The patient sits down at the start of their 15-minute appointment and pulls out their list.

My face betrays the surge of anticipatory anxiety inspired by its length, and the patient is quick to reassure me: “I know we’ve only got a single appointment, but I just need my scripts and a couple of quick referrals!”

My heart sinks further. The pace and intensity of modern life has had an interesting effect on the practice of medicine.

We are required to do everything faster and with less inconvenience to the patient — who, after all, has a busy life and little time for unimportant things — without compromising on the high quality, comprehensive care they still expect.