Too Young

A patient's son calls me.

"I wanted to talk to you.  You saw my father for the first time on Monday."

"Yes, I did."

"He said you looked too young to be a doctor."

"He told me that too.  I'm not that young."

"How old are you?"

"[age]."

"That's young."

"I'm sorry.  That's how old I am."

"I don't think that makes you a good doctor."

"I don't think anyone's age makes them a good doctor or a bad doctor."

"He said you were still in training."

"Sure.  I'm a fellow."

"So you're not really a doctor?"

"No, I am a doctor."

"He said you weren't."

"I had this conversation with your father too."

"He said you barely even asked for a history."

"No, we spent a while trying to go through his history, but he was having trouble remembering it, because he has dementia.  It might have been helpful to have someone else at the appointment who had a better sense of his background, but if you want to go through that now, I can be better equipped next time I see him."

"Oh, there won't be a next time.  We don't want a doctor with so little experience."

"Okay, that's fine.  You're free to find a different doctor."

"You're not even going to defend yourself?"

"I'm not sure what you wish would have been done at the visit, but if you're more comfortable with an older doctor, there's no reason for me to try and change your mind."

"Yeah.  Too young."

"Okay.  Is that it?"

"Well, I was also wondering if you could refill my Oxycodone."

"You're not my patient."

"My father's last doctor did it."

"I'm sorry, sir.  I wish you and your father all the best."