Chapter 186
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Specializing in Pediatrics
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"Pardon? You want us to focus on pediatric patients?"
The kid who had been bawling their eyes out upon entering the clinic ended up taking twenty needles without a fuss.
Seon Nayeon stared back, her face saying she hadn't even considered it.
"You've never thought about it even once?"
Honestly, what surprised me more was her surprise. She had the ability to calm a child her own mother couldn't control in an instant?
"We don't get many pediatric patients at our clinic. It's been less than six months since we opened, but we've only had two growth-related cases."
Seon Nayeon tapped her cheek with her fingers, looking troubled.
But I saw it differently.
"Are growth patients the only kind of pediatric cases? We just had a musculoskeletal one like earlier, and there are all sorts—rhinitis, poor appetite, atopic dermatitis, you name it."
"Hmm... Aren't those separate specialties rather than 'pediatrics' as a category?"
"Sure, but pediatrics isn't a specialty for nothing. And the knowledge side—diseases or child-specific traits—you can study that. What Director Seon has is something far more impressive."
"Me?"
She tilted her head.
"Kids listen to you. That's an irreplaceable skill—getting them to take needles and medicine."
Of course, a doctor's standard role is diagnosis and treatment.
But from a guardian's perspective, convincing the kid to come to the clinic and explaining symptoms is just the tip of the iceberg.
Especially with herbal meds that need long-term use—you're battling every morning and evening for a month straight with a kid who hates it.
They might start determined to give it six months, only to give up from exhaustion.
"Is that so."
Seon Nayeon still looked unconvinced.
"But it's not like I have some special know-how that makes kids obey me. Sure, my son listened to me from a young age, but that's just mom privileges... Oh, come to think of it, his friends would throw tantrums in front of their own parents but stop the second I told them not to."
"That's talent."
I said firmly.
What else do you call it when someone does effortlessly what others struggle with? A natural gift?
"Balancing adult authority with rapport isn't easy at all. You either get underestimated or end up scaring them."
"...Now that you mention it, yeah. In moms' groups or with guardians like earlier, I'd wonder why they were yelling or getting dragged around by their kids. Guess it came easy to me for some weird reason."
Some people read dozens of parenting books and spend years around kids without getting it right, while others form bonds instinctively.
"You don't dislike kids, do you?"
"Heavens, no! I love them! They're adorable just to look at, and they listen so well!"
Good thing she liked them too, on top of the talent. The direction was clear now.
I could picture how to restructure the clinic.
"So, you'll sign? Let's stamp and talk details."
"Ah, yes! I'd already made up my mind from the start!"
Convinced by my pitch, Seon Nayeon stamped without hesitation.
I'd planned to proceed if she showed passion upon meeting her.
Whether a doctor cares, gives their all in treatment—sincerity always reaches the patient.
Pulling motivation out of someone lounging around demanding to be taught is impossible, but gaps in skills and experience can be filled.
Trends? I was confused at first too, but I caught up!
After observing consultations and sending staff home,
I sat down with Seon Nayeon for a proper meeting.
"To boost pediatric patients, should we advertise in local cafes?"
"No. Start with in-clinic ads and the blog. External ads cost a lot and carry risks."
"Ah, in-clinic ads."
"We have a designer in our network we always use. We'll brainstorm the content together."
"Thank you!"
She was the same designer we'd outsourced to since Chu Miyoung's Instagram days—frequently commissioning posters for new treatment pushes.
"This is great. What a relief. I have zero interior design sense, so I've just been using what the previous director set up."
Which was pretty impressive, all things considered.
Compared to the doctor who handed it over to me, she was a saint.
Though the key money was incomparable, of course.
"People coming for other treatments will see the ads and ask if it might help their kid too. Give them thorough consults, treat well when they bring the child, and cases will pile up. Soon enough, folks will post about you in local cafes without asking."
Not about reputation management or viral marketing—just treat diligently every time, and word spreads naturally.
You connect with patients who can't keep good things to themselves.
We never promoted in local cafes, but our clinic gets plenty of mentions—over half recommend me, but Hwang Sanghun and Lee Areum pop up too.
"Got it. I'll follow your lead. Ads like that, and for injection therapy and chuna..."
Right, that's the issue.
Other stuff like studies or ads can be remote, but hands-on techniques have limits.
"Tough since you're already open, but let's make it work. For now, weekends until it's set up."
"Really? You'll oversee it personally, Director Han?"
Seon Nayeon looked shocked again.
"Of course?"
If she were from another branch's deputy, I'd delegate to that director, but what else for this?
Separate education committee? Nah, not at this scale. Even direct teaching isn't 100% transfer; adding a middleman guarantees gaps.
Efficiency aside, consulting in person like this was fun—I didn't want to hand it off.
"I'll come to Gwangju every Sunday for a while, so clear your schedule."
"I'll come to Busan every weekend!"
She shouted right as I spoke.
"Tang room's set up anyway, and things are slow. I'll head over."
"Nonsense. I should visit you! How can I send a senior around?"
Hm, true?
I'd done home tutoring as a student, so house calls felt normal.
"We'll alternate based on schedules and stamina. Next week, you come to Busan for observation."
No big deal either way, so I ended the debate there.
"Yes, early morning. Looking forward to it!"
"Let's make it great. Fighting."
A few trips back and forth, and fatigue would sort itself anyway?
'She's denser than I thought.'
The thought thickened on the drive back to Busan.
Detour to Daejeon for the train? No, round trip by car...
'Arghhh!'
The urge to ditch the car on the highway and lightness-skill my way back hit endlessly.
But contrary to my worries, Seon Nayeon came and went to Busan without a single complaint.
She insisted it was fine, even saying she enjoyed the alone time on these long trips.
"With a family, this much is nothing. My husband's got a three-hour daily commute. I used to go back and forth to Seoul for lectures all the time."
Her husband had opened a clinic pretty far from central Gwangju.
She'd shelled out hefty deposit and key money hoping for an easy commute, but things twisted, leaving her with long hauls for now.
"Alright, let's push today too. Isn't there always hardship before the sprout breaks through?"
"I think so too."
Her eyes sparkled every time, making even Lee Areum and Hwang Sanghun want to help however they could.
Lee Areum especially bonded with her fast.
"Director Seon, I'm in awe!"
"Oh, no! It's not that impressive..."
"Pediatric patients scare me a bit. Kids dread treatment, and guardians are always judging, expecting the best."
"Ah, no malice there. I've been in their shoes, so I get it better."
While I was busy, Lee Areum taught her injections and learned pediatric consult tips in return.
"I want to contribute too, but I'm no good at teaching."
Of course it wasn't easy.
No need right now anyway!
She'd pay network fees once revenue stabilized—why keep giving extras?
"Just take the help for now, then join study presentations and manual updates later."
"Yes! In-clinic ads are up, and I've seen a few pediatric rhinitis cases already. I'll present once I have some."
Her enthusiasm fired me up too.
"Director, you're too good at this."
"Thrusts are no worry now."
"Um, could you do my back injections just once?"
"Of course, Director Hwang!"
Our directors' praise each visit boosted her confidence daily.
Seon Nayeon truly worked hard.
Recording every initial consult herself, transcribing weak points after hours to send me.
I joined network directors in feedback, all impressed by her drive.
Impressive. This makes me realize how lax I've gotten.
What are you saying, Director Chu? I can do this thanks to your blog help!
We need to rediscover our beginner's spirit and work hard.
Chu Miyoung and Jeon Minji were hugely impressed too.
With my place struggling, this is just what I should do. You stepping up for someone else's clinic is what's amazing. Meeting Director Han and all of you is a huge opportunity for me!
Yu Kyung hun said with a slightly enlightened look.
Right. Meeting Director Han is a huge opportunity for us too. Or rather, a fated encounter.
Fated encounter?
"...Something like that."
I quickly cut off Yu Kyung-hun.
No desire to explain wuxia novel cliches here.
Busan's farther than Seoul, no? If you want, come observe at our clinic sometime.
Really? Thank you, Professor!
With efforts like this, naturally, Seon Nayeon's clinic improved steadily.
Not just her subjective satisfaction, but objective metrics—return visits, revenue—showed changes.
Initial consults were decent thanks to the location, but referrals grew, boosting them further.
By the time Seon Nayeon returned from Busan, it was already late Sunday evening.
Inevitably tired, but seeing her husband greet her at the door brought a smile.
"Honey, learn a lot today?"
"Yeah. Think I've mastered cervical and lumbar injections. Confidence is building, and it's getting fun."
"Glad to hear. Seeing you so dedicated motivates me too."
"Thanks for saying that. Must've been tough watching Re-min alone."
"Just what I should do. You suffered so much till I got settled. Sigh, compared to his wild toddler days, checking elementary homework is nothing."
Her husband fully supported her work focus.
Believed she'd succeed even when the clinic struggled.
No complaints despite her late-night studies and weekend overnights lately.
"Mom, you're back? Dad grilled mackerel. Eat!"
Her son seemed a tad grumpy but was old enough for reason now.
As her husband said, taming this one had been a chore.
Compared to refusing meals, skipping kindergarten, running away, or sprawling in the street for a game console— a proper young gentleman now.
"Mom, water here!"
"Thanks, sweetie."
Seon Nayeon always ended her week grateful for her family.
And back to Monday.
She headed to the clinic as usual for consultations.
As Director Han Yeowon said, in-clinic ads, blog, and referrals had notably increased pediatric cases.
This morning's mother-daughter pair was one such.
"She cries every night, won't sleep, and I have no idea why. Moms say you handle kids great... The blog's night crying post matched her symptoms, so I brought her."
The girl who cried nightly looked perfectly fine outwardly.
Her mother was exhausted, fatigue and depression etched deep into her face.