A competent doctor can cure everything

Kim Pyeong-hwa had a bewildered expression as if asking what that meant.

In contrast, Professor Ko was looking at me with interest.

“Hmm, continue.”

“The patient mainly complained of digestive issues, but I don’t think we should focus the prescription solely on that.”

I slowly continued while looking at the professor’s face.

“Of course, the chemotherapy could be a factor, but this patient originally had poor digestion and a lack of appetite. Additionally, this patient is very worried, sensitive, and has poor sleep.”

And then I expressed what I had wanted to say all along.

“I believe these symptoms did not occur individually but are related to each other.”

“Hmm, so what is your primary prescription?”

“I would consider Gui Pi Tang for a diagnosis of Shen Pi Xu Zheng (Heart-Spleen Qi Deficiency).”

Shen Pi Xu Zheng (Heart-Spleen Qi Deficiency).
Diseases caused by excessive worry and thinking can be similar to nervous exhaustion.

Gui Pi Tang is a representative prescription for Shen Pi Xu Zheng (Heart-Spleen Qi Deficiency) and has a strong anti-stress effect.

It is used when a patient who is sensitive and worried experiences a rapid heartbeat and shallow sleep. It is also used for insomnia, forgetfulness, dullness, dizziness, and other similar symptoms.

“Additionally, it has broad effects such as protecting the gastric mucosa and increasing platelet counts.”

However, it was not the first prescription that came to mind for a patient whose main complaint was digestive issues.

So it was understandable that Kim Pyeong-hwa had a bewildered expression.

In contrast, the professor calmly summarized the situation without surprise.

“Dr. Kim Pyeong-hwa focused on the main complaint of digestive issues, while Dr. Seon Joon focused on the patient’s mental state. Even though that’s not the main complaint.”

He then slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

“Do you all want to know how to prescribe traditional medicine effectively?”

“……?”

“Have you heard the saying, ‘the tip of the iceberg’? The visible part of an iceberg is just a tiny fraction of the whole.”

Kim Pyeong-hwa and I looked at the professor, puzzled.

The professor wrote the words ‘main complaint’ and ‘primary syndrome’ on the whiteboard.

“The main complaint is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s easy for doctors to focus on the main complaint, but one must uncover the primary syndrome, the underlying cause of the symptoms.”

“!”

At this point, the core idea became clear.

“In other words, distinguishing between the main complaint and the primary syndrome is the key to traditional medicine prescriptions.”

The professor underlined each term with a marker and then pointed at me.

“Dr. Seon Joon, did you know the difference between the main complaint and the primary syndrome?”

“No… I wasn’t very aware of it.”

I answered honestly, not bothering to lie.

However, the professor responded with a faint smile.

“What Dr. Seon Joon just mentioned, that the symptoms seem to be related… That’s exactly what this is about. You might not have realized it yourself.”

The professor concluded with this.

“In conclusion, I also thought of Gui Pi Tang when I saw this chart.”

“……!”

An awkward silence followed.

Kim Pyeong-hwa seemed to be deep in thought, and I waited for someone to speak first.

Finally, Kim Pyeong-hwa cautiously raised her hand.

“Professor, how about combining Gui Pi Tang with a formula from the Sha Shen Tang series?”

“What does Dr. Seon Joon think?”

Instead of answering, the professor directed the question to me.

I pondered for a moment before speaking.

“I… would prefer to hold off on that for now.”

“Why?”

“If we combine it with a Sha Shen Tang formula, the medicine will become too bitter.”

“……!”

I could feel Kim Pyeong-hwa’s eyes widening as she stared at my profile.

“The Sha Shen Tang series includes Huang Lian and Huang Jin, which makes the medicine very bitter. Since the patient is skeptical of Korean medicine and doesn’t have trust in me yet, there’s a risk that they might develop an aversion to it.”

I finished speaking while observing a smile spreading on the professor’s lips.

“First, if the patient experiences the therapeutic effects of Gui Pi Tang, I believe they will tolerate the bitterness and continue with the treatment.”

I could sense who would be approved for the prescription.

* * *

After the meeting in the professor’s office.

Kim Pyeong-hwa, returning to the internal medicine department, was deep in thought.

The main complaint and the primary syndrome…

Of course, she knew she was only in her second year of residency and still had much to learn.

‘An intern has figured that out…’

The idea about treatment adherence at the end was especially impressive.

This was knowledge not found in textbooks or papers.

It was closer to an innate sense or talent.

And the look of admiration in Professor Ko’s eyes.

Even she, in her second year under the professor, had never seen such a look before.

Naturally, her thoughts turned to that morning, when the intern had approached her.

She believed she had made the right judgment in her own way, but…

‘Could it be that she dismissed the intern’s opinion too easily?’

She felt a sudden sinking in her chest.

Maybe she was wrong…

Perhaps her choice was not in the best interest of the patient.

Once that doubt arose, she could no longer remain still.

‘Is it still possible to request an abdominal X-ray?’

Checking the time, she realized it was cutting it close.

Kim Pyeong-hwa quickened her pace towards the office.

* * *

The next morning.

I was anxiously refreshing Na Ye-jin’s EMR (electronic chart) at the ward station.

Of course, the patient had only taken the traditional medicine twice—once last night and once this morning.

‘Is there any note in the chart about the medication not matching?’

I was checking the chart to observe the patient’s response.

However, there was no mention of any changes after taking the traditional medicine.

‘I’ll have to go in the afternoon to observe directly.’

If something had happened, it would have been charted by now, or the hematology department would have contacted me.

‘No news is good news.’

Thinking about this, I decided to stop worrying about it.

As I was about to close the electronic chart, a nurse at the station spoke to me.

“Dr. Seon, that’s impressive!”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t play dumb! I heard you went for a consult at the hematology ward. It’s rare to see an intern going for a consult with a Western medicine department.”

“How did you know that?”

“I told you. In the ward, even the walls have eyes and ears.”

Seeing my continued surprise, the nurse smiled and explained.

“Nurses rotate through various departments. By working with both Oriental and Western medicine, we get to know a lot about what’s happening among the hospital staff.”

So it was quickly known in the Western medicine ward that I had been to the hematology ward, the nurse added.

“I see.”

When I was in the hematology ward, the nurses seemed too busy to pay any attention to me.

It seems everyone was actually observing.

I reminded myself to be cautious with my actions anywhere in the hospital.

Admitting this, I shared my concerns.

“I did go for the consult, but I’m not sure if there’s any improvement in the patient.”

“You’re going for acupuncture this afternoon, right? I think you might hear some good news then.”

“?”
However, the nurse just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

‘Well, I’ll find out for myself later anyway.’

I shrugged and was about to leave the computer station when someone sat in the chair next to me.

Turning my head, I saw Kim Pyeong-hwa, who was biting her lip in a slightly awkward manner.

“Dr. Kim Pyeong-hwa?”

Surprised, I looked at her, and Kim Pyeong-hwa cleared her throat and spoke.

“Dr. Seon Joon, it’s about Kang Eun-jung.”

At that moment, I knew what was coming next.

“The abdominal X-ray results just came in. It’s not severe, but there is increased gas in the small and large intestines, and some cloudy shadows were visible.”

“If so…”

“Yes. As you expected, it was an early stage of paralytic ileus.”

“!”

“The Western medicine team, who we consulted, was surprised too. It’s not easy to detect such an early stage.”

“So what are you planning for the treatment going forward?”

I calmly asked her about her plan.

“Fortunately, it’s not severe enough to require endoscopic gas removal yet. We’re at the stage where we can manage it with conservative treatment (treating symptoms and hoping for improvement). I plan to switch to a traditional medicine that promotes bowel movement.”

“I see.”

“I’ll notify the professor and immediately change the lunchtime prescription. I thought I should inform you as well.”

“……”

Seeing my silence, she quickly added:

“Of course, I’ll tell the professor that the X-ray was done based on Dr. Seon Joon’s suggestion.”

“Oh, more than that, I’m just glad we detected the problem early.”

“I’m sorry for disregarding your opinion. This was clearly my oversight.”

As I shook my head, Kim Pyeong-hwa apologized with a remorseful expression.

Then she looked around briefly before adding:
“And you are more than qualified as the primary physician. You’ve learned a lot from various experiences. I hope you continue to share valuable insights about patients.”

“Thank you.”

True to her straightforward nature, Kim Pyeong-hwa’s apology was clear and sincere.

I accepted her words with a faint smile.

* * *

That afternoon, I was able to head to the hematology ward with a somewhat lighter heart.

‘Now, with the results of the consult, there should be no more concerns about affecting Kang Eun-jung.’

Still, separate from that, I wanted to make sure Na Ye-jin was well taken care of to become an intern.

With that thought, I entered Na Ye-jin’s hospital room.

“Miss, I’m here to do acupuncture.”

“Oh! The traditional medicine doctor is here?”

Na Ye-jin, wearing red-rimmed glasses, greeted me with enthusiasm as she sat up in bed.

Her attitude was markedly different from the day before.

Before I even had a chance to ask, she excitedly reported on her condition.

“No, well~. I had a really good sleep for the first time in ages last night. It’s been so long since I slept through the night without waking up. After eating, my stomach isn’t upset either… That medicine must be really effective! I must have received a proper recommendation from the doctor.”

The patient’s complexion definitely looked better than the day before.

Perhaps because she had slept well, the sensitivity and sharpness from yesterday had greatly diminished.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll perform the acupuncture now, so could you lie down on the bed?”

Hearing that a patient feels better is always gratifying and rewarding.

As I prepared to perform the acupuncture, I remembered something I learned from Professor Kim in the acupuncture department.

It was when we talked about the efficacy of the Yefeng point during Mika’s facial paralysis treatment.

– Do you know that the Yefeng point has another effect? It stabilizes the autonomic nervous system that passes behind the ear, helping to relieve migraines and reduce stress.

“I’ll focus the acupuncture treatment on relieving stress and headaches.”

So I chose points such as Yefeng, the Sizhukong point at the outer end of the eyebrow, the Taiyang point beside the eye, and the Baihui point at the top of the head.

As I lightly inserted the needles, the patient’s breathing became calm and the tension in her facial muscles gradually relaxed.

“Wow… I really feel at ease. My heart always beats quickly, but even that is stabilizing…”

The patient showered me with praise, clearly in a good mood.

“You know my husband runs the café on the first floor here, right? So, I know a lot of people in this hospital. If anyone asks for a recommendation for traditional medicine in the future, I’ll be sure to mention Dr. Seon Joon.”

“Haha, thank you.”

At that moment, both the patient and I were in really good spirits.

Unaware of what would happen the next day.