Hi,

I'm going to do an IM sub-i at university of colorado, but am not familiar with the hospitals. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which hospital offers the best overall experience? Suggestions about areas to look for temporary housing? Thanks! =)

If you have a choice of hospitals, I would recommend University/Anschutz Inpatient or VA. Stay away from Denver Health for several reasons: 1) if you don't speak Spanish, you will be very limited in your ability to do anything; 2) your call is Q4, interns' call is Q6, residents are on their own schedule with separate swing shift and night float residents. As as sub-I, you want to spend a lot of time with a few people who can get to know you well and write good evals. Working with 10 different people, including taking call with 3 different interns on various occasions, can be detrimental; 3) the patients tend to be low-functioning which is detrimental to your ability as a star sub-intern to do thorough stellar H&Ps. On the upside, the patients are predominantly the usual county hospital fare (drug abuse, EtOH, TB, HIV) which usually makes them very straightforward one-problem deals. The reason for the long rant is that DH tends to market itself as the awesomest place with the coolest most interesting patients. *cough*

BTW, so I don't sound entirely negative. DH is a fine experience for interns and residents with decent working conditions, good nurses, and nice teaching.

[QUOTE=Mumpu;4068440]If you have a choice of hospitals, I would recommend University/Anschutz Inpatient or VA. Stay away from Denver Health for several reasons


I would have to agree w/ the above w/ one exception: my exp. w/ DG was EXCEPTIONAL (w/ the caveat being that it was exceptional for a county hosp.)- however, as a sub-i I would try to work towards getting some time towards either the "old" university inpt. hosp. or the "new" inpt. hospital. Going in the one thing you will have to realize is that since they haven't moved everything over yet, some services will be at one location (ie subspec. services) others haven't made the move yet. If you are looking at UColo, remember that everything should be under one roof at the "new" inpt. site shortly.

I disagree with the above two posters. Denver Health would be a great place to do a sub-I- lots of bread and butter medicine, and lots of autonomy. And you don't have to know how to speak spanish. That's what the translator phones are for. Like Mumpu mentioned, you will be working with alot of people there, though.

thanks for your input!