2 Week Rotations?

[anxiousnadd]

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Hey all,

I am a rising 4th year medical student and am considering doing a couple of 2 week rotations versus 4 week at a couple EM programs. Since we don't work everyday in the ER, I'm wondering if spending only 2 weeks at a program would give me (and them) adequate exposure so that we can get to know each other and give me a chance to "shine". The reason I am considering the 2 week rotation is so that I can squeeze in a couple more programs that I am interested in checking out.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Evil Eye]

I only did one 2 week elective in EM during my 4th year, and no 4 week electives. I was able to get a great SLOR and secured all the interviews I wanted...if you work hard, you will shine. Just make sure you can work with one attending the entire time (i.e. do all his/her shifts with them), so that they get to know you well. It helps if they have some sort of administrative position/research duties so that a letter from them goes a long way. Good luck!

 

[EMbound08]

I think I'd advise against this. (I am a 4th year who just finished applying and I did three 4 week electives... one at my home institution and 2 away.) Most good programs have an actual curriculum that they've set out for their 4 week rotations... so it's for your benefit that you stay for a whole 4 weeks. Plus one big goal of doing these rotations is to get a strong letter and trying to make an impact in 2 weeks just puts more pressure on you. I also don't know how staying for only 2 weeks would be perceived. My gut says don't do it, especially if you're applying to the more competitive programs. Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[SoCuteMD]

I think I'd advise against this. (I am a 4th year who just finished applying and I did three 4 week electives... one at my home institution and 2 away.) Most good programs have an actual curriculum that they've set out for their 4 week rotations... so it's for your benefit that you stay for a whole 4 weeks. Plus one big goal of doing these rotations is to get a strong letter and trying to make an impact in 2 weeks just puts more pressure on you. I also don't know how staying for only 2 weeks would be perceived. My gut says don't do it, especially if you're applying to the more competitive programs. Anyone else have thoughts?

I agree with you entirely. I did 3 months total at 3 different places. While I wish the last month had been two weeks (I didn't like the rotation) I am very glad that the first two months were full months. Not only did I get to know my assigned mentor at each place well, but I got to know residents and other attendings. I became social with the residents - they would invite me out and I got to see them outside of the ED - which helped sway my opinion of one program significantly (in a positive direction). There are a few different reasons for doing aways:
1) To learn more emergency medicine
2) To get a letter from someone NOT at your home institution (which many consider to be less biased)
3) To check that residency program out as a potential fit for you

I would also think that if you were only at a place for two weeks, you'd show less academic/clinical "growth" in that time period and that your preceptor might have a hard time commenting on your study habits (one of the last questions on the SLOR has to do with your ability to learn as a resident, the one just before it asks how much ass-kicking you'll need to learn as a resident).

It's hard to get a sense of a place in two weeks, and perhaps more importantly it's hard to even adjust to a new environment and new system in two weeks. By the end of my month at each place I knew my medicine admit resident, the ob/gyn consult resident, and the trauma team. I was just developing a rapport with them in the first two weeks. It can be tough to learn a new system (radiology, orders, how follow-up works) so I think it's best to give yourself at least a week to 10 days to get up to speed.

 

[NeuroSync]

I agree with you entirely. I did 3 months total at 3 different places. While I wish the last month had been two weeks (I didn't like the rotation) I am very glad that the first two months were full months. Not only did I get to know my assigned mentor at each place well, but I got to know residents and other attendings. I became social with the residents - they would invite me out and I got to see them outside of the ED - which helped sway my opinion of one program significantly (in a positive direction). There are a few different reasons for doing aways:
1) To learn more emergency medicine
2) To get a letter from someone NOT at your home institution (which many consider to be less biased)
3) To check that residency program out as a potential fit for you

I would also think that if you were only at a place for two weeks, you'd show less academic/clinical "growth" in that time period and that your preceptor might have a hard time commenting on your study habits (one of the last questions on the SLOR has to do with your ability to learn as a resident, the one just before it asks how much ass-kicking you'll need to learn as a resident).

It's hard to get a sense of a place in two weeks, and perhaps more importantly it's hard to even adjust to a new environment and new system in two weeks. By the end of my month at each place I knew my medicine admit resident, the ob/gyn consult resident, and the trauma team. I was just developing a rapport with them in the first two weeks. It can be tough to learn a new system (radiology, orders, how follow-up works) so I think it's best to give yourself at least a week to 10 days to get up to speed.

I agree, with one caveat: a two-week US rotation at a place you want to check out (if they have one), in addition to your other two or three 4-week rotations, would be a great thing. I wish I had done that in retrospect...