The father of my 60-year-old primary care physician was also an MD. The older man was a solo practitioner, a vanishing breed. His daily routine offers us an example of the wonders and challenges of medical specialization.

You didn’t have to make an appointment with Dr. R’s dad. You only needed to show up and sign in on a blackboard in the waiting room. Each signee was seen in order.

Things are far more complicated today. I could give you a long account of that issue, but instead, I’ll offer a relevant but amusing one.

The following interaction between a doctor and his patient has either happened or soon will:

A man with pain in his right pedal extremity (foot) searched the internet for a podiatrist, a.k.a. a medical expert in the treatment of feet. A few days before, he began to experience significant pain in the big toe of his right foot. The soonest he could arrange his visit to the specialist was weeks ahead, but he had little choice.

After suffering for over a month, it was time for the appointment. The MD asked him to remove his socks and to stretch himself out on the examining table. The physician gently pressed on his foot, almost fondling it, before locating a tender area in the hallux (big toe).

He then compared the tenderness in the right foot to the same area in the left tootsie department. After much thoughtful consideration, the specialist said the following to the gentlemen attached to the feet.

Well, you definitely have a problem. Unfortunately, I can’t help you. You see, I’m actually a little toe guy, not a big toe guy. The big toe guys are in demand these days, but best of luck finding one!

Speaking of stories, I tell a few to Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson on their podcast Episode 46: Being Your Own Best Friend With Dr. Gerald Stein – Part I.

Our conversation expands on a few points I made in my blog post, How to Become Your Own Best Friend.

The photo shows a podiatrist examining the hallux (big toe). It was sourced from Wikimedia Commons and is the work of Wine France.