Can anyone attend grand rounds?

[sundays24]

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I was recently hired as a research tech at a medical school and they sent out an institution-wide newsletter about goings-on around the med school, including the times/locations for grand rounds for different departments. Who usually attends these grand rounds? Is it formal/informal? I've been to seminars taught by visiting scientists/lecturers with my lab mates but I've never been to grand rounds; are they similar? Also, this is a really pre-meddy thing to ask, but is it weird if I try to network/find shadowing opportunities there?

 

[Catalystik]

I was recently hired as a research tech at a medical school and they sent out an institution-wide newsletter about goings-on around the med school, including the times/locations for grand rounds for different departments. Who usually attends these grand rounds? Is it formal/informal? I've been to seminars taught by visiting scientists/lecturers with my lab mates but I've never been to grand rounds; are they similar?

As long as your dress and demeanor match those of the other audience members, and you can blend into the crowd, I expect you'd have no trouble attending a Grand Rounds session.

Also, this is a really pre-meddy thing to ask, but is it weird if I try to network/find shadowing opportunities there?

Yes.

 

[eteshoe]

As @Catalystik said as long as you don't stick out, no one cares. Just realize most grand rounds tend to be pretty early in the morning (at my institution they tend to start around 7 am) - so be mindful of getting there on time.

 

[eagles22]

I was recently hired as a research tech at a medical school and they sent out an institution-wide newsletter about goings-on around the med school, including the times/locations for grand rounds for different departments. Who usually attends these grand rounds? Is it formal/informal? I've been to seminars taught by visiting scientists/lecturers with my lab mates but I've never been to grand rounds; are they similar? Also, this is a really pre-meddy thing to ask, but is it weird if I try to network/find shadowing opportunities there?

You may be noticed at a sub-specialty grand rounds just because they tend to be smaller. Go to internal medicine grand rounds, you'll probably be fine. Go to nephrology grand rounds and you may stick out. Either way, no one is going to really care, but keep in mind that these lectures are targeted towards physicians and sub specialists and may be far beyond your level of education (meaning they can be super boring). Someone may ask who you are and be prepared to be honest.

Networking/looking for shadowing at an event not meant for that may not be a good idea. In my experience, most people actually practicing medicine get there just as it starts and leave fairly quickly after the event is over. They have to get to clinic/round/the OR/etc.

 

[longhaul3]

You shouldn't have a problem if you get there just before it starts, sit in the back, and stay quiet. Many grand rounds sessions will include M&M sessions, which will often put attendings in a bad (or at least contemplative, not-to-be-bothered) mood, so skip the networking.

If you want to get more involved and get noticed, see if you can shadow someone in a specialty of interest and then mention to that doc that you have been to, or want to go to, grand rounds.

 

[Catalystik]

As @Catalystik said as long as you don't stick out, no one cares. Just realize most grand rounds tend to be pretty early in the morning (at my institution they tend to start around 7 am) - so be mindful of getting there on time.

If you're lucky, it will be scheduled at the noon hour and come with a free lunch.

 

[Wrigley_260]

Just to reiterate what other people have said, you should have no problem going to grand rounds for any specialty, you definitely won't be noticed (granted you're at a big institution and not attending a small department's meetings)--good way to gauge this is by looking at the meeting space grand rounds is booked in.

Also +1 and not trying to network at these; a lot of the doctors aren't in the best of moods because it's early and they would rather be preparing for clinic/procedures. Something I've found useful in the past is to email the physician you're interested in networking with before hand, so that they're expecting you at grand rounds (again, depends on the institution/physician).

I really recommend going though, I've learned a lot by attending just a few of them for some departments and they're always interesting (just make sure you don't go to one that has a topic you know nothing about, otherwise you'll be confused + tired + bored, which is never fun).

 

[LizzyM]

The seating at these affairs tends to be hierarchical with the eldest in the front and the youngest in the back. Know your place.