"Dr. Liu, how did I do?" Qing Kewa asked cheerfully after the patient left.
"Your speed was commendable," Liu Banxia said after a moment's thought. "However, you still need to improve when it comes to considering the patient's feelings. Even though we're in the emergency department, not all patients require urgent treatment. We need to pay more attention to this aspect."
Qing Kewa blinked, not quite understanding.
Liu Banxia then turned to Liang Xiaolin. "Your technique is more delicate, and you're considerate of the patient's feelings, but the speed of your wound cleaning needs to improve."
"Moreover, you're overly concerned with the patient's feelings. A wound that could be cleaned in one swipe, you might wipe twice. When considering both patient comfort and the effectiveness of the cleaning, I believe the latter is also very important."
Liang Xiaolin wrinkled her nose. She had expected some praise, but instead, she received criticism.
"Both of you, hold out your hands," Liu Banxia said.
The two young women obediently extended their fair hands to Liu Banxia.
"Wound cleaning and suturing are the most fundamental skills for us surgeons," Liu Banxia said, picking up an iodine-soaked cotton ball with forceps.
"During the procedure, we must consider the patient's feelings as well as the effectiveness of our cleaning. These two things are not contradictory; we can achieve both through practice."
After speaking, he rubbed the iodine-soaked cotton ball on Qing Kewa's palm. He used a fair amount of force, similar to the pressure Qing Kewa had used when cleaning the wound earlier.
After this wipe, Liu Banxia then wiped her palm again, this time very lightly.
"What did you feel?" Liu Banxia asked.
"A bit cool, and a bit itchy," Qing Kewa replied after thinking carefully.
Liang Xiaolin, who was standing nearby with her hand still outstretched, couldn't help but chuckle. Qing Kewa wasn't wrong; it was a completely honest answer.
"I wasn't asking you to focus on the coolness or itchiness, but to feel the pressure," Liu Banxia said with a sigh of resignation.
"Oh... The first time was heavy, the second was light," Qing Kewa quickly corrected.
"Light and heavy are subjective sensations for each person," Liu Banxia continued, then performed the same two wipes on Liang Xiaolin's palm.
"When we're treating patients, it's actually a bit like a battle with them. We need to gather a lot of information, and the most crucial piece is understanding the patient's pain tolerance."
"During the first wipe, we must observe the patient's expression. Try to judge from their face whether our pressure is too heavy or too light."
"All wound cleaning is painful. However, if we are quick enough and stay within the patient's pain tolerance, they will relax and cooperate with us."
"Otherwise, the patient might instinctively flinch during wound cleaning, which not only increases their suffering but also extends the cleaning time."
"What both of you need to master now is this sense of pressure. If you can learn to distinguish several more gradations of the force I just demonstrated, you'll be able to adjust it as needed during wound cleaning."
"Furthermore, when wiping, try to roll the iodine-soaked cotton ball as much as possible. Otherwise, some contaminants might be pushed from one area to another by the cotton ball, which would actually make our job harder."
Initially, Liang Xiaolin hadn't paid much mind, thinking Liu Banxia was just showing off. But as she listened, she began to find his points quite logical.
When she watched Liu Banxia clean wounds, she only noticed how fast he was and how patients didn't seem to feel pain. She had assumed that being as gentle and quick as possible was all that mattered.
Only now did she realize that wasn't the case. Even simple wound cleaning could involve so many techniques. Why hadn't this guy mentioned it before?
Thinking this, the young woman looked at Liu Banxia with a hint of annoyance in her eyes.
Liu Banxia said, "Watch closely."
He paid no mind to her feelings. He reached out with his left hand, took Liang Xiaolin's small hand, and with his right hand, picked up another iodine-soaked cotton ball with the forceps. He then demonstrated a rolling wipe on her palm.
"This requires a high degree of dexterity in your fingers and wrist. However, with more practice, you can master it. Anyway, I believe it will be quite helpful in our future suturing work."
"When we suture, we also need dexterity in our fingers, wrists, and eyes. The nature of the work is different, but the requirements for our skills are quite similar."
"When you have free time, you can do more finger and wrist exercises. Qing Kewa, how are you with chopsticks?"
Qing Kewa shook her head. "Not very good. I usually use a spoon."
"You should use chopsticks from now on. It can also help exercise your fingers," Liu Banxia advised.
"Later, you can also try hanging small weights from them to train your finger and wrist strength. But be careful not to use anything too heavy, or you might injure your wrists."
"Wow! Dr. Liu, you're amazing! So amazing!" Qing Kewa exclaimed happily after trying it herself.
Liu Banxia felt a little smug. Most people just wiped normally when cleaning wounds; his rolling wipe technique could be considered a unique skill.
And honestly, Qing Kewa was a true beauty, an exotic one at that. Who wouldn't enjoy being praised by a beautiful woman?
"So this hands-on teaching is actually this effective! Dr. Liu, I want to learn too."
Liu Banxia was still feeling pleased with himself when Qing Kewa extended her hand to him again, her expression quite serious.
Liu Banxia was a bit dumbfounded. Was this some kind of children's game to them? He had only demonstrated by holding Liang Xiaolin's hand because he was more familiar with her.
"Actually, you can just get a feel for it yourself. I'll go check on things outside," Liu Banxia said, then quickly slipped away.
He had already noticed Liang Xiaolin's unusual gaze and knew he couldn't foolishly continue this hand-holding business.
"Qing Kewa, what's wrong? Did Dr. Liu criticize you?" Zhou Li couldn't help asking when she saw Qing Kewa come out of the treatment room looking a bit unhappy.
Qing Kewa shook her head. "Dr. Liu didn't criticize me; he's very skilled. But I must be untalented. He didn't hold my hand to teach me, only Doctor Liang's."
Liu Banxia, walking ahead, almost tripped and fell. What on earth was she talking about? Could the cultural difference between their countries really be this significant?
Liang Xiaolin also blushed slightly, feeling as if she had just done something improper.
"I give up with you. Fine, you can feel it too," Liu Banxia said, exasperated.
He took Qing Kewa's hand and traced lines on it with his finger, varying the pressure from light to heavy.
"Thank you, Dr. Liu!" Qing Kewa said, delighted.
In her mind, this was Liu Banxia acknowledging her talent. To be affirmed by such an amazing doctor meant she truly was capable.
She didn't notice the others looking their way, their gazes filled with probing curiosity.
It was no wonder; anyone who saw that would let their imagination run wild. Was this his training method, this little game of touching hands? Was he taking advantage of the situation, or was he *simply* taking advantage? How audacious!