The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 71

If there was any connection between me and Sowon General Hospital, it would only be Park Yeonggil, who was a department head there.

I searched through my call records and immediately called him.

“I received a fax proposing an MOU, but what exactly is this about?”

“You told me not to call, so I sent it as an official document.”

I could hear his very annoyed voice.

Are those two things the same? You should have at least mentioned it before sending it!

“Even though it’s called an MOU, it’s nothing grand. We’ll occasionally send patients your way, so please take good care of them. If you ever need to request tests or transfer patients for surgery purposes, we could also accommodate that.”

Park Yeonggil began his explanation.

Hmm… Is there nothing I need to do on my end?

“There are systemic issues with sending patients to you while we have existing partner Oriental Medicine Hospitals, so we made this request.”

“Sending patients means…”

“Won’t there be occasions for exchange? It wasn’t the case with my mother, but there are cases like patient Yun Hanbyeol. It would be reassuring if you could treat them.”

Interesting.

When he called a few days ago asking how I treated her, I thought he was questioning my methods.

Now he’s completely changed his attitude?

“Well, sure. I’ll consider it positively. If there are patients who need help, I should naturally provide it.”

“Yes. Please discuss the details with the Administrative Manager. I’m just a paid doctor, so I don’t know much about it.”

“Alright, take care.”

If he’s just a paid doctor, how can he propose something like this?

Our clinic has 5 staff members so we can handle anything, but isn’t a general hospital like this supposed to have hundreds of people? There must be dozens of doctors alone.

After treatment ended, when I called the contact number on the fax, my questions were quickly resolved.

– Thank you for calling!

The Administrative Manager answered the phone.

Park Yeonggil is apparently among those dozens of doctors, the one with the most surgeries and among the elite of the elite in terms of revenue?

– Director Park requested this, so of course we should accommodate it! And having more partner hospitals is good for us too!

Looking into it, I found that money often changes hands when partnership agreements are made.

When a hospital that performed surgery sends inpatients to a place that handles post-surgery rehabilitation and recovery, the operating hospital receives a patient allowance?

Or sometimes clinics pay money for imaging test conveniences or simply for the title of being a partner hospital of XX University Hospital.

But Sowon General Hospital made no financial demands whatsoever.

That’s natural since they proposed it first.

‘There’s definitely nothing to lose here.’

I can refer only truly necessary patients based on my judgment.

As for patients they send, I just need to treat them diligently and well.

I carefully reviewed the proposal and adjusted the details.

The discussion progressed quickly.

* * *

A few days later.

I visited Sowon General Hospital.

Since they asked me to bring 2-3 people, Hwang Sanghun and Seo Inae came along.

“Hahaha, thank you so much for coming. Let’s do our best to share our respective expertise, cooperate, and provide appropriate treatment to our patients.”

From their side, not only the Administrative Manager but also the Hospital Director, Medical Director, and Nursing Director came out.

“Yes, please take good care of us.”

In the hospital lobby, there was a banner announcing the partnership ceremony.

There were also several reporters present.

Shaking hands with the Hospital Director, click.

All seven of us smiling together, click again.

“Thank you for coming.”

After the brief event ended, we also had a meal that Park Yeonggil treated us to.

“This is amazing, Director. How did you manage to secure such a partnership?”

“Right. You’re not just good at treating patients, but you’re steadily expanding the scale like you mentioned before.”

“Hahaha, it just happened somehow. It’s nothing special.”

On the way home, I scratched my head at the praise from Seo Inae and Hwang Sanghun.

Is it really that impressive? It does seem that way.

That’s probably why some places even pay money to create partner hospitals.

“Thank you both for coming with me. I didn’t know we’d be photographed, but is that okay?”

“I actually found it interesting and enjoyable. Can I upload it as a vlog on YouTube?”

“Why wouldn’t that be okay?”

“I don’t mind either. I hope Father sees it.”

Fortunately, both of them didn’t mind having their faces in the article.

We were able to see those photos a few days later.

[Sowon General Hospital – Seongsoo Oriental Medicine Clinic Partnership Agreement Ceremony Held]

An internet article with this title came out.

When I checked the website, our clinic had been added to the list of partner hospitals.

Being squeezed between university hospitals, nursing hospitals, and Oriental Medicine Hospitals felt somewhat awkward?

“Well, we’ll grow too!”

I also posted content about the agreement on my blog and added another frame to the examination room.

* * *

“Yeowon, I have something to discuss. Could you spare some time after we finish seeing patients?”

Hwang Sanghun requested a meeting.

This was just over three months after I had hired him somewhat impulsively.

What could this be about?

…Is he resigning?

I couldn’t help but think that.

When Hwang Sanghun came down to Busan after fighting with his family, his self-esteem had hit rock bottom. It meant he had signed the contract without knowing his own worth.

But three months was enough time for the probation period to end.

During this time, he had quickly adapted to the work and gradually increased his patient base, though not as much as mine.

There were even grandmothers who waited for him every day, and quite a few people came specifically requesting Hwang Sanghun, saying they were referred by existing patients.

In other words, he must have realized his own value.

‘It shouldn’t be a resignation. Was having him work six days a week too much after all?’

There hadn’t been any signs until now though.

What else could he want to discuss in a meeting?

‘No. Let me think positively. Maybe he wants to adjust his work schedule!’

Spending three days a week in Junwon Online was indeed too much. It would probably be fine to reduce it to two days.

I could work hard on the day we work together, and I could handle five days a week myself.

The Four Kings grandmothers would be a little disappointed, but from their perspective, it’s better than not seeing them at all, right?

Please, anything but resignation! For everyone’s sake!

I waited nervously for the end of clinic hours.

“Yeowon, would it be okay if we introduced ultrasound into our treatment system?”

Hwang Sanghun’s proposal was completely different from what I expected.

First, I was relieved that it wasn’t about resignation.

“Ultrasound?”

“Yeah. You know about the Supreme Court ruling from last time, right?”

Of course I knew about it.

What Korean medicine doctor wouldn’t? Even though I didn’t interact much with my peers, it had been a hot topic in the community for a long time, and the association had even sent direct text messages about it.

Until then, the use of ultrasound by Korean medicine doctors had been a contentious issue regarding legal interpretation.

The mainstream interpretation was that using ultrasound for diagnostic purposes was not permitted under medical law, so only some Korean medicine doctors used it after obtaining consent forms stating it was for research purposes.

But recently, the Supreme Court ruled that Korean medicine doctors’ use of diagnostic equipment was legal.

Since then, the number of Korean medicine clinics introducing ultrasound had been rapidly increasing.

“Hmm… If it’s necessary, we should use it.”

I didn’t have any particular thoughts about it.

Even without using ultrasound to visualize the inside of the body, I could roughly sense things by focusing on the flow of energy.

I had treated patients well for 20 years without machines, so I wasn’t immediately interested.

Most importantly, I didn’t have the money.

But being able to sense even ligament conditions through energy perception was something only I could do.

I couldn’t teach it to Hwang Sanghun, nor could I convey what I felt to patients.

‘It would be better to get it before it’s too late.’

Currently, maybe only 1 out of 10 nearby Korean medicine clinics used ultrasound, but at this rate, half of them might be using it in just a few years.

A patient had recently mentioned that the Korean medicine clinic they attended in Seoul also did blood tests and ultrasounds.

I needed to quickly jump on this changing paradigm too.

Otherwise, I would just be left behind.

Since our ace associate director wanted to buy an ultrasound machine, it would be good for us to learn together.

“How much does it cost? I’ll look into it. I should also find some courses.”

The cost of equipment wasn’t too burdensome anymore, so I should invest in the clinic’s development.

I was getting tired of the game anyway!

“Oh, I already bought the machine. I also took courses separately while I was resting before coming here. At the hospital, they explained things while showing ultrasounds, but it was a bit frustrating not having one here.”

Huh? He already bought it?

Wasn’t he asking me to buy one?

“So you’ve been practicing at home this whole time? Have you tried it on patients too?”

“I used it a lot when I was an intern at the hospital. I also did continuous case studies with professors and resident seniors.”

My jaw dropped.

Is someone who worked at a big hospital really different? Korean University Traditional Medicine Hospital must be at the cutting edge!

Chu Miyoung had said she did it half-heartedly in school, not thinking she’d use Chuna therapy later.

Ultrasound was exactly at that level for our class.

Of course, I tried to learn everything given to me as diligently as possible, but… there’s no way I could use what I learned for dozens of hours 20 years ago in clinical practice.

That’s why I was planning to take separate courses and participate in practical study groups.

“…Are you skilled enough to make diagnoses right away?”

“I’m still inexperienced with things like abdominal ultrasound. But I can handle most musculoskeletal cases.”

Hooray!

Is it okay for an associate director to be this SSR-level?

“Really? Then there’s no reason not to!”

“We’ll need to use space, and it takes time to examine, so patients might get backed up. I should ask for understanding. Then I’ll take it as permission and bring it over?”

“Of course! When you have time, teach me a bit too!”

I immediately clung to Hwang Sanghun and pestered him to teach me.

To think there was someone right next to me who knew how to do it! I could learn at our clinic without having to go far!

I had prided myself on buying low when Hwang Sanghun didn’t know his own value, but I hadn’t fully extracted all his abilities!

“Ah, I wasn’t trying to burden you too. It’s fine if I just use it occasionally by myself.”

“No. If we’re going to introduce it, we should do it properly. Let’s put up a sign both inside and outside the clinic saying ultrasound examinations are available, and I should do it too!”

If some people do it and others don’t, it creates confusion in treatment methods.

It wouldn’t look good if my patient asked for an ultrasound and I had to pass them to Hwang Sanghun.

If I’m going to learn it anyway, I should do it properly with this opportunity.

“Teaching isn’t difficult, but…”

Hwang Sanghun trailed off.

I understand.

We both don’t have much time to rest during work hours, so he probably wouldn’t want to set aside separate time on holidays.

“Right. Oppa, how about changing to 5 days a week starting next month?”

“5 days a week? …Are sales not doing well?”

Hwang Sanghun’s face, which had been excited about bringing the ultrasound machine, darkened.

“No, no! You’re doing so well! I suggested it because it would be too hard for you to work 6 days a week and still find time to teach me. Of course, the salary stays the same! Think of it as a lecture fee. How about it?”

“If we operate 7 days a week anyway, neither of us would get days off, right?”

“Still, it’s tiring.”

“I’m fine. Working is fun. When we’re not busy, or if you’re okay with it, I’ll teach you after work.”

Ah, as expected, Hwang Sanghun was the best slave—no, deputy director.

To offer more time while working 6 days a week!

To think I suspected such a person of wanting to quit!

“I’d be so grateful if you did that!”

Oh my, when he’s being so generous, it wouldn’t be polite to decline further, right?

I readily accepted.

“I’m glad I can help in this way at least. You’ve done me so many favors.”

Favors?

Could he mean letting him sleep at the clinic?

Or registering him at the gym to work him harder?

…Anyway, since we’re both satisfied, let’s call it WIN-WIN.

We decided on the treatment system reorganization.

And Hwang Sanghun brought a 20 million won medical ultrasound machine the very next day.

Not all ultrasound machines cost that much. It’s not high-end, but if you buy a small portable one that connects to an iPad secondhand, it’s possible for less than 1/4 of that price!

“You bought this? When?”

He must have bought it during his internship, right? When his parents were supporting him?

Yes, that must be it.

He’s penniless now, but his family is incredibly wealthy.

“Ah, I bought it on installment as soon as I got my second month’s salary.”

But my suspicion turned out to be right.

He said he used his entire first month’s salary for the deposit, and now installments with his second month’s salary…

To spend several months’ worth of salary on this, good heavens.

‘You’re throwing several months’ salary into an ultrasound machine? Are you in your right mind?!’

An ultrasound console FLEX, no less.

How can such a person exist?

“Haha, does it take up too much space? Where should we put it?”

Whether I was shocked or not.

Hwang Sanghun smiled brightly as if he was extremely happy while setting up the machine.

‘Well, whatever. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters!’

I’m happy too.

I get to study enjoyably.

And if he took out installments, there’s no worry about him quitting!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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