really make a big deal out of it,” Lu Cheng had his own confidence and principles.
If Lu Cheng were to be punished for failure in manual reduction, then no one would dare to perform manual reduction in the future!
Opting for surgical reduction directly would be using the law as a shield to avoid risk.
This is not what the broader environment desires.
Only performing surgery beyond one’s level and economic disputes are absolute red lines that can be used to condemn someone.
Currently, aside from brocade banners, any other item falls under the category of “bribery.”
Other items can be resold, but brocade banners are a form of name recognition and cannot be resold.
Zeng Huanqi changed the subject again. “Yesterday, Director Du and I were in surgery together, and he asked me to tell you that the next time he’s on duty, if there are any splenic injuries, he hopes you can join him.”
“Damn, I’ve never seen such a cheap person.”
“I didn’t agree.”
Lu Cheng said, “I follow my superiors. Director Du made it clear on his first day that I shouldn’t stir up trouble when it’s not my duty, you heard that too, Brother Zeng.”
“You’ll have to testify for me then.”
“Of course!” Zeng Huanqi nodded.
“Director Du is really something. He hogs all the surgeries. As long as it’s not my shift, he won’t even let us handle appendicitis.”
“If he weren’t a director, I’d…” Zeng Huanqi clenched his fists.
Previously, when Lin Qianlong was here, simple surgeries were rotated between Zeng Huanqi and Zhang Tiesheng.
Lin Qianlong performed the major surgeries, and Lin Qianlong had the most chief surgeon performance points.
Now, it’s different. Du Qiang doesn’t even let them handle minor surgeries. His character is truly something else. He wants to stuff all the money into his own pocket. Du Qiang deserves to be unable to make it in general surgery.
Lu Cheng didn’t reply to Zeng Huanqi’s comment because he realized that everyone’s perspective is truly different.
In Lu Cheng’s view, Du Qiang was actually a very good actor.
Moreover, Du Qiang was capable of getting things done. After a week in the emergency department, Du Qiang had managed it relatively ‘orderly’ and performed a significant number of surgeries.
Therefore, for stability considerations, no one from the hospital administration was bothering Lu Cheng anymore.
Because Du Qiang deliberately reduced Lu Cheng’s participation in clinical practice, and with Tong Yuan’an holding the fort in hand surgery, it appeared to the leadership that if they had to choose between Lu Cheng and Du Qiang not being there.
Lu Cheng could be sacrificed.
Although Lu Cheng had received awards, the operating rules of the county hospital were that whoever can do more, gets to advance.
Awards were just superficial.
After all, it wasn’t as if Lu Cheng had brought much tangible benefit to the hospital.
More importantly, Lu Cheng’s heart wasn’t in it, and no one would shamelessly force him to stay…
Hospitals are public institutions, not exclusive enterprises. No matter how well Lu Cheng performs, he cannot bring others particularly tangible benefits.
While continuing to chat with Zeng Huanqi, Lu Cheng learned more about the situation.
Currently, the acting president of Long County People’s Hospital, Zeng Long’an, had repeatedly gone to the County Health Bureau and the Prefecture’s Health Commission to plead his case.
His plea was that Long County is located in a remote and economically underdeveloped area, the treatment for directors is not good, and he hoped for policies to improve it, otherwise, it would be difficult to retain staff in the current situation.
Zeng Long’an also stated that the healthcare level in Long County is extremely underdeveloped and there is a great need for more expert team assistance from provincial hospitals. He hoped the prefecture would be biased when implementing the targeted assistance policy.
Zeng Long’an also mentioned that the normal operation and maintenance of Long County People’s Hospital are not easy, and he hoped the prefecture would consider it carefully and stop poaching talent from Long County People’s Hospital.
Otherwise, the hospital’s departments would collapse…
To Lu Cheng’s knowledge, Zeng Long’an’s actions had a significant impact, particularly on Huang Haibo of the Emergency Internal Medicine Department.
Director Huang Haibo had been in an exceptionally bad mood for the past few days.
According to insider information, Huang Haibo had originally planned to take advantage of the Prefecture People’s Hospital’s “talent introduction” program. The Emergency Department of the Prefecture People’s Hospital had also experienced staff shortages due to the recent inspection team.
However, because President Zeng Long’an’s plea was so effective, Huang Haibo’s previously received positive response was revoked.
Furthermore, Sister Yaqin from internal medicine said she overheard Huang Haibo on the phone with a leader who told Huang Haibo to wait a bit longer, as Long County is indeed a border area of three provinces, and Huang Haibo is a backbone-type talent here…
After Zeng Huanqi finished speaking, he added, “Based on this, currently, apart from our Director Lin Qianlong, it seems only one attending physician in internal medicine has had their resignation approved.”
“Other resignations, for example, Director Du’s previous resignation, were suppressed by the Prefecture Committee, and the resignation applications were sent back.”
Lu Cheng expressed some confusion. “Brother Zeng, isn’t resignation normal? How can it be rejected?”
“Yes… Normally it is normal. But now is not a normal time. The prefecture said they will discuss these matters after the central inspection team concludes their investigation.”
“The reply you received is very formal: to avoid unverified violations. Would you dare to disobey?” Zeng Huanqi felt Lu Cheng was still too young.
Lu Cheng: “…”
Normally, people can turn a blind eye. Even if you have some embezzlement, if the amount is small, or if it’s not investigated, they won’t bother you.
At this juncture, you want to resign? Fine. Should I report your name to the Discipline Inspection Commission? Do you agree?
An attending physician might agree, as they are usually minor players and not even contacted by most pharmaceutical agents. However, deputy chief physicians are 99% likely to have issues.
If the higher authority doesn’t want you to leave, they have ways.
Even if you can withstand an investigation, it will take a very long time.
However, Lu Cheng was more curious. “Then Director Lin? How was his approved?”
“Director Lin’s situation is quite special!” Zeng Huanqi said.
“Why?” Lu Cheng asked.
Zeng Huanqi replied, “Do you want Director Lin to bring up the previous recruitment incident and have it thoroughly investigated again?”
“Don’t be so naive, brother.”
Zeng Huanqi continued, “Lu Cheng, even you, when you joined our unit, I bet you used a few tricks, right?”
“Although your academic qualifications are excellent, from a top-tier university like Hanshi University, you must have had relatives help you pull some strings, right?”
Zeng Huanqi guessed correctly. Lu Cheng’s uncle, Lu Nanyong, had indeed helped pull strings.
Long County is not large. While not everyone is connected, over 90% of people can find someone they can talk to.
And during recruitment, everyone uses their connections.
“Of course, problems like yours are minor. As long as you don’t give bribes, it’s manageable.”
“And with your qualifications, I doubt anyone would accept anything from you.”
“Whether to help, how much to help, and under what circumstances to accept things, the person accepting is clearer than you.”
“Those who are unclear have often been taken for questioning.”
As Zeng Huanqi was saying this, another patient came in from outside, clearly needing a minor debridement.
Lu Cheng immediately went to prepare the debridement kit and the consent form, while Zeng Huanqi began the consultation process.
…
The next day, November 10th, Tuesday, the weather was clear.
At 2 PM, Lu Cheng was in a hotel outside Xiangzhou People’s Hospital in Jishi City, reviewing his written examination score for the selection examination he had participated in that morning, and was immediately surprised.
【 Surgery. 】
“First place, candidate number: 08025, Medical Public Fundamentals: 85 points, Surgical Specialty Knowledge: 91 points. Total score: 176 points.”
“Second place: Candidate number: 03011, Medical Public Fundamentals: 72 points, Surgical Specialty Knowledge: 72 points, Total score: 144 points.”
“Third place: Candidate number: 01002…”
Lu Cheng was the first place in the surgery group’s written examination, with a score that led the second place by thirty-two points.
The third place was very close to the second place, with a total of 142 points, a difference of only two points.
Upon seeing this score, Lu Cheng’s first reaction was not happiness, but a bit of worry.
In the current situation, having such a high and outstanding score in the selection examination, wouldn’t that make him a living target?
Aren’t the graders considering these things?
It should be known that medical exams have essay questions, and the grading for these can be somewhat flexible, unlike multiple-choice questions which are strictly right or wrong.
Lu Cheng’s own estimated score was only around eighty-five points.
Of course, Lu Cheng himself was not worried. Even though he had met Xiao Zhaoxi, he had not asked Xiao Zhaoxi to pave the way for him. On the contrary, Lu Cheng had refused Xiao Zhaoxi’s “shortcut”!
Although the benefits of talent introduction are good, they are also another form of constraint.
The selection examination progresses quickly.
After the written examination determines the “big circle” and “small circle” candidates, the practical examination will officially begin in the next day or two.
Of course, after the written examination, no one can leave because the position selection will take place that afternoon based on the exam scores.
There are so many positions in surgery. After determining the “big circle” and “small circle” with a 3:1 ratio, the shortlisted candidates need to pre-select the specialty they wish to apply for.
If there is only one position in Emergency Surgery, then it needs to be determined in advance which candidates will compete for that position.
After all, if someone from Thoracic Surgery is not selected for Thoracic Surgery, it would be useless, hence the need for pre-selection of positions.
