Chapter 8: David Isn't Trusted
Another clinic shift?
David couldn't help but frown.
Was he going to miss Rebecca's final treatment?
That wouldn't work. With just over two days of life remaining, he desperately needed every possible opportunity to extend it.
House keenly noticed David's frown.
He assumed David was dreading the difficult clinic patients.
A faint smile played across House's lips. He needed to teach David that being a doctor wasn't as simple as memorizing textbooks.
David was going to cover that clinic shift whether he liked it or not!
"What? You don't want to do clinic duty? Or do you think you're not up to handling it?
It's fine, just admit you can't manage it.
But then you won't be sitting in on the next differential diagnosis session..."
Before House could finish, David said decisively:
"No, I'll see the patients.
But after the X-ray, can I be the one to deliver Rebecca's final diagnosis?
I want hands-on patient interaction experience."
"Knock yourself out."
Although House found David's request a bit odd, he wouldn't refuse.
Grunt work like delivering diagnoses had always been intern territory.
It was actually better if David was willing to volunteer for more.
David, having secured House's agreement, nodded and headed toward the elevator bank at the end of the corridor.
For him, he could ignore Foreman's threat to torpedo his intern evaluation.
But he absolutely couldn't miss the opportunity to participate in future diagnostic cases!
After all, cases referred to Diagnostic Medicine were almost always life-threatening!
If there was anywhere he could save the most lives in the shortest time, the Department of Diagnostic Medicine was undoubtedly his best bet.
So he absolutely could not be excluded from the differential diagnosis sessions!
Watching David walk away, Foreman inexplicably felt a sense of threat.
Unless Princeton-Plainsboro expanded, all positions were fixed.
If David maintained his excellent performance, then inevitably someone in Diagnostic Medicine would face unemployment.
With this thought nagging at him, he couldn't help but voice the question weighing on his mind:
"House, the kid's just an intern. Is he really worth this much trust?"
House glanced at Foreman, seeming to see straight through his insecurities:
"Do I trust him? No. I only trust my own judgment.
If you're worried about being replaced, don't be.
What I need isn't excellent doctors—I need people with unique talents. Like you."
Hearing the subtext in House's words, Foreman was startled, then gave a bitter smile.
At sixteen, he'd broken into someone's home using his 'unique talents'—just to steal bread for his family.
He hadn't expected that what House valued in him wasn't his credentials as a Johns Hopkins graduate, but rather those very same talents.
This made Foreman genuinely feel that House was a manipulative bastard.
Unlike Foreman worrying about job security, Cameron was more concerned about David's clinic assignment:
"But aren't you setting him up for failure by having him face clinic patients alone?
He's still an intern. If there's a misdiagnosis or wrong prescription, the liability could be enormous.
Maybe I should go down and supervise."
Cameron moved toward the elevator as she spoke.
But soon, a well-worn cane blocked her path:
"Not necessary. You said it yourself—he's an intern.
It's completely normal for interns to make diagnostic errors.
Don't worry, I'll review all his clinic charts afterward.
As long as his basic clinical documentation is competent, I'll catch and correct any mistakes.
Now take Rebecca to Imaging. I'll be waiting for your results in the conference room."
Understanding House's final word on the matter, Cameron had no choice but to escort Rebecca to the Imaging Department for her X-ray.
On the way to Imaging, Chase noticed Cameron still looked troubled and couldn't help commenting:
"Cameron, everyone has to learn to stand on their own eventually.
A rough clinic experience will only motivate David to study harder.
Failure is what teaches people. Learning from mistakes.
Letting him adapt to this reality now will only benefit his career long-term.
If he can't even handle this, then he's not cut out for medicine.
There's no point worrying excessively about it."
Cameron sighed softly:
"That's true in theory, but isn't House's approach a bit harsh?
He's gambling with patients' health."
Chase smiled and shook his head:
"Don't you get him by now?
He talks a big game, but he's not the type to actually gamble with patient outcomes.
The reason he hates clinic duty is purely because he finds patients insufferable.
A kid's runny nose that could be diagnosed in thirty seconds requires thirty minutes explaining to the helicopter mom that it's just a common cold.
That kind of medicine bores him to tears.
So I'm betting the 'challenge' he's throwing at David is exactly that kind of case.
Even if there's a minor error later, it won't cause real harm. House is perfectly capable of catching it when he reviews the charts."
Cameron nodded:
"Let's hope you're right."
Meanwhile, David's first patient in clinic was a young boy.
A ten-year-old accompanied by his mother.
Exactly the type of clinic case House despised most.
After David conducted a basic interview and routine auscultation, he could conclusively determine that the boy had common childhood asthma.
For a case like this, where the asthma wasn't severe, symptoms could be controlled with continuous use of inhaled corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medications.
There was even a reasonable possibility of complete remission as he matured and his immune system strengthened.
But the prerequisite was long-term medication compliance.
However, his mother clearly had different ideas.
"Dr. Wells, I'm seriously questioning your qualifications right now.
I don't trust your judgment. I need to see Dr. House.
Dr. House must have another treatment option—not just constantly using an inhaler!
Do you realize that medication can stunt his growth and development!
My son is only ten years old. There's absolutely no need for such harsh medication!
There must be an alternative that won't affect his growth!"
David shook his head helplessly:
"Have you considered the possibility that without medication, your son might stop breathing?
In that scenario, are you sure you want to refuse treatment?
Moreover, asthma reduces the oxygen reaching his brain. Compared to the minimal risks of medication during childhood development, chronic oxygen deprivation is far more dangerous, isn't it?
I strongly recommend starting treatment immediately to prevent respiratory failure and simultaneously maximize his chances of full recovery."
Even after David's explanation, the boy's mother's face remained full of distrust.
"Are you threatening me? Because I will file a complaint!
You're so young—obviously you lack experience and can't think of alternatives.
But you can't just dismiss other options!
There must be other treatments. I'm going to wait right here until Dr. House shows up. I'm not leaving!"
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