Super Doctor - Chapter 215

Director Qian Zhixun questioned the patient carefully and thoroughly. As Xu Ze had said, it turned out the patient did indeed have a long-term history of exposure to industrial dust.

Considering the patient’s current symptoms, which mainly consisted of an irritating dry cough, it seemed quite consistent with the early stages of silicosis…

Thinking this, Qian Zhixun’s expression grew serious. Firstly, he genuinely hadn’t considered this possibility. After all, he had asked about the patient’s occupation, which wasn’t the type typically associated with industrial dust exposure. Combined with the fact that the chest X-ray and CT scan showed no issues, he had simply dismissed the idea.

But now it appeared the diagnosis of simple central nervous system-mediated cough was indeed worth reconsidering. If Xu Ze’s suspicion was correct, while the likelihood of silicosis wasn’t high, it still couldn’t be ruled out. They had all been too careless initially.

So, after carefully re-examining the patient and giving it some thought, Qian Zhixun turned to Li Moling, who was standing nearby with a sullen face, and said gravely, “Schedule the patient for an enhanced MRI and draw blood for a silicon dioxide content test…”

Upon hearing Qian’s words, Li Moling’s face changed instantly. Ordering these two tests meant Director Qian acknowledged the possibility of silicosis that Xu Ze had raised. His face was about to take a serious hit.

In front of all these interns and the patient, he had outright stated silicosis was impossible and accused Xu Ze of damaging the hospital’s reputation. Yet now, Director Qian was considering the same possibility…

Li Moling’s face flushed red then paled, feeling utterly humiliated—schooled by a mere intern. However, since Director Qian gave the order, Li Moling, swallowing his pride, hurried off to arrange the tests. Deep down, he could only hope the results wouldn’t show any problems.

If everything was normal, it would prove he was right and that damn intern was just talking nonsense. That would salvage his pride. Otherwise, if word got out that he was corrected by an intern, he would truly want to vanish on the spot.

Seeing Director Qian actually instruct Li Moling to conduct tests for silicosis, Xu Ze’s group of classmates was utterly shocked. Did Director Qian really agree with what Xu Ze said? Did that mean Xu Ze was more capable than all the doctors at this affiliated hospital?

Everyone looked at Xu Ze with awe and admiration in their eyes. Xu Ze really was on a different level than the rest of them; he had always been at the top among his peers.

Sitting in his office, Director Qian looked at the handsome young man opposite him, who still wore a calm and composed expression without a hint of arrogance. He couldn’t help but sigh softly. He genuinely couldn’t understand how this fourth-year student possessed such broad knowledge and such a sharp mind. How could he pick up on such a subtle detail? And relying solely on that one point of suspicion, he dared to challenge the teaching physician.

He truly didn’t know whether to call this kid too arrogant or too earnest. However, being a doctor required precisely this: meticulousness, boldness, not letting any suspicion slide, and not being easily swayed by others. Only then could one become a truly good and competent doctor.

The results came back quickly. Li Moling walked into the director’s office, his face dark, holding the test reports.

Seeing Li Moling’s rather awkward expression, Qian Zhixun’s heart skipped a beat. Could the results actually indicate silicosis?

Taking a slight breath, he accepted the report from Li Moling. The displayed silicon dioxide levels were significantly above normal, and the enhanced MRI showed subtle nodular changes in the lungs, not ruling out the possibility of silicosis. He sighed again.

Not only was Li Moling embarrassed now, but the diagnosis of central nervous system-mediated cough had been made after a whole-department consultation. It turned out to be a misdiagnosis, and it was an intern who pointed it out. The reputation of the Respiratory Medicine Department was truly taking a hit.

“Moling, go inform the patient of the results. Then start him on Polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO) for silicosis treatment, both intramuscular injection and aerosol inhalation. Also, administer oral tetrandrine to improve his lung condition as soon as possible…” Qian Zhixun instructed Li Moling with a serious face.

Hearing this, Li Moling nodded grimly. Since the results were in, naturally, he had to inform the patient. It was embarrassing, but he couldn’t let the director do it. He just bitterly regretted clashing with Xu Ze. If he had listened to the intern’s hint and immediately ordered the tests instead of stubbornly sticking to his own diagnosis, he wouldn’t have been humiliated to this extent.

After Li Moling left, Qian Zhixun looked at Xu Ze with a mix of admiration and helplessness, smiling wryly, “Xu Ze… are you really a fourth-year student?”

Xu Ze understood Qian’s implication and shook his head lightly with a faint smile. “Since I’m here for the internship, of course, I’m a fourth-year student… Otherwise, do you think I’d enjoy trailing behind a bunch of people every day, learning stuff that’s already painfully obvious and extremely dull?”

Hearing Xu Ze’s words, Qian Zhixun’s eyes lit up, but he was still very puzzled. “But why do you have so much experience? You’re only in your fourth year…”

Xu Ze shrugged and smiled. “My family ran a clinic since I was little. Then, from my first to third year, I worked part-time at a clinic… The senior doctor there retired from a major city hospital and had a lot of experience. Last summer, I also spent over a month in the Emergency Department here. So, I’ve learned a lot…”

“Ah…” Hearing about Xu Ze’s background, Qian Zhixun, like others, was surprised. But he still found it hard to believe. Even with those years of experience, Xu Ze was simply too young. How could he have reached this level?

But with the facts right before him, Qian Zhixun had to accept it. After all, there were some geniuses in this world different from ordinary people. This kid in front of him probably belonged to that category.

“Forget it… Director Zhang mentioned before that for the internship, you could observe or not observe patients as you wish. Since your experience is already this extensive, don’t just follow the crowd. From now on, stay by my side…” Qian Zhixun looked at Xu Ze and sighed helplessly. After this incident, the other doctors in the department would surely know. If this kid followed them around every day, watching over their teaching, they’d probably feel uncomfortable too… Better to have him follow me and see what other skills he possesses… And this way, it doesn’t go against Director Zhang’s intention either.

Xu Ze was satisfied with this arrangement. Since he had to come to the hospital every other day for the internship, aimlessly following others was truly boring and made the teaching physicians resentful. Following Qian Zhixun would likely be much more relaxed. Moreover, the director often saw more complex cases, so he could observe and sharpen his own skills.

From then on, in the Respiratory Medicine Department of the affiliated hospital, whenever afternoon came, there was an additional presence. Many doctors looked curiously at the handsome young man following Qian Zhixun. This kid was clearly an intern, so why was the director personally mentoring him? It was quite peculiar.

However, Xu Ze paid no mind to the curious glances. Whenever he went to the hospital, he’d just wander around with Qian Zhixun, observing patients and their treatment plans, which was actually quite leisurely.

A few days later, the patient Xu Ze had diagnosed with silicosis showed significant improvement in his cough after several days of targeted medication. Every time he saw Xu Ze, he was immensely grateful. The patient knew very well that without Xu Ze, his illness might have been difficult to cure.

Seeing the patient’s condition improve day by day, Xu Ze naturally felt very pleased. The greatest joy for a doctor is watching their patients recover steadily. This feeling is truly wonderful. Even though this patient wasn’t officially his, Xu Ze was still extremely happy…

Zhang Lide, the director of the General Internal Medicine Department, gradually learned about Xu Ze’s recent situation from Qian Zhixun. Hearing that Xu Ze had helped correct a misdiagnosis in Respiratory Medicine, he was quite impressed. He, of course, knew about Xu Ze’s abilities, but he hadn’t expected the young man to spot an anomaly based on such a minor point of suspicion under those circumstances.

He could only sigh with great feeling, thinking to himself, “Xu Ze really is remarkable. Back when I lost out to him, it certainly wasn’t just luck. The kid genuinely has real skill.”

Zhang Lide naturally paid attention to young talent. If not for Xu Ze still being a fourth-year student, he would have already recruited him into the General Internal Medicine Department.

However, he had already made plans. In just one more year, Xu Ze would officially start his residency. Then, he would firmly keep him within Internal Medicine. When Xu Ze graduated, he’d notify the Medical Affairs Department to hire him directly. He had to get this done before that old fellow Qu Zhiyuan caught on. Otherwise, he’d have to argue and fight with that old man again, which would be truly undignified.

However, while Zhang Lide was making these long-term plans, he never once considered whether Xu Ze had such intentions. In his view, naturally, the affiliated hospital was the goal for all clinical medical students, and Xu Ze would be no exception.

When the time came, as long as the hospital expressed its willingness to hire Xu Ze, he would absolutely not refuse…

But what did Xu Ze himself think? Even Xu Ze didn’t know. There were still two years left… What level would Xu Ze reach in two years? He himself didn’t know either. But he was clear about one thing: by then, he would be extremely confident. As for his future path, he hadn’t seriously thought about where he would ultimately head…