Hahah originally I thought Twas just something you did, then I realized it happened why I typed too. I think Twas my phone.
And my question: was there an adjustment period where you became accustomed to and comfortable talking to patients professionally, doing the h&p and everything associated w being a doctor? How did you adjust to that or was it simply a matter of repetition.
Also, are there any simple things you did while on rotations to achieve high clinical grades? In other words any high yield tips/tricks to leave a good impression with your patients and preceptors? Other than obvious stuff that has been seen in SDN, any unique things you picked up along the way that made things easier/ more pleasant for you, patients, and the medical staff?
Thanks for the Q $ A!
There is definitely an adjustment period. We complained a lot about it at the time, but our school had a lot of clinical education built into our first two years. At the time, we complained that we should be learning stuff for step 1, but I am actually pretty glad we did it now. We had a ton of OSCEs and SIMs first and second year and we were required to have memorized the history form by the end of 1st semester. Memorizing that and then having done it multiple times before rotations actually made it easier to focus on the patient during 3rd year instead of remembering the questions. Also, as you learn more about disease processes and pathology you kind've innately start to tailor your H&P to the patient's problem. It happened pretty organically for me, although I made a point to pay attention to the questions my preceptor/resident would ask when they were asking the patient questions after me to see if there were things I may have missed and make sure to ask those questions next time (or if when I was presenting a patient, if there were questions the resident asked me about the patient that I may not know...if this happens, just make note of it and don't make the same mistake next time).
In terms of tips for rotations I would say just be a pleasant person. You will be able to take the lead of your preceptor...if they aren't a particularly talkative person, don't try and make small talk all the time because they could perceive it as annoying. That's not to say be a mute, but I have seen those medical students that feel like they need to fill every moment of silence and even I've been annoyed by it (and I'm pretty talkative).
-BE NICE TO THE NURSES. Get to know them, treat them like normal human beings. I can't tell you how many times I've had nurses tell me "you are one of the few medical students we like" haha. I'm not sure what the other med students are doing to piss off the nurses so much...but I think if you don't act superior or awkward you will be ok. I also tried to help out during down time. I would make sure if they showed me where something was once, I would be able to find it again when asked by the nurses or by my preceptor.
-Don't ask dumb questions....there are dumb questions. Things you can easily look up probably aren't questions that should be asked all the time. I'm not saying I never did it, because almost anything can be looked up now a days but I also didn't want to look like I was always on my phone. Just don't do it excessively. Also, they like to see that you are reading/learning about things that you are seeing on rotations. Sometimes I would have questions from readings or say, "I was reading about this last night and I was wondering why you would do this instead of this in this situation". It shows you are trying to learn. Also, don't try and ask questions when they are running around trying to do something. I know that sounds like common sense, but it seems like it might not be as common sense as you would think. Try and stay as out of the way as much as possible without seeming aloof.
-Be on time. Always. I was actually always kinda anxious about it and ended up being early most days, but that's better than being late.
-Don't hover when your preceptor is writing notes. I've noticed it tends to creep people out. Have a seat and look something up/help out the nurses, etc.
-There are certain things that different docs/programs like. Try and pick up on it and be proactive. I know that's vague but you will figure it out within the first few days of the rotation.
-You will have more time than your preceptor/resident to talk to patients. Get to know them. Listen to them. A lot of times they just want someone to talk to. I have had multiple patients after going in and doing my H&P tell my preceptor "She is going to be such a wonderful doctor" or "I hope she will come back and work here someday". Our evaluations from our school are very patient oriented so I have tended to do really well since I guess it has been really apparent how much I care. Multiple preceptors commented on how much the patients/nurses/staff have enjoyed having me, and I really just try and be nice to everyone.
-Don't try and be a know it all or question what your preceptor is doing. If you are confused as to why they are doing something, sometimes I will ask, "In school they taught us ____, it seems like almost everything is different in real life. When would you do ____ over ____"? I have had a hard time balancing the "not being a know it all option" with showing how much I know, and my evaluations tend to skew more towards the "she is great with people, needs to read more" comments when in fact unless they asked me a specific question, I may know the answer, I just don't speak up. I would try and be somewhere in the middle, but it is definitely a fine line.
-Don't be messy. Sometimes you can set up a little area to study in the nurses station, etc. But don't get up and leave books open/all over the place. It drives the nurses crazy.
-When they tell you to go home, go home. Don't hang around when there is nothing to do and watch the preceptor write notes. Same thing for if they tell you to go get lunch, etc. Sometimes they just want time away from you.
I'm sure there are more but that's a pretty good list right now.
. I had a few years of research in undergrad and during my gap year that was on my application to med schools. I wasn't asked about it at any of my interviews. That obviously doesn't mean it wasn't a factor in their decision to invite me for an interview, but it didn't seem like it was a huge asset to my application (I had 2
