Of Art and Science

It is little secret that I am a "Type A" personality. Like most of my colleagues in school, I like to be on top, in charge, and "the best". Admittedly, pride is a great propellant of this personality and, as a Messianic Jew, I understand that such an approach to life is often less than godly. I am working to change this.

It is this "Type A" attitude, then, that recently caused me some rough feelings. Today was our first OPP practical exam (osteopathic principles and practices - click here for more information). Like my fellows, I studied hard and practiced the healing therapies that we have thus far been taught. I went into the test feeling confident. And, though I have every confidence I passed, I did get one question wrong.

One.

And my "Type A" kicks in......

How could I have missed that one question? It turns out that I didn't get it wrong - at least apparently. A few weeks ago we were practicing our OPP and I was corrected by a kind and knowledgeable instructor. "This is how you do it, Troy, not that way." I was grateful and moved on. Today, as you can predict, I was given the same situation and I presented the answer as I was corrected. To the horror of my anal personality, I was told that I was wrong. What??!! my mind rebelled. I politely tried to explain to the grader my predicament. He would have none of it and thus I missed the question.

To whom should I listen: the teacher from a few weeks ago or the grader today? This quandary demonstrates an eternal truth about medicine - it is as much art as science. What may be true for one practitioner may not be true for another and what may work to heal one patient may injure another. This truth makes medicine an incredibly difficult career. Add to this the reality that human lives are at stake and the pressure is on. So, don't be too hard on your health care provider. It is likely that they are trying their best and, like all people, may make the incidental mistake or two. Hopefully it will not be a serious mistake and hopefully all will be able to learn from it.

Meanwhile, another test is over. Here is the video of the victorious balloon blast. Thank God, another one down! :)

God bless you, dear reader. As for me, it's - back to the books.