Summary

Beginning his third post as a registrar, Kay is trying to determine his bedside manner. He discusses the “conventional” practice of interacting with patients and decides to go with a “straight-to-the-point” vibe, believing that patients like doctors “advocating a single management plan” (163-164). However, after receiving a letter that informed him that he was being sued for medical negligence, Kay decides to change his manner to be warmer which does not come across as well as he had hoped.

Patient HJ comes to Kay with very specific plans for how she wants to have her birth. However, needing to perform an emergency caesarean section, Kay tells her that they are going to need to operate. The patient is extremely unhappy, and so Kay employs the help of Mr. Cadogan, the consultant on duty. He is “fatherly, charming and soothing,” and tells...