4th year predicament

[TawMus]

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Hi guys, DO student here thinking about going into Allo Gas. Did a search thru the forums while looking for some tips on setting up 4th year for Anesthesia and I see that there are two different schools of thought on whether or not to do a SICU rotation during 4th year.

I am currently in a predicament where my mentor told me that doing a SICU rotation @ an ICU ran by anesthesiologists will be beneficial to me before I do an away audition at another program. But I feel that may take an elective away from me which I could use to audition at another program. Do any of the residents/attendings have any input how beneficial doing an SICU rotation prior to away will really be?

Also, I was wondering how if there are any programs you would be willing to recommend auditioning at to make me more competitive for most other programs by securing a strong LOR. I would ideally like to end up w/ a residency in California or Texas but would be willing to move for a strong program. At the moment I'm thinking about rotating at Loma Linda (have a good relationship w/ some of the residents from there), UTSW (where I grew up), and Beth Israel Boston (mentor's home hospital).

I have one elective slot left that I can use to do a SICU rotation or another away audition. Any comments would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the SICU too much unless there is an anesthesiologist staffing it that you feel you can get an outstanding LOR from.

 

[GasMan2012]

Personally I loved my sicu away elective (actually did a sub-I in it). Felt like critical care is way different than anywhere you could go - vents, sepsis, pressors, abgs ect. It was quite apparent to everyone which of the surgical interns had worked in ICUs before as a student- there was just a comfort level... There's tons of opportunities for procedures (alines, central, ivs, dobbhoffs, occasional tube). Also I thnk it's one of the easier rotations to get an LOR from as it's alot easier to show initiative, responsibility with your patients/attending. Highly reccomend it. Def not a necessity, you'll eventually learn what you'll need to in residency.

Ps- Think there was a thread about micu vs sicu 4th yr electives here last year you might want to search...

 

[BobBarker]

Just do UTSW. Dr Griffin does a good job with the medical students. Myself and 2 of my classmates rotated there as 4th years and all had a great time.

 

[vector2]

I would do a SICU rotation even if you think you might not get a great LOR out of it. I learned more and got to do more procedures on my away sub-i than any other rotation in med school, plus I got to meet some of the anesthesia residents who were on that service.

 

[TawMus]

Just do UTSW. Dr Griffin does a good job with the medical students. Myself and 2 of my classmates rotated there as 4th years and all had a great time.

I'm definitely going to do a rotation at UTSW, I've heard that they have an amazing program over there.

Thanks for the input guys!