After the surgery, Qin Donglai made a copy of the video recording of Wu Ting's tendon suture procedure.
He watched it carefully back at his office and confirmed that Wu Ting's mastery of tendon suturing was strikingly similar to his own technique, yet with an added touch of flexibility. It was clear his theoretical knowledge was also extensive. All things considered, Wu Ting's skill had even surpassed his own.
'What incredible surgical talent. To reach this level just through self-study and practice alone.'
Qin Donglai watched it again. A bold idea suddenly occurred to him. Since Wu Ting had learned the Suturing Skill from his surgical videos, he could be considered, in a way, half a student of his.
'That makes him one of my own!'
As a senior attending physician at City First Hospital, Qin Donglai held a certain status in Fan City, especially in the eyes of county-level hospitals.
Before this, whenever he had free time, Qin Donglai often went to Yu State Hospital for "freelance surgeries" to earn extra money.
The so-called "freelance surgery" was a term for when specialists from major hospitals went to community-level hospitals after hours or on their days off to perform surgeries for extra income.
Due to the uneven distribution of medical resources, top specialists were all concentrated in tertiary hospitals, leaving community-level hospitals with relatively lower medical standards. For surgeries that were particularly difficult or involved rare and complex diseases, the local doctors often lacked the necessary skills. If patients were to travel to a major hospital, the travel and accommodation costs for them and their families would be a significant expense. Therefore, the local hospital would invite specialists to perform the surgery, allowing patients to receive high-quality medical services right at their doorstep. Not only were the medical fees much lower than at major hospitals, but it also saved them the costs of transportation, food, and lodging, not to mention the crucial issue of avoiding long queues for appointments.
Of course, besides benefiting the patients, the existence of freelance surgery also allowed local doctors to learn and exchange knowledge with high-level specialists, improving their professional skills and increasing the hospital's bed turnover rate.
At the same time, the specialists from major hospitals could also enhance their local influence and increase their income through these freelance gigs.
In short, freelance surgery was a win-win-win situation for patients, hospitals, and physicians.
This week, Qin Donglai had already arranged with Duan Qiang, the director of the emergency department at Yu State Hospital, to perform a total of eight tendon suture surgeries.
Given Qin Donglai's stamina, completing eight procedures would be quite exhausting. But if he brought Wu Ting along this time, it would be much easier.
He had previously considered Cheng Feng, but he wasn't mature enough. Wu Ting was different; he could already hold his own in tendon suturing.
Going to Yu State Hospital for freelance surgery would also give Wu Ting more practical experience and allow them to build a rapport. As Director Huo's trusted confidant, Qin Donglai was always far-sighted in how he handled his relationships.
Having made up his mind, Qin Donglai called Wu Ting.
Wu Ting couldn't have been happier about the offer to perform freelance surgery at Yu State Hospital. He could perform surgeries and earn a fee. Most importantly, operating alongside Dr. Qin meant there was a chance for new skill tags to drop!
After they set the date, Qin Donglai came to pick up Wu Ting early in the morning on their day off in his Audi A8.
Wu Ting was a little surprised to see Qin Donglai's car. But on second thought, as a senior attending physician in City First Hospital's emergency department, Qin Donglai's skill was unquestionable. He was in the prime of his life, and with the extra money he earned from constantly taking on freelance surgeries in his spare time, it was only natural that he was well-off.
'Otherwise, how could a man like Dr. Qin, who was barely over five-foot-three with thinning hair, have attracted the curvaceous, five-foot-ten Madam Qin?'
The more Qin Donglai looked at the dapper Wu Ting, the more he liked what he saw. Bringing such a handsome assistant along really did add to his prestige.
"When we get there, I'll do the first surgery as a demonstration. You'll take the lead on the ones after that. Even though it's your first time doing a freelance surgery, don't be nervous. With your current tendon suturing skills, you'll completely blow away those junior doctors at the county hospital."
Qin Donglai encouraged Wu Ting, his mind drifting back to his own first freelance surgery. He was already a chief resident back then.
With the roar of the Audi A8's engine, it wasn't long before the two of them arrived at Yu State Hospital.
The moment they drove up to the hospital entrance, they were met with Director Duan's warm and meticulous welcome.
Wu Ting looked at the banner hanging over the entrance—"A Warm Welcome to the Experts from City First Hospital on their Guidance Visit!"—and couldn't help but feel impressed by the grand gesture.
After they got out of the car, they met Director Duan of the county hospital's emergency department. Director Duan was over six feet tall and very lean and wiry, looking exceptionally shrewd.
In inviting Qin Donglai this time, he of course wanted to maximize the benefits. Hanging a banner not only gave Dr. Qin plenty of face but also created a solemn, academic atmosphere for his own junior doctors. At the same time, it gave patients the impression that Yu State Hospital frequently had experts from City First Hospital providing surgical guidance.
"Director Duan, this is Dr. Wu Ting from our department. Dr. Wu is young and promising, and he has considerable attainments in tendon suturing, so I brought him along for an exchange of knowledge."
Qin Donglai introduced Wu Ting to Director Duan.
Director Duan was surprised to see how young Wu Ting was, but since Dr. Qin had brought him, he certainly didn't dare to be dismissive.
"Dr. Wu, one can tell at a glance that you're a man of great talent. A bright future awaits, a bright future indeed."
Director Duan shook Wu Ting's hand enthusiastically, though inwardly he didn't pay him much mind. Wu Ting simply looked too young. He probably just brought him along as his own assistant to make the consecutive eight tendon surgeries go more smoothly.
After all, when doctors did freelance surgeries, they often had issues with synergy when working with the medical staff of the local hospital. It was never as smooth as working with their own assistants.
Tendon surgery itself was a minor procedure, and Director Duan had already discussed the patients' conditions with Dr. Qin in advance. So, the group dispensed with further pleasantries and went straight to pre-operative preparations to get into surgery as quickly as possible.
According to the original plan, Dr. Qin would be the lead surgeon for the first operation, with Wu Ting as his first assistant.
The first patient had a ruptured flexor tendon. Director Qin used the conventional Kessler suture method for the repair.
After the surgery began, Director Duan had the junior doctors from the county hospital gather in the observation room to watch Dr. Qin's procedure.
These doctors all brought notepads and pens, ready to learn diligently.
After the patient was given a brachial plexus block for anesthesia, the surgery officially began.
Dr. Qin started the demonstration with the incision. Having seen Wu Ting's incision work last time, he knew his skill level was average, so he deliberately slowed down and explained it in detail.
Wu Ting listened attentively from the side, not looking down on the lesson just because he had already obtained Incision Skill (Yellow).
An elder was willing to teach, and he had to accept the gesture of kindness.
"...Intraoperatively, make an extended incision, resect part of the tendon sheath, and carefully use a hemostat to find the proximal end of the flexor pollicis longus tendon from within the palm..."
Dr. Qin explained in meticulous detail.
In the observation room, the doctors from the county hospital were also listening with rapt attention.
"Dr. Qin's explanation is so detailed this time. I'm so jealous of that young doctor who gets to learn from such a close distance."
"Yeah, that young doctor is so lucky. But we're also benefiting from his presence; that's why Dr. Qin is explaining things so finely."
These county hospital doctors naturally didn't believe Wu Ting could already stand on his own. They just saw him as a rookie who was just starting to learn tendon surgery.
With Dr. Qin's painstakingly detailed explanation, all the doctors in the observation room were utterly engrossed.
The first tendon suture surgery was a complete success!
"As expected of Dr. Qin, he's amazing!"
"I learned so much, and that was only the first one. We're really in for a treat today."
"The next surgery is also a very typical case of tendon rupture repair. I can't wait!"
...
Clearly, Dr. Qin's surgery was a resounding success. In the observation room, Director Duan was all smiles. 'Dr. Qin's skills are truly solid and reliable!' he thought.
After a short break, amidst everyone's anticipation, the second surgery began.