“As you know, your new employer requires a physical prior to you starting…work...” she paused while she read more of the details on the clipboard. “...And…” she slowly continued, “...ah...there are a few additional samples required for some special tests.” Dr Routson flipped thru the papers, noting some interesting points to herself.
“I will have my assistant join us in just a moment. Also, in an effort to train the next generation of doctors we occasionally include a student in appointments like this, if it's alright with you.”
While it technically was asked as a question, the tone in her voice let Bob know there was only one acceptable answer. Bob was already a little apprehensive about having a physical, but he gave in to doctor’s authority, not wanting to be seen as a difficult patient
“That's fine” he said.
“Very good.” The doctor replied, and tapped twice on the door with her pen. A moment later it opened and in walked two people dressed in the same white lab coats as the doctor was wearing. These two were wearing paper masks over their mouth and nose, so Bob could really only see their eyes. One was an asian girl, with her long black hair pulled back tight. The other was a tall man with dark skin, a shaved head, and large round eyes. Bob did not know which was the assistant and which was the student. With three of them in the room Bob felt smaller and even more helpless than before.
“Your visit today is to confirm your physical condition as it relates to your ability to perform your future job. It also is to provide a baseline for comparison if your health were to change in the future. The last reason is to verify that you do not harbor any viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. that could accidentally contaminate the workplace. This level of concern, given your prospective employer, should come as no surprise to you.”
“I understand.” Bob replied.
“As you would probably expect, your employer requires very thorough documentation. We are used to these requests and it will not be a problem for us to provide that. In cases like this, the doctor patient confidentiality is expanded to include the employer, in its totality.”
Dr Routson paused briefly to set down the clipboard, adjust her glasses, and clasp her hands together.
“Shall we begin?” She asked with a smile.
“Yes.” Bob answered with mild hesitation.
The doctor turned and opened an upper cupboard, exposing a rack of electronics. She pressed a power button bringing it to life, and then pressed a record button above it. A small red light began blinking at the top of the cupboard. Bob realized it was a video camera and it was aimed at himself on the examination table. As he looked around the room he now noticed 3 additional red blinking lights. What he thought had been a smoke detector on the ceiling was now blinking, as was a small box on the counter and a recessed panel on the opposite wall.
The doctor turned and faced the camera.
“I am Dr Routson. I will be performing physical examination number 57734. There are two witnesses.” The doctor stepped aside and the other two stepped up and faced the camera. The girl lowered her mask so that the camera could see her whole face.
“I am Jane Hong.” She said. Then she replaced her mask.
“I am Andrew Tennor. “ The guy replaced his mask as well before turning to face the patient.
Bob felt like the least important person in the room. Even the camera got to see what they looked like, but Bob would not. They would get to see Bob at his most vulnerable, and he would never even get to see their face.