2-week or 4-week elective? Which is better?

[treasurefull2]

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Hi there,

I'm starting to schedule my electives in anesthesia and I was wondering if I should do 2 or 4 weeks at the places of interest.

4 weeks of anesthesia seems a bit long. For me, and maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like the main point is to meet the program director, attendings, and residents, and learn at the same time.

And, I get to visit more places too...

 

[DrDre']

two weeks u r just starting to know where stuff is, how things work. i wouldnt do a 2 wk away

Hi there,

I'm starting to schedule my electives in anesthesia and I was wondering if I should do 2 or 4 weeks at the places of interest.

4 weeks of anesthesia seems a bit long. For me, and maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like the main point is to meet the program director, attendings, and residents, and learn at the same time.

And, I get to visit more places too...

 

[fascinoma]

I agree with Dre.

However, if you have never done an anesthesia rotation it might not be a bad idea to do an introductory 2 week at your home institution just to get your feet wet before going out to others. I did that and I'm very thankful I did. I followed that 2 week up with a month long at my now #1 program choice and did great there. They were impressed and the letter they wrote me was talked about at almost all my interviews.

Note: the intro 2 week at my home institution was horrible. I didn't know what I was doing and I didn't leave a good impression. However, it set me up quite well for my aways in gas. Just something to consider if you haven't had any anesthesia training prior to your 4th year.

 

[neuroride]

Go with the 4 week. I did a 2 wk rotation and it was difficult to get the feel of things before I left( this was an away rotation).

Also, for away rotations it was difficult to get my rotations mapped out for the two 4 week away rotations that I had, let alone for the 2 week one.