After taking a year off....

[Mental Gymnast]

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Hello fellow SDN'ers,

Im a fourth year who will most probably be going into rad onc. I took this year off to do rad onc research, though, and have realized that I have already forgotten 99.9999% of everything I learned in med school so far (and I've only been out for a month). When I jump back into clinicals again next summer, I know that Im expected to "bring my A game" on rad onc electives and really shine. I'm kind of worried as to how to do this though after being so rusty for a year. I was wondering if it would be best for me to do outpatient medicine for a month first to refresh my H&P skills, or if I should just take two weeks off and do an intense review (similar to studying for Step 2) that is heavy in oncology? From those of you that have just completed your rad onc audition rotations over the summer, what did you find was the most helpful preparation for your electives? Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Mental Gymnast]

anyone?

 

[yeasterbunny]

Hello fellow SDN'ers,

Im a fourth year who will most probably be going into rad onc. I took this year off to do rad onc research, though, and have realized that I have already forgotten 99.9999% of everything I learned in med school so far (and I've only been out for a month). When I jump back into clinicals again next summer, I know that Im expected to "bring my A game" on rad onc electives and really shine. I'm kind of worried as to how to do this though after being so rusty for a year. I was wondering if it would be best for me to do outpatient medicine for a month first to refresh my H&P skills, or if I should just take two weeks off and do an intense review (similar to studying for Step 2) that is heavy in oncology? From those of you that have just completed your rad onc audition rotations over the summer, what did you find was the most helpful preparation for your electives? Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I personally would be more embarassed by poor history and physical skills than lack of in-depth knowledge of oncology. If timing allows I think it would be reasonable to do another rotation first if you're worried, and you can always do some of the studying you mentioned in your free time.

 

[Wardens]

I just returned from a year off and am applying to ENT. Here's my advice: You have an entire year to study oncology stuff. Grab a secrets book or whatever is recommended for rad. onc, and read it before you go to bed, use the eliptical at the gym, etc. There's great evidence that consistency in studying beats cramming. If you really love rad. onc, then putting in some time this year will be easy. Take one month when you get back to ease yourself in. H&P stuff comes back quickly. You'll be just fine for your rad. onc. rotation the next month.

 

[RadOncRudy]

I would tend to agree more with yeasterbunny on this one. The thing you need to be really good at during your rad onc rotations is doing a stellar H&P. While you will be expected to pick up a lot during your rotation, you won't be expected to be an oncology expert when you come in... I'm not really sure the intensive study would be all that helpful. If you have 2 weeks to spare I'd take the time and just get some time in a clinic and do some H&P's. While those skills do come back, you don't want your first day in rad onc to be the first H&P you've done in a year. If you can, try to get back in to seeing patients a few months before you return to school. I set it up to be in a rad onc clinic 1-2x per week the last few months of my research year and it made a big difference...but I still felt rusty. That's just my two cents, if you have questions feel free to PM me. Good luck!

 

[Mental Gymnast]

Thanks so much guys! that was very helpful!