Sunday, November 21, 2010

Slow Night, So Long (Season 7, Episode 9)

We doctors take pride in the fact that we can basically sleep standing up.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  But, it's a false pride, because the truth is, after about twenty hours hours without sleep, we might as well just come to work drunk, doctor, or not.  So, it's no wonder that fatal medical errors increase at night, when we doctors are, proudly, sleeping on our feet.  Recently, our communal pride has been shattered, and our egos have been wounded by new laws that require that we sleep all day before we work all night.  We're not happy about it, but, as someone who may one day need medical care, you really should be. 

Under the cover of darkness, people do things they'd never do under the harsh glare of day.  Decisions feel wiser.  People feel older.  But when the sun rises, you have to take responsibility for what you did in the dark, and face yourself under the cold, harsh light of day.

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