Wu Ting was ecstatic to see that this time's reward was the Tracheotomy skill. This was a trump card for any emergency physician.
Many residents rarely mastered it. After all, it was a life-saving technique used only in the most critical moments, when an artificial airway needed to be established for a severely ill patient.
This skill alone made the freelance surgery trip more than worth it.
After the third surgery, Qin Donglai gave Wu Ting some time to rest.
The fourth surgery began soon after. This one was relatively simple, and Wu Ting's performance was as steady as ever.
Once the fourth surgery was complete, it was time for a lunch break.
Four surgeries in the morning, four in the afternoon. At noon, Director Duan had specially arranged for them to have a meal in the hospital's small cafeteria.
The surgeries resumed in the afternoon with another four routine tendon suture procedures.
He wasn't so lucky with the four afternoon surgeries. He only got a few minor item drops from the county hospital doctors, but it was better than nothing.
The eight surgeries finally concluded amidst everyone's admiration.
Wu Ting's first freelance surgery experience came to a perfect end.
When Wu Ting and Dr. Qin walked out of the operating room after the final procedure, Director Duan and his team of doctors were waiting for them outside.
Looking at the young Wu Ting, the doctors broke into heartfelt applause.
"Dr. Wu, you're truly young and promising."
"Yes, Dr. Wu has shown us what true surgical talent looks like. It's been an honor to witness your operations."
The doctors surrounded Wu Ting and Dr. Qin, engaging in enthusiastic conversation.
Director Duan stepped forward to offer some concluding remarks, his eyes burning with passion as he looked at the two of them.
"Dr. Qin, Dr. Wu, you must come to our hospital for exchanges and learning more often in the future. If Dr. Qin is busy, Dr. Wu can come alone. I'll personally come to pick you up."
Director Duan was completely won over by Wu Ting.
Seeing Wu Ting conquer Director Duan with just one freelance surgery trip made Qin Donglai proud.
"Of course, of course. When a suitable opportunity arises, Dr. Wu and I will definitely come over."
With a great asset like Wu Ting by his side, Qin Donglai's mind started buzzing with ideas. 'It seems I can take on more freelance work and visit more hospitals.'
He was getting older, his work at City First Hospital was already demanding, and he had a beloved wife at home, so he had to be selective and moderate his freelance schedule.
But now, with a young man like Wu Ting, he could really go all out.
Director Duan personally escorted Dr. Qin and Wu Ting to their car. Before they left, he pressed two envelopes into their hands.
"Dr. Qin, if he were an ordinary assistant, I would have just prepared one payment. But Dr. Wu is perfectly capable of leading on his own. So, I've prepared a separate fee for his hard work. Please, accept it as a small token of my sincerity and appreciation."
Director Duan made sure to explain this to Dr. Qin.
Dr. Qin was very pleased with this arrangement. 'Director Duan really knows how to do things right.'
Dr. Qin could tell from the thickness of the envelopes that his payment was the originally agreed-upon amount, which was meant to include the assistant's fee.
This meant Wu Ting's envelope was an entirely separate, additional payment.
After Director Duan left, Dr. Qin took two thousand yuan from his own envelope and gave it to Wu Ting.
"Wu Ting, this is your share of the fee we originally agreed upon. As for the one Director Duan gave you separately, you keep it. It's a sign of his goodwill, and it shows he hopes for a long-term collaboration with us."
Dr. Qin was also very principled when it came to distributing fees; he preferred a steady, long-term working relationship.
Wu Ting nodded and accepted Dr. Qin's kind gesture.
'This freelance surgery trip was a huge score!'
After all, Wu Ting was still a resident trainee with no real salary, just a meager stipend.
'Wow, freelance surgery really pays well!'
Wu Ting couldn't help but marvel.
According to current market rates, a senior attending physician from City First Hospital could earn 5,000 to 10,000 yuan for a freelance surgery trip. A top-tier chief physician would start at 10,000 yuan at a minimum.
For Wu Ting to receive a separate payment as Dr. Qin's assistant was a clear testament to Director Duan's sincerity.
A tendon suture surgery like the ones Wu Ting had just performed typically costs a little over 3,000 yuan. For eight surgeries, the total would be around 25,000 yuan.
However, that total cost included anesthesia, pathology tests, consumables, medication, skin preparation, and more. Therefore, the fee paid for the freelance surgeon's labor was extremely high in comparison.
But from the county hospital's perspective, this investment brought long-term benefits: a better reputation, patient trust, and a learning opportunity for their own doctors. That was why Director Duan was willing to pay such a high price!
This was also why many doctors were willing to do freelance surgery in their spare time. Compared to the negligible commission they earned from surgeries at their own hospitals, these freelance fees represented a major source of income!
「 」
After this freelance surgery trip, Wu Ting and Dr. Qin had truly formed a personal bond.
The following Monday, just after arriving at the hospital, Dr. Qin came to find Wu Ting specifically to give him an assignment.
"Wu Ting, as emergency physicians, we don't just perform routine surgeries. We also need to participate in discussions about surgical plans and analyze patients' conditions. As it happens, the hospital has admitted a patient with a rather unusual case. This afternoon, I've contacted three physicians from the pain management department, general surgery, and the National Medical Department to hold a multi-departmental consultation. You should join in and broaden your horizons."
This was Qin Donglai's way of deliberately mentoring him.
"Okay, thank you, Dr. Qin!"
"Mhm. Use your free time this morning to familiarize yourself with the patient's case and organize all her examination data so far."
Dr. Qin gave a few more instructions before rushing off to an emergency rescue surgery.
Possessing the Diagnosis Skill (Purple), Wu Ting was naturally very much looking forward to this multi-departmental consultation.
The fact that Dr. Qin had to invite experts from multiple departments for a consultation showed just how difficult this patient's case was.
After completing his rounds with Dr. Luo Ming, Wu Ting went specifically to see the patient in Bed 8.
The patient was a 36-year-old woman who had been admitted three days ago.
Wu Ting looked over the patient's medical history and was somewhat taken aback by what he saw.
'Recurrent severe abdominal pain... she also has hypertension, tachycardia, fatigue, numbness in her limbs... and hyponatremia!'
What surprised Wu Ting the most was another bizarre symptom: during her episodes of abdominal pain, her urine changed color significantly when exposed to light.
'Urine turns red under light exposure!'
Reading about these conditions, Wu Ting's mood grew heavy.
Since they couldn't find the true cause of her illness, they could only treat the symptoms. When the abdominal pain was severe, all they could do was give her painkillers.
But this was by no means a long-term solution.
'No wonder they have to bring in doctors from pain management, general surgery, and even the National Medical Department for a multi-departmental consultation.'
'What could be the cause?'
Under the effect of his Diagnosis Skill (Purple), Wu Ting's mind began racing.