The Tongue Depressor – Practical Tips / Living Tips

One of the senior physician (let us call him Dr. Med) and ENT (Oto-Rhino-Laryngologist) surgeon (let us call him Dr. En) were having a friendly discussion in a short coffee break from the busy OPD in a multi-specialty clinic.

The discussion slowly turned to respiratory tract infections (RTI), such as cough and cold, and its treatment. Earlier doctors used to use plastic or metal tongue depressor to check the throat of the patients coming with RTI. There was problem of hygiene and risk of cross-transfer of infection from one patient to another with these reusable tongue depressors.

To obviate the necessity to wash and disinfect the tongue depressors in between patients, doctors have widely shifted to using use and throw disposable wooden tongue depressors but with an increase in the recurring cost.

Dr. Med used to charge very nominal consultation fees from patients. He remarked to Dr. En that; while he charges just Rs. 40/- per consultation per patient, he has spending Rs. 5/- on the disposable wooden tongue depressor he uses to check the patient’s throat coming with complaints of sore throat or fever.

Dr. En removed a wooden tongue depressor from his bag and showed to Dr. Med. “Sir, are you using tongue depressor like this to check the patients?” he enquired.

Dr. Med closely examined the tongue depressor and remarked, “Yes, this is exactly like the ones which I am using. What is the cost of this depressor?” he enquired.

Dr. En remarked, “I buy 20 pieces for Rs. 5/-.”

“What!” Dr. Med was amazed. “Which medical supplier do you buy them?” he enquired.

Dr. En replied, “You buy them as wooden tongue depressor from medical suppliers and pay Rs. 5/- for each. I buy them from the local old city Ice Candy manufactures as ice-candy sticks and pay just 25 paise (Rs. 0.25) each.”

In life, cost of a thing is determined not just by its intrinsic value but also by its labels. The labels maybe of a famous brand, a popular shop, a renowned manufacturer or just naming the same object by grandiose terms or jargon. Be vigilant and shop smart. Avoid overpaying only for fancy terms or description.

— NKD

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

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