Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 93

#93 Turning the Tables (2)

“Sexual harassment?”

“Never heard of it?”

“Yeah. I heard rumors that Teacher Chu was the nastiest of all the fellows, but…”

Sodam’s face turned pale as she said that.

Fellow.

Also called a clinical instructor or clinical lecturer.

Let’s draw the evolutionary stages of university hospital doctors one more time:

Intern

→ Resident

→ Fellow

→ Professor

Doctors who have completed the 3-4 year residency course face a crossroads.

1) Leave the university hospital.

2) Stay at the university hospital.

In short, residents evolve into fellows when they stay at the university hospital.

Because they have to perform various tasks right under the professor, fellows sometimes call themselves ‘Fellow-slaves.’

Of course, they are still way above us interns.

“What kind of person is Chu that he would do that?”

“He used to be at Changyang University Hospital, but it seems he came to our hospital right after finishing his residency.”

“Changyang University?”

“Yes. I heard he was notorious there. But he wrote a lot of papers, so he was able to come to our hospital.”

Yeonseo continued to explain.

Even listening roughly, Teacher Chu’s resume was impressive.

Grabbing someone by the collar is basic.

Slapping the back of the head if he doesn’t like something.

Even kicking someone in the shin, which is called ‘joint kkagi’ [a Korean slang term for kicking someone’s shin as a form of punishment or dominance].

“That’s harsh. I heard there are few violent people in the Department of Radiology…”

I frowned.

Of course, university hospitals have a unique vertical organizational culture.

And some places still have violence as a bad habit.

In particular, departments where the work is rough and there are many men tend to have more of these bad habits.

However, such cultures are disappearing recently, especially at Yeonguk University Hospital.

But, violence in this day and age?

Moreover, in the Department of Radiology, not Surgery?

It was hard to believe.

“Violence is one thing, but what he does to women is even worse.”

Listening to Yeonseo, this side was even more impressive.

Slyly holding hands.

Commenting on body shape.

Pressuring them to go out for a drink alone, etc….

“Really?”

“Crazy… he lives up to his name.”

Geunwook and I also clicked our tongues.

Even listening to the briefly summarized story made me sigh.

At that time, my father’s famous saying suddenly came to mind.

Teacher Chu seems to be just such a case.

Bullying, violence, sexual harassment, etc.

In short, it’s a comprehensive gift set full of only bad things.

Sodam’s face, who has to spend a month in the Department of Radiology, becomes even more gloomy.

“Will I be okay this month…?”

“Hey. There’s no way he’d do that to you, unnie [term used to address an older sister or female friend], right?”

Yeonseo comforted Sodam.

The vice president’s daughter, the royal of royals.

So, no matter how much of a *chugeundeok* [a Korean term for a lecherous or annoying person] he is, he won’t be able to treat Sodam carelessly.

But Sodam couldn’t erase her worried expression.

It’s understandable.

Sodam is seriously considering radiology as her career path.

In other words, there is a possibility that she will suffer for a long time, not just one month.

“Anyway, let’s all get through this month safely!”

“Good luck!”

Creak―

We finished our meal and went our separate ways.

Before leaving the restaurant together, I said to Sodam, who was dejected.

“Sodam-ah.”

“Huh?”

“If there’s anything I can help you with, tell me.”

“Okay… Thanks, Seonhan-ah.”

Sodam’s voice was as faint as an ant crawling.

I’m already worried.

Can Sodam, who is weak-spirited, get through this month well?

‘It’s not the time to worry about others.’

Ding―

I got on the elevator.

From today, I have to adapt to a new environment.

It’s an intern life where I’m too busy to take care of things right in front of me.

* * *

Q. If you divide the departments in the hospital into two?

= Surgical department / Non-surgical department.

It can be expressed like this.

The criterion for dividing this is whether or not you enter the ‘operating room’.

Operating Room (OR).

In some Western countries, it is also called Operating Theater.

Theater.

That is, the word theater.

A place where a movie unfolds every day.

How many surgeries will we have in our lives?

Each surgery will contain its own story.

The patient’s story and the medical technology from the accumulated experience of the medical staff are mixed together.

The place where one surgery is completed like a movie, that is the operating room.

And July.

As my NS (Neurosurgery) schedule began, I was full of anticipation.

‘Finally, my first operating room experience!’

Just thinking about it made my hands itch.

I haven’t had a proper operating room experience since starting my internship.

Even in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, I only played the role of a attending physician looking after patients in the ward.

‘Of course, I’m just an intern, so I won’t be able to do anything great… but I’m still looking forward to it.’

Monday morning.

I changed into new scrubs.

I took off my gown in the men’s locker room and was about to go out into the operating room hallway when I suddenly heard someone’s voice next to me.

“Hello….”

Oh my!

I was surprised because there was no sign of anyone.

It was a pale and thin man.

The man, who appeared like a ghost, smiled softly and introduced himself.

“You’re the NS intern this month… I’ve heard a lot about you… I’m Heo Gijin.”

He said, extending his hand, which was as thin as a reed.

Only bones.

It’ll break if I hold it wrong?

I looked at his sunken cheeks and recalled the contents written in the handover note in my head.

[R2 Heo Gijin]

―NS 2nd year resident teacher. His body is so thin that you can’t hear his footsteps, so don’t be surprised. Very kind. Heo-bosal [Heo the Saint].

I smiled and carefully shook his hand.

“Hello. I’m Shin Seonhan. Please take care of me.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard your name a lot… Have you ever rotated in the operating room before?”

“No, this is my first time rotating in the operating room. Until last month, I mainly rotated in the ward and emergency room.”

Teacher Heo Gijin nodded at my words.

“Okay… You need to learn the basics of the operating room properly during your internship. If you don’t know anything, ask me anytime….”

There is no strength in his voice.

He gives the impression that he will evaporate into the air at any moment.

But in the meantime, I felt a welcoming feeling towards me.

I decided to ask what I was most curious about at this opportunity.

“Um… the handover note only detailed preparing for surgery and moving patients in and out of the operating room. Will there be any surgery assist work?”

Then Teacher Heo Gijin smiled softly and shook his head.

“No. The intern’s job is all in the handover note….”

And he continued in his unique, weak voice.

“Don’t be disappointed. Preparing for surgery doesn’t seem easy, does it? But if it’s your first time in the operating room, it won’t be easy to do even that well….”

He is right.

Everything I’ve learned so far has been ward work, but now I have to do completely new things.

I felt like I was back to the first rotation in March.

“And… shall I give you a tip in advance?”

“Yes.”

“As a matter of fact, an operating room intern has to be like air… The better it is if other teachers don’t know your name.”

Air?

What does that mean?

I was puzzled, but Teacher Heo Gijin didn’t explain it in detail.

“You’ll understand what I mean soon. Anyway, you’re coming to room 13 today, right? See you later….”

Teacher Heo Gijin disappeared with a staggering, light step.

Heo Gijin, the first neurosurgery teacher I met.

He was a teacher with a different feeling from the residents I had met so far.

‘This is how neurosurgery starts. Let’s do well in the operating room too!’

I tightened my disposable surgical cap and mask and walked to operating room 13.

* * *

Creak―

The operating room door opened.

The first thing that greeted me was the cool air.

The operating room always maintains a temperature of 20~22℃ to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Therefore, it feels a little cold in the short-sleeved scrubs.

The chill rising up my arms makes me feel good.

‘This is the operating room of Yeonguk University Hospital.’

I looked around the operating room with a new feeling.

Shadowless lamp and bed.

Electronic surgical tools.

Various devices to maintain the patient’s life.

Perhaps because it is a state-of-the-art facility, the atmosphere was much cleaner and neater than the feeling of the operating room I felt at my alma mater.

A sterile space created solely for the purpose of performing surgical operations.

If I become a surgeon, it was also a landscape that I would have to consider my home for the rest of my life.

‘Anyway, it’s busy even before the surgery.’

There are many people around.

Even before the patient came in, 4-5 people were moving busily.

The anesthesiologists preparing for the surgery were busy preparing the anesthesia equipment.

The operating room nurses were busy setting up the surgical instruments.

Everyone is busy with their own work and doesn’t pay attention to me.

‘Oh, right. I shouldn’t be watching these people. I have to prepare on my own!’

I started preparing for surgery alone as an intern.

First, I prepared the position devices used to set the patient’s surgical position in advance.

Thud―

Like setting up dumbbells or equipment before working out at the gym, I placed the position devices made of iron around the patient’s bed.

‘Next… yes, I have to get the *yungpo*!’

*Yungpo*.

*Yungpo* [surgical drapes] can be thought of as a green, thick cloth like a wrapping cloth.

*Yungpo* is used for cushioning to support the patient after setting the patient’s position.

Since I don’t know how many *yungpo* are needed, I have to bring several bundles of *yungpo* tied with string to the operating room in advance.

‘That’s it! The place where *yungpo* are collected.’

I went out into the operating room hallway and turned my head, and I saw a large container box-like drawer made of iron on one side.

Interns were already gathered around the drawer.

Everyone is carrying a few bundles of *yungpo* on their shoulders and scattering to their respective operating rooms.

Looking at this, it’s like watching servants carrying rice sacks on their shoulders to work.

I quickly joined the group.

*Yungpo* were stacked in bundles of 5 tied with string.

‘I should take about 3 bundles, right?’

Thinking so, I was about to reach out to the *yungpo* pile.

Thud―

A pale hand suddenly intervened from the side and grabbed my *yungpo*.

“I called dibs on this?”