Any advice?

[loveumms]

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So ... just started third year and I am already feeling overly worked, tired and just plain old not happy.

I just finished my first week of surgery rotation and don't know how I'm going to get through the next three months. I get up around 4 am and get home usually after 5-6 pm. I know it’s only the first week but I feel incompetent and useless plus totally EXHAUSTED. I kinda just follow around my residents, ask questions (which there is seldom any time to do since they are all so busy) and occasionally go to the OR to stand there and stare into space since I’m usually not scrubbing and can’t see anything. And on top of that … by the time I get home I’m exhausted and can’t get myself to study anything.

I was really excited to start and find surgery fascinating but, I don’t know how to get through it feeling like this. Of course, I don’t want to be a surgeon which may be part of the problem but I came into the rotation with the mindset that I will never get to see this kind of stuff again and I want to learn/see as much as possible (since most of my patients will undergo some sort of surgery in their lifetime).

Any recommendations on how to get through this?

Also, my feet and back are killing me from all the standing and constant moving. Anyone have any suggestions on shoes that might help? I have tried two different kinds of inserts from Dr. Scholls with no relief.

Thanks 

 

[Law2Doc]

Also, my feet and back are killing me from all the standing and constant moving. Anyone have any suggestions on shoes that might help? I have tried two different kinds of inserts from Dr. Scholls with no relief.

Thanks 

I can't help with your big issue, but have heard good things about Rockports from my surgeon friends.

 

[jennie 21]

Get yourself some Dansko clogs. They're ugly but the best possible thing for standing in all day. As far as the rest, I really don't know what to tell you not having done Surgery yet myself, other than to remember that it's only three months and no matter how horrible it is, it WILL pass and you will get through it, just like you got through Boards and everything else. I sympathize though...

 

[jbod34]

Sorry to hear you are already burnt out but no offinse..... I'm so thankful that I'm not the only one!!! I feel sooooo incompetent and I wonder how in the world I'll ever be a doctor. As for your shoes if you go to lacrossefootwear.com and click on outdoor shoes, they have some great rubber-like clogs that I wear. They are almost more comfortable than my tennis shoes AND you can just wipe them off cause they are waterproof. Also they come in just about any color and are really cute. Good luck and hang in there we'll make it someday. The light at the end of the tunnel is NOT the train!!!

 

[TomasMay]

Med school is very difficult. When I was a third year I just used tennis shoes and replaced the soles with some orthotics. If you go out of the country, orthotics (like any other service including medicine!) is dirt cheap. I paid 40 Euros for my custom fit orthotics while vacationing in spain.

*edited by DrMom: spam*

 

[Anka]

Ibuprofen works great for back pain (you can take a smaller amount with breakfast before your back hurts, or wait until you are in pain and take a more). Danskos have already been mentioned -- they're great for standing in, not so much for your feet, but for your back. If you're running around, tennis shoes are better (as the Danskos are hard and can traumatize your feet if you're running/walking fast). TEDs are good if you're standing all day, too.

Anka

 

[zack_morris]

surgery is without a doubt the most physically demanding rotation of 3rd year. the fact that you are starting with it makes it even more difficult since your clinical knowledge base is limited at this point. just remember that it will get easier once you adjust to the hours, and take comfort in the fact that you are completing the hardest 12 weeks first.

also, a lot of surgery residents (and many surgeons) at my school are terrible at teaching and at delegating responsibilities to students. be assertive and ask if you can help them out, ask if you can scrub in, and most importantly, show that you are interested in the surgery itself. read a little about the medical issues of the case, and don't worry too much about the actual surgery technique. if you ask questions, be sure to know a little bit about what you are asking because you will most likely be asked follow-up questions (this goes for all rotations, but especially surgery). lastly, i know you are tired all the time, but please find some time to study a little bit each night. i felt that the surgery shelf was the most difficult- it may be even harder for you because its your first time taking one of these exams. there is so much information, so do not try to leave studying until the last month. remember, most of these shelf exams deal with medicine issues- surgery is no different. don't waste time with surgical techniques- learn how to manage a surgical patient in the pre-op and post-op time periods. i just finished my surgery rotation about a month ago, so if you have any questions or specific problems during your rotation, feel free to pm me and i'll be happy to help you out.

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

please dont ask
if i hear another complaint about: medical students getting chop shopped by the residents for being in the way or about how they "are so dang curious & in the way while i am trying to save a life"- by physicians i will cry

what will i do when i am 3rd yr!
i like that looking into space bit
OP why dont u get some nike's? if your feeling jazzy go for air force ones but nike airs always keep me comfy in standing and walking.

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

ps: i dnt know about the crazy $100 clogs but i saw a bunch in the residents forum
😱 maybe you should browse their nook
be warned - some of the shoe links are downright disturbing...like the crock shoes