First response

      Hearing complaints is a chief part of the job profile of a Doctor, be it a physician or surgeon. We are here to solve the complaints of patients or persons (because many of the people coming to OPD are do not have adequate suffering to qualify as a 'patient'). Even from medical school we are taught to write a case sheet starting with the chief complaints of the patient. Especially on Out patient days, we will be tired conversing with the patient.

        Once the threshold has reached or even otherwise, some persons come with such stupid doubts for which threshold is zero, 'first response' starts flowing in.
For example patient: 'Sir, I have leg pain while smoking'. Reply : 'Stop smoking'

Patient:' I have back ache while walking fast or bending down'.
Reply:' Stop bending down and avoid walking fast'

Patient:' I have stomach trouble on taking spicy food'
Reply:'Stop taking spicy food!'

Patient:' I am worried, I am masturbating too much?'
Reply:'Stop masturbating!'

Now these are reasonable replies. But as threshold goes down

Patient:' I have pain on passing stools'
Reply:' Stop passing stools'

Patient:' I cannot eat solid food'
Reply:' Stop eating!'

           Although all these first responses come like a passive reflex, we know that hearing complaints it is a part of profession. No person with sound mind will take the hardship of waiting long hours in queue to get an appointment and later to see the doctor unless he/she is really worried. A word of reassurance or a "doctor restriction" of diet or excersise   is effective most of the time.