Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Fear and Grief

Posted by Lieutenant Kreed (Chief Medical Officer) in Fear and Grief
<snip>

“Hmm.” Roman was silent for a while as he thought, drinking from his tea occasionally. “I was never much the casual conversation type. Not even before… everything.” He said with a shrug. His friend had been the outgoing one… But if he thought about that, he was going to cry. He pushed it away.

~ Roman

“Really? Why not? I would think that as both a scientist and command officer, conversation would be a necessary skill to have. Would it not?” Kreed asked and sipped his tea.

Kreed, CMO

“As a scientist, one must only share information, sometimes teach.” Roman replied. “As first officer, sure, but non personal small talk suffices and still serves to make me seem approachable. Talk to anyone on board, they have no problem coming to me.”

~ Roman

Kreed looked at him with slight confusion. “As a scientist you only share information? Teach? You never debate or discuss different perspectives? Different results? You make a finding and that is all there is to it? I find that somewhat hard to believe. At least, in medical science settings, it is not anywhere close to that.”

Kreed, CMO

Roman tipped his head. “I suppose I don’t think of that as conversation. That is a must in science. Though my field, xenozoology and xenobiology, most of my work is around observations of nature.”

~ Roman

“So what do you consider ‘conversation’ then, I wonder?” Kreed mused. “I think conversation is a delicate balance between the needed exchange of information… and the inherent desire of living things to connect on a primal level. I said that once in a lecture at the Vulcan Science Academy. It was surprisingly well received afterwards.”

Kreed, CMO

“Depends on the type. To exchange information or debate findings is one thing. To discuss personal matters or make small talk is quite another.” Roman replied. “You spoke about conversation on Vulcan? I thought you weren’t a counselor.”

~ Roman

“I am not.” Kreed replied after he took a drink of tea. “I am a medical doctor. But part of any doctor - patient dynamic is conversation and communication. We can only be as good as the information our patients give us. If a patient comes in and tells me they feel sick, I will approach that from one perspective. If, however, they tell me they feel sick because they ate three day old oyters, that is another matter altogether.”

Kreed, CMO

Roman shrugged. “I never saw a point in going in for something I could solve myself. It’s a waste of time.” He looked at Kreed as he finished his tea, “Isn’t it your job to ask if there’s any reason one might feel sick… Like three days old oysters?”

~ Roman

Kreed shrugged and nodded. “In part, yes. But… if I establish from the beginning of my interaction with a patient my need for complete information; then the patient understands and can save themselves time and discomfort by telling me about the oysters right away.” Kreed finished his own tea and then picked up the pot, gesturing to Alden to ask if he would like more.

The Commander nodded and offered his cup.

Kreed refilled it, then his own.

“But in order for the patient to be comfortable telling me about the oysters,-” Kreed continued, “- they have to know that I won’t judge them for doing something questionable… like eating days-old shellfish. If I, the doctor, set the tone from the beginning that I am there to help and not to critisize; then the patient will be more comfortable giving me the I formation I need to treat them more effectively… and efficiently.”

Kreed, CMO

Roman nodded. “You can’t account for patients leaving out information they seem irrelevant. Perhaps your patient doesn’t know it’s not good to eat three day old oysters.” He commented. He seemed more like his usual self. Calm, collected, relaxed, focused.

~ Roman

Kreed nodded. “True, but that is where communication outside of the normal interactions comes into play. Proactive communication. Here in Star Fleet, training in exactly how to talk to a doctor and a nurse. What kinds of information we need. Not only does that help us- the practitioners- it helps the crew. It takes some of the edge off of coming to see us.” He lifted his cup and looked directly at Alden. “Believe it or not, but you are not the only individual who is averse to Sickbay.” and he took a sip.

Kreed, CMO

Roman glanced up, that defensive look in his eye. “I’m aware. Ensign Melton, in Chemistry. Or Ensign Travers in Geology. Both not fond of Sickbay.” The difference was, they weren’t Roman. Roman wasn’t allowed to be afraid of something so stupid, by his own subconscious rulebook. Other people were, he wasn’t.

~ Roman

“Oh, far more than that.” Kreed said. “White coat phobia is actually fairly common.” He took a drink and then said “I know of an Admiral who hasn’t set foot in a Sickbay or Medical Center in over a standard decade. Rank has it’s privileges, I suppose.” and he sipped his tea.

Kreed, CMO