9:30 am

I see a patient of a colleague who is out of the office today. The patient was involved in a motor vehicle crash and says she has continuing neck pain from muscle spasms; the muscle relaxants she was prescribed in the emergency department are not helping. I recommend that she try massage therapy because I find that medication does not seem to be effective for this condition.

10:30 am

I see a 24-year-old who has had intermittent redness and burning in both armpits over the past 5 months. Physical exam reveals extensive erythematous sinus tracts in both axillae but no pustules. I suspect hidradenitis suppurativa. I prescribe doxycycline due to the extensive nature of his lesions and provide instructions on how to prevent flare-ups.

1:00 pm

I get a bit of a breather and use the chance to review the laboratory results that have come in for a patient I saw earlier in the day. I had seen him for a routine wellness visit, and he wanted to get to know me. He is very active at 77 years old and still referees soccer games. I smile as I remember our quick chat about our favorite soccer teams.

4:00 pm

I see an 81-year-old man who tells me that 6 days ago he suddenly started dry heaving and belching excessively. Today, he reports that he is no longer dry heaving and that the belching has significantly reduced. I reassure him, and he is grateful to have been seen. Quite a day it has been!

8:30 am

I start my day by presenting a lecture on complications of cirrhosis to the family medicine residents and medical students on the inpatient service. I reminisce about when I was in their shoes just a few years ago.

10:00 am

We see a 90-year-old patient with severe dementia who was admitted with pneumonia. The family chooses to move forward with comfort measures only. Although nervous about leading this conversation for the first time, the intern walks the family through what to expect at the end of life.

12:00 pm

There is a rapid response call, and my team reports to the bedside of a 65-year-old patient with new-onset heart failure. His heart rate is 130 bpm, and he is in rapid atrial fibrillation. The senior resident ensures that the patient is stable, orders metoprolol, and counsels him on anticoagulation. I am impressed!

2:00 pm

In the clinic, I see a 24-year-old new patient with depression and a high score on the PHQ-9. I prescribe fluoxetine, give her a phone number for therapy, and schedule a 6-week follow-up visit. As I am leaving, she mentions that she had her Nexplanon put in 5 years ago and asks whether it needs to be replaced. I have my staff schedule a follow-up for a Nexplanon replacement.

3:30 pm

I see a 68-year-old woman with well-controlled hypertension and osteoporosis. I encourage her to start resistance training to help prevent fractures. She asks about my newly growing family, and I am thankful for the continuity and lifelong relationships we build as family medicine physicians.

5:30 pm

I call the residents to review our list and make sure our patient concerns are addressed. As I reflect on my day, I realize how blessed I am to have the perfect job.