DMU................Self-proclaimed Super Geniuses

[Docgeorge]

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can you post a link for the innominate?

 

[Docgeorge]

So surgery boys, how many hours do you spend on your surgery rotation per week? (just curious)

Officially 80hrs
Unoffically >110

Interesting story, I had a kid from the local allo school who was on the rotation with me. He thought he was hot **** in surgery and got a little snippy with me on the first day. Lets just say it was fun 4 weeks for me...and an educational 4 for him.

 

[Krazykritter]

Cremaster,

One of the more experienced interventionalists at Iowa Heart is the father of a first year. Sounds like a good rotation.

 

[Astroglide User]

Frenchie - don't feel bad about getting your internet b/c of suspicious activity. It's people like you (AND ME) that keep all those awesome sites in business. I miss rubbing you: come to the D so I can show you the "D" in D-troit!

I have found that counting the number of hours you work per week is gayer than telling a girl she is too skinny. It's just not possible! People who don't want to do surgery generally get it pretty easy, and the residents are very nice and don't pressure you when suturing and/or doing anything else. If you want to do surgery, you will get pressed a great deal no matter what you are doing. Well, that has been my experience.

If you want to work the system: take thursday night call so you get friday through sunday off. I was lucky and discovered a great way to get a 3 day weekend and still do a **** load in one week.

Lastly, I recommend any of the big 4 trauma hospitals in detroit for a life-changing experience (I'm sure the DMC, HF main, Grace, St John Main are all very similar even though they claim to be different). Level 1 trauma is crazy, and you will feel like a true doctor after a few nights of being there. After seeing people come in with bullet holes and bones sticking out of their body, anything on the floor seems pretty simple and easy to manage.

 

[Chimpokoman]

Ok, I realize it's "Chimpokomon" and not "Chimpokoman," but i can't figure out how to change my username...
anyway, any of you read that "critical review of osteopathy" thread?
sounds like it's from DMU...

 

[cremaster2007]

I agree with Astro..........Grace is like its own little world of ER, Grey's Anatomy wrapped up in one show. Crazy **** goes on there all the time. 6 more weeks of FP.........yeeeeee haw 🙂

 

[Portier]

Yeah for six weeks left of FP....

Yeah for 10.25 months left of rotations!

B!tchin.....

 

[luckystar]

Best thing about this FP rotation: lots of time for wedding planning! And dealing with stupid reception halls...

I love it when the doc spends all of our free time reading Fox news to me and talking about the business of medicine...until we get interrupted by those damn patients. I even got him to load and play the entire Stephen Colbert White House Correspondant's speech...freakin genius with giant balls!

 

[cremaster2007]

Best thing about this FP rotation: lots of time for wedding planning! And dealing with stupid reception halls...

I love it when the doc spends all of our free time reading Fox news to me and talking about the business of medicine...until we get interrupted by those damn patients. I even got him to load and play the entire Stephen Colbert White House Correspondant's speech...freakin genius with giant balls!

My FP attending is great too. He lets me have a lot of freedom and he runs is own practice so he discusses business with me as well. I think if I didn't do neurosurgery I would go into fp just for the lifestyle and potential to run lots of clinics!

 

[cremaster2007]

Cremaster,

One of the more experienced interventionalists at Iowa Heart is the father of a first year. Sounds like a good rotation.

It got really high reviews on the evals, so I'm looking forward to it, even though me and the heart aren't very good friends. I'm with DocGeorge, I HATE HTN...........

 

[Krazykritter]

Just wondering if any of you have heard about what the admins are thinking of doing w/ third year for the 2010 class. Any thoughts?? I don't know that I really want to get much more specific about it until at least some of you have heard about the ideas, but would be happy to discuss on PM first.

Portier...My wife threw out my copy of the Innominate. If you wouldn't mind, can you email me a copy of your article?? I found it to be something I would like to hang on to, but it's hard to do that when your wife thinks she is helping out by cleaning up. Oh well, can't fault her too much.

 

[Old_Mil]

Just wondering if any of you have heard about what the admins are thinking of doing w/ third year for the 2010 class. Any thoughts?? I don't know that I really want to get much more specific about it until at least some of you have heard about the ideas, but would be happy to discuss on PM first.

From the sound of things, the class of 2010 will be restricted to staying in Iowa (with maybe Ohio and Michigan thrown into the mix) for their rotation sites. Also, it would appear as if there will be no new rotation sites opened up.

 

[Krazykritter]

Reading my post, it seems a little vague, but it is intended to kind of be that way...I don't really want to go throwing around rumors. However, if any of you have heard of the potential plans for 2010 clinical rotations I would be interested to discuss.

2009ers had a meeting w/ the Boz about clincal affairs recently so just curious as to if any of you have gotten word about it.

Edit** I was kind of leary about throwing that out there, but since Old Mil did...discuss please.

 

[DORocksMySocks]

Sorry to enter into your conversation, but I am an incoming student and I am looking for a darn good vet in the Des Moines area….I have a special needs cat. Thank god my parents pay for her, so I can shell out whatever it costs…..any of you know of a superb vet in the area? Thanks

And what is all this about restriction or rotation sites for my class….I wish I had known about this before….

 

[babyruth]

Sorry to enter into your conversation, but I am an incoming student and I am looking for a damn good vet in the Des Moines area….I have a special needs cat. Thank god my parents pay for her, so I can shell out whatever it costs…..any of you know of a superb vet in the area? Thanks

And what is all this about restriction or rotation sites for my class….I wish I had known about this before….

I took my dog to Bryan Animal hosp right by the school and it was okay, expensive for what I am used to...


Creamaster, are you taking USMLE-2 and if so, how are you preparing for that one? What are the advantages of taking it instead of just the comlex-2?

 

[homeboy]

From the sound of things, the class of 2010 will be restricted to staying in Iowa (with maybe Ohio and Michigan thrown into the mix) for their rotation sites. Also, it would appear as if there will be no new rotation sites opened up.

Actually, they've already instituted the policy for our class seeking 3rd yr rotations, which is ******ed because we're in the middle of rotations applications. If it's not an "established" site (not in the database) than you can't apply. It's complete bull**it; just because a site is in the database doesn't mean anyone's gone there in the past 5 years. Many people in my class have been denied several times for rotations they could do with physicians they know and whom they could stay with for a few weeks, while some podunk rotation in middle-of-nowhere Iowa is the only other existing site in the database and there's no housing. The idea of all-in-Iowa rotations might sound good on paper, but it will never work. What about sites we just opened up this year...do we just say 2 yrs from now, "Sorry, we changed our minds"? Most everyone in my class is pissed off.

 

[It'sElectric]

Actually, they've already instituted the policy for our class seeking 3rd yr rotations, which is ******ed because we're in the middle of rotations applications. If it's not an "established" site (not in the database) than you can't apply. It's complete bull**it; just because a site is in the database doesn't mean anyone's gone there in the past 5 years. Many people in my class have been denied several times for rotations they could do with physicians they know and whom they could stay with for a few weeks, while some podunk rotation in middle-of-nowhere Iowa is the only other existing site in the database and there's no housing. The idea of all-in-Iowa rotations might sound good on paper, but it will never work. What about sites we just opened up this year...do we just say 2 yrs from now, "Sorry, we changed our minds"? Most everyone in my class is pissed off.

Can someone explain all of this. I will be a first year this Fall, and during interviews we were given a completely different impression in regards to rotations. So we can't do a rotation with just anyone now? It sounds as though this could end up severely hurting me. It's too late now to have second guesses, but what the hell am I going to do?

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Docgeorge]

can someone clearly elucidate whats happening with the clinical affairs? Did we finally get Iowa Methodist on board as a 3rd year clinical site?

Ray can you e-mail me the Innomiate article as well?

Thanks

 

[Krazykritter]

ItsElectric,

First off, you have NEVER been able to do a rotation w/ just anyone. 3rd year has always had to be in one of the core hosipitals/clinics. 4th year rotations are different where you can set up your electives where you want to go, but half of them must be under the supervision of a DO. In 4th year you are only required to do 8 weeks of required clerkships, but after that is when you can set up your electives.

Nothing for sure is happening right now. As many other med schools do, DMU sounds like they are talking about trying to keep their students in state for 3rd year w/ the possibility of Ohio & Michigan still. They did not say anything about Methodist, but that would be great. However, I would think that they will have to get a lot more sites in Iowa before they could even consider implementing these types of changes.

Like I said, I do not want to be spreading any rumors, but I was just curious to see what 2nd & 3rd years were thinking about this.

 

[Portier]

Inominate

Here is the text:

Hi! To all of you who don’t know me I’m Ray, a member of the 3rd year class. For DO 2007, it’s the end of second block. I have survived my core electives (OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Family Psychiatry, Family Medicine), and am ¾ done with core hospital (Urology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine). I thought that now I could shed some light on the topic of Rotation Logs, Software, and PDA maintenance. So, without further ado:

1) Managing Rotation Logs: For each patient you see, you should create an entry in your PDA. This practice is more commonly known as “doing a log.” You’ll get a class prior to starting rotations that explains all the details of how to “do” a log. Do these everyday. If you let days and weeks go by without doing a log, you’ll have to spend a bunch of time getting them caught up. It’s easy to find time during the day to log each patient you see.

I personally have two methods that work for me: 1) Get the schedule for the day from the unit/clinic administration team, then enter all the scheduled patients either first thing, or last thing before going home. 2) Log each patient you see as you see them. I can complete a log entry in 30 seconds on average…sometimes as little as 15 if it’s a common diagnosis (GI bleed, COPD, OB check, etc.). And you might not believe it, but the 30 seconds I take to do a log while the Dr and Patient exchange hellos does not detract from the educational experience at all.

2) Synchronizing (syncing) your Handheld Computer: Syncing is a requirement to move data between your personal computer or a networked server and your handheld. There are a few things that experience taught me about this aspect of 3rd year.

a) Limit programs: Limit the number and types of programs you sync on a daily basis. If you’re syncing 15 programs at one sitting it’ll take longer. If you’re syncing at 6PM when the internet is the busiest it’ll take the longest.

b) Don’t sync every program everyday: Some servers are slow no matter when you’re syncing. The school’s Outlook server is especially slow. I sync with it maybe once or twice a month. The Epocrates server is also really slow. I sync with it the first time, then never again. Granted, I don’t get the cool medical updates everyday, but I think it’s a fair tradeoff…I save about an hour of frustration everyday.

c) M Business Client: LUCKILY, M Business Client is an exception to the slow server rule. The school has that server running like a scalded dog! I sync my handheld everyday on M Business Client alone. I consider this the bare minimum synchronization.

3) Turning off background programs: The Windows software for Pocket PC’s (handhelds) is different than the software that runs your laptop. The Pocket PC software never actually turns off. If it does, then you have to reinstall all your software or (If you’re smart) use a backup to restore to. Another major difference is the status of programs when you close them by tapping on “OK.” OK does not close a program, bur rather reduces it. Conceptually, think about the OK button as reducing the program to the toolbar in regular Windows software. That said, if you get too many programs running at one time, your Pocket PC will be slower than the Internal Medicine department in deciding a class average on the post rotation exam of 63.75 with a passing score of 65% is a bad math. There are a couple of ways to remedy this:

a) Reset: If you use the reset button, all the previously running programs will shut down and the system will revert to a non-sluggish state.

b) System Menu: If you’re comfortable manipulating the system menu, here’s how you can turn off programs you’re not using.
1) Tap Start
2) Tap Settings
3) Tap the System Tab
4) Tap the Memory Icon
5) Tap Running Programs Tab
6) Highlight the programs you want to stop.
7) Tap “Stop.”
8) You can also tap “Stop All” if you’re bold. I’m usually bold.

4) Backup your handheld: The importance of this can’t be stressed enough. However, it doesn’t matter how much it gets stressed. The first time your handheld has a memory dump (most will at some point), you’ll think “Now when did I back up last?” If you didn’t backup an image of your system with all its parts in place, you’ll immediately regret it. In this moment you’ll also be indoctrinated into the club of “I didn’t back up my handheld, and I now regret it.”

Unfortunately there are a few limitations to backups. Epocrates, for example, requires a reinstallation from the program on your desktop/laptop each and every time you restore it from backup. A simple ghosting (putting the “image” you backed up) back onto your handheld will not suffice. M Business Client is similar in this regard, but you only need to sync it once to update it. Uptodate is robust and will work immediately after a restore.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Backup your handheld to a SD or CF chip or your laptop/desktop. That is, save the backup file somewhere else besides the internal memory. If you backup to internal memory, when the internal memory is dumped, you have NO backup. Backing up to internal memory is like keeping an extra set of keys to your car in the glove box.

4) Accessory chips: These are the Hamburger Helper of Pocket PC’s. If you want to expand the uses of your Pocket PC, you’ll need more memory. There are two types of memory chips which are the industry standard: Compact Flash, and SD cards. You probably already know about these. Since the technology is in its adolescence, expect the prices to come down significantly in the coming year. It is worth noting that the original SD card reader DO 2007 was issued with their laptops was not compatible above 512MB. I ended up purchasing an ImageMate 12 in 1 card reader. This allowed me to install Uptodate, and load MP3’s onto cards.

NOTE: I experimented with installing smaller programs (see list in next section) onto the SD/CF card versus the internal memory and found no difference in system performance. That is, installing a program onto the SD card did not speed up performance. Actually, it was slower since it had to scan the chip. The only way to increase system performance is to change the setting in the settings menu.


5) Individual programs: Like an excited 10 year old at Christmas with his dad’s Visa, I splurged at the beginning of 3rd year. I spent way too much money trying out all the software I could imagine would possibly help me on clinical rotations. Below are my opinions on the software, and how helpful I thought each one was. Be aware that these are merely my opinions, and your personal needs might vary. The order they are listed is from increased usefulness to decreased usefulness. One more thing before we start. Buy a Maxwell’s Rapid Reference and keep it in your pocket on every rotation. It’s well worth the price, and its cargo space. It tells you how to do just about everything (examinations, notes, ACLS), and has almost every reference range on labs you will encounter.

a) Uptodate: This is THE GOLD STANDARD of clinical software. It is a database of exceptionally well referenced articles written from the most up to date clinical literature available. It reflects changes in the science of medicine and is the best in evidence based medicine. I wish I’d known about it during 1st and 2nd year…it might have saved me lots of work in trying to find synopses on all medical topics. I also use this exclusively to find out the mechanism of action for drugs, since I haven’t found this information available in any other software.

You can install the ENTIRE Uptodate database on your desktop/laptop and your Handheld. The handheld requires a 1GB CF or SD chip to install to, so besides the subscription fee, there is a hardware fee. It’s a small price to pay, though. Having all of Uptodate in my hands while running around doing Primary Care was invaluable. I was able to find diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, and recommended treatments in an instant. I was also able to find statistics like, “What’s the likelihood that a first degree family member of a WPW patient will have WPW?” or “What does Red Yam do for cholesterol?” while the clinician I was working for was impressed…only with the technology, I’m sure. I wasn’t able to determine what a “Gallbladder Flush” was, but this is EVIDENCE based medicine, and that looks impossible (a 3.2cm stone passing through a 8mm common bile duct).

b) Epocrates: This software is a distant second to Uptodate, but has some functionality that Uptodate does not offer. The Laboratory section gives you some focused data (reference range, interpretation, cost, etc.). The Pharmacy section gives a lot of information on dosing and indications, but does NOT give mechanism of action. The diagnosis section is also a very focused tool for clinical information, but it lacks references to literature, and is a distant second to the detail available from Uptodate. Epocrates also has some pretty cool mathematical software. It’ll calculate the many of the common formulas for you (IBW, Na Deficit, Cockroft-Gault, etc.).

b) Mobile PDR: This software is FREE! It’s a scaled down PDR, and as you would expect is useful for doses, indications, adverse reactions, and interactions. Since it’s free it’s a no-brainer to buy it but it does NOT list mechanism of action.

 

[Portier]

c) Pocket Dorland’s: This is great software. It is very focused and useful to just help you remember that one word that the attending just used that’s slipping your mind. What IS the difference between strabismus and amblyopia again? In a few taps of your stylus, you’ll be back in shape. This is worth the money.

d) Sanford’s Guide to Anti-microbial Therapy: This program represents the inflection point of the discussion of software (it’s downhill from here). The index will tell you what drug to use to kill most every bug you’ll get data on from the lab. However, there’s an argument to be made for having a paper copy of this in your white coat. The antimicrobial spectrum table is duplicated poorly in this software, but you can find the sensitivity of any bacteria to any drug…just not all at once.

e) Pocket Harrison’s: This software is only rarely any more useful than Uptodate or Epocrates. In very few cases does this software have a better synopsis on a topic. I’d skip it if you have either Epocrates or Uptodate.

f) Livingsoft Latin-English Dictionary: I bought this software because, like Dr Dyche taught during Anatomy, I happen to learn best by breaking the words into their Greek/Latin components. I’ve used this a fair amount to retain important word roots. For example Scaph: skiff or skiff like. The Scaphoid carpal bone resemble a shallow boat, I guess. Or a Scaphoid Abdomen that has a sunken in center. I like this sort of thing, but not everyone does, that’s why I placed it so low in the ranking.

g) Emedicine Dermatology: My plan in buying this software was to have a quick reference to pictures when I needed them. I saw myself low crawling under a hail of fire with my handheld to identify a weird skin disease the attending missed because I had dermatology pictures on my pocket PC. I’ve used it twice…no three times. Most office’s have a full sized Fitzpatrick’s, so this software is redundant. It’s also hard to compare the small pictures to full sized disease. I should uninstall it.

h) Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery: I don’t know who threw this together, but it’s random, the pictures are only moderately useful, and the text is as thin as Ray Nagin’s hopes for re-election in New Orleans.

i) First Aid for the Medical Clerkship: This was truly a poor purchase. It is redundant behind all the other software I purchased. It also isn’t well organized.



6) Non-Professional Use: Just because the workday has ended doesn’t mean your use of your trusty pocket computer is over. There is one non-professional use that can’t be overlooked: MP3 player. By the simple swapping of chips, it goes from white coat to polyester leisure suit. As I said above, SD and CF chips are falling in price pretty quickly, so expect more memory for your dollar as time goes by.

I also use my handheld to play audiobooks when I’m on long drives. There are lots of websites that will let you download auidobooks for nominal fees.

A battery saving setting change when you swap to music playing mode is the backlight. When I use my handheld for work I have the backlight set at 5 minutes before it dims. When I use it for entertainment, I have the backlight go out after 15 seconds. This makes a big difference in battery usage.

 

[gagolden]

Sorry to enter into your conversation, but I am an incoming student and I am looking for a darn good vet in the Des Moines area….I have a special needs cat. Thank god my parents pay for her, so I can shell out whatever it costs…..any of you know of a superb vet in the area? Thanks

And what is all this about restriction or rotation sites for my class….I wish I had known about this before….

Look up Dr. Olds. She is who I use. Good service, decent pricing. She just moved her office so I don't know where she is now. Dont use Fleur pet hospital.

 

[homeboy]

ItsElectric,

First off, you have NEVER been able to do a rotation w/ just anyone. 3rd year has always had to be in one of the core hosipitals/clinics. 4th year rotations are different where you can set up your electives where you want to go, but half of them must be under the supervision of a DO. In 4th year you are only required to do 8 weeks of required clerkships, but after that is when you can set up your electives.

Nothing for sure is happening right now. As many other med schools do, DMU sounds like they are talking about trying to keep their students in state for 3rd year w/ the possibility of Ohio & Michigan still. They did not say anything about Methodist, but that would be great. However, I would think that they will have to get a lot more sites in Iowa before they could even consider implementing these types of changes.

Like I said, I do not want to be spreading any rumors, but I was just curious to see what 2nd & 3rd years were thinking about this.

What? 3rd year is more than required core, kinda.... Core hospital and clinic are the big required blocks, as are core electives, and they make 90% of your 3rd year, but you had a choice to do those core electives out of state if it worked out better for you. Also, there's plenty of people doing core hospital and clinic in Fl, MN, Utah, etc...MI and Ohio they'll keep. I'm doing my OB in Omaha for a month--I'd rather spend a month with relatives in Omaha and rotate with a recent DMU grad than be required to do an OB rotation in middle-of-nowhere Iowa 4 hours away (and how is housing going to work out??) just because it's "in Iowa." This is not a rumor; it's already happening--Reed sent us all an email explaining so, we're haveing a class meeting next Friday, and tons of my classmates have been turned down for rotations out of state for True electives because they're not "in Iowa." This is totally out of nowhere, and it's rediculous; you're telling me 200+ students are going to get OB slots in Iowa when they can't even get 25 for the greater Des Moines area?
Straight from the mouth of Boesler: "It soudns good on paper, but it will never work."

 

[babyruth]

What? 3rd year is more than required core, kinda.... Core hospital and clinic are the big required blocks, as are core electives, and they make 90% of your 3rd year, but you had a choice to do those core electives out of state if it worked out better for you. Also, there's plenty of people doing core hospital and clinic in Fl, MN, Utah, etc...MI and Ohio they'll keep. I'm doing my OB in Omaha for a month--I'd rather spend a month with relatives in Omaha and rotate with a recent DMU grad than be required to do an OB rotation in middle-of-nowhere Iowa 4 hours away (and how is housing going to work out??) just because it's "in Iowa." This is not a rumor; it's already happening--Reed sent us all an email explaining so, we're haveing a class meeting next Friday, and tons of my classmates have been turned down for rotations out of state for True electives because they're not "in Iowa." This is totally out of nowhere, and it's rediculous; you're telling me 200+ students are going to get OB slots in Iowa when they can't even get 25 for the greater Des Moines area?
Straight from the mouth of Boesler: "It soudns good on paper, but it will never work."

I would suggest doing michigan and Ohio core sites then. The Ohio core was very well planned and organized and they have helped me more than DMU has with setting up fourth year rotations. Plus they integrate OMM into the rotations which I thought was very well done. They pretty much baby us here. Plus you have access to doing rotation sites through the Cleveland clinic, University health systems in cleveland, Doctor's hospital systems in columbus, or Akron hospital which are very big research facilities. I am going to michigan next year and have heard some great things about the big hospitals in detroit.

 

[babyruth]

I am on surgery right now and it is okay. I lucked out and my attending was basically gone for the first week and so I did not have to be on call, then he is not on call for the next two weeks; so basically I have only been on call one week. Right now I am trying to figure out if surgeons are all the same. I get reamed when I don't do something or do it incorrectly but get no props when I do something really well. I have tried to make him laugh but it seems he has no sense of humor or we just do not click. Any suggestions on how to break the ice?

 

[Krazykritter]

What? 3rd year is more than required core, kinda.... Core hospital and clinic are the big required blocks, as are core electives, and they make 90% of your 3rd year, but you had a choice to do those core electives out of state if it worked out better for you. Also, there's plenty of people doing core hospital and clinic in Fl, MN, Utah, etc...MI and Ohio they'll keep. I'm doing my OB in Omaha for a month--I'd rather spend a month with relatives in Omaha and rotate with a recent DMU grad than be required to do an OB rotation in middle-of-nowhere Iowa 4 hours away (and how is housing going to work out??) just because it's "in Iowa." This is not a rumor; it's already happening--Reed sent us all an email explaining so, we're haveing a class meeting next Friday, and tons of my classmates have been turned down for rotations out of state for True electives because they're not "in Iowa." This is totally out of nowhere, and it's rediculous; you're telling me 200+ students are going to get OB slots in Iowa when they can't even get 25 for the greater Des Moines area?
Straight from the mouth of Boesler: "It soudns good on paper, but it will never work."

I totally understand all the frustration. I guess I just kind of assumed that they are going to keep the core clinics & hospitals they have now b/c they have worked out in the past. It surprises me a lot that people would be turned down for True electives b/c from what Boz told us, True electives are supposed to be used to be seen at places you may want to apply for residency.

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens next Friday.

 

[cremaster2007]

I am on surgery right now and it is okay. I lucked out and my attending was basically gone for the first week and so I did not have to be on call, then he is not on call for the next two weeks; so basically I have only been on call one week. Right now I am trying to figure out if surgeons are all the same. I get reamed when I don't do something or do it incorrectly but get no props when I do something really well. I have tried to make him laugh but it seems he has no sense of humor or we just do not click. Any suggestions on how to break the ice?

I am not planning on taking the USMLE Step II because I don't have any sort of a chance in matching an allo NS program. I asked if this would effect my chances of getting an allo fellowship and the resident I talked to said no, because by the time you are applying its more who you know and who knows who. I would say though if you are on the fence about specialty/programs, then take it. I know its extra money, but it just looks better with both scores, even if you don't do "super-awesome-great" on the USMLE its nice to have it so they can look at both your scores and see you are average or above on both tests.

For breaking the ice............I don't know I had some attendings like that as well. Surgeons are notorious for breaking you down and never complimenting you, at least the old school ones are. That's how they were trained, it's very militaristic........they were **** on for 5 years and told they were worthless, etc until they were chief, then they graduated and did it to others. I'd just keep doing what you are doing, show up work hard and don't take it personally, I'm sure you are further along than most other 3rd years since I've seen some on my rotations who can't tie a knot or don't know how to suture🙂

 

[cremaster2007]

I totally understand all the frustration. I guess I just kind of assumed that they are going to keep the core clinics & hospitals they have now b/c they have worked out in the past. It surprises me a lot that people would be turned down for True electives b/c from what Boz told us, True electives are supposed to be used to be seen at places you may want to apply for residency.

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens next Friday.

what it sounds like to me is that they are trying to keep core hospitals and core electives in Iowa. I agree with Boz, I"m trying to set up a 4th year FP back in IA to be near my family during the holidays and I"m getting turned down left and right. They just don't have enough sites/hospitals int he des moines area to accomodate dmu class size. I don't know how they could not let you rotate at already approved "away" rotations. I could see them maybe putting like a 3 month limit on rotations that students haven't been to in 5 years, but I really enjoy the fact that I get to travel, and check out multiple hospitals for multiple programs. I don't know for sure what's going on back there, and I only skim read your guys' posts, but do keep us informed......

 

[babyruth]

It would really suck if you guys cannot do your 4th year electives at the programs you are going to be applying to, that is usually how you figure if you like it or not. Otherwise you could look on scutwork.com for reviews but they do not always tell you the info. I hope this works out for you.

By the by, they have a really awesome OMM guy out here and he told me that DMU called him to ask him if he would be interested. It's too bad that he has family here and does not really want to leave because he is one of those magic people with OMM and a great teacher and would have been a spectacular OMM head.

P.S. Cream--- the guy really doesn't let me suture... I get to hold retractors, suction stuff, and dap the blood. One time I got to staples, yoohoo. I heard you actually get more experience with suturing in OB-gyn at this hospital, of which I am starting next month.

 

[cremaster2007]

[/QUOTE]

P.S. Cream--- the guy really doesn't let me suture... I get to hold retractors, suction stuff, and dap the blood. One time I got to staples, yoohoo. I heard you actually get more experience with suturing in OB-gyn at this hospital, of which I am starting next month.[/QUOTE]


sorry to hear that.............I find it humorous how some attendings seem to forget what it is like to be a medical student.......

 

[homeboy]

hey guys, you remember Dr. Wolfe? The guy that taught a bunch of the neurology lectures? Apparently his license is indeffinately suspended...do a name search on the Des Moines Register's website...
inappropriate sexual relations with 3 patients, billing for patients he didn't see, etc...

 

[cremaster2007]

I do remember Dr. Wolfe, and that just goes to show Portier than your master plan will never work 😉

 

[Portier]

Ms Monsma said, "The number one way to lose your license is to have sex with patients."


WTF?

I liked him, too...great sense of humor on those 2 days I went to classes.

 

[luckystar]

I know the USMLE step 2 question wasn't directed towards me, but just FYI, here's what one program had to say about it when I emailed:

"Step I score is very important and used as a barometer in the application process. Having your Step II score available gives the selection committee more information and is a good thing given that you do well. It's nice to be able to see someone's "track record"."

As for 4th year rotations, I hope you guys get to keep the freedom that we've been able to enjoy. Third year has too much structure built in to get very creative with. I'm not sure that they can promise to keep everybody in Iowa, although including MI and OH makes it easier. Add me to the list of not understanding why these same geographical limitations are placed upon core electives, especially places that have already been established. And again, as discussed before, DMU seriously needs to consider budgeting in a stipend or some other sort of compensation for these places who are willing to become teaching sites for their students.

We had to put a lot of work into coordinating 4th year rotations at larger universities, such as filling out a bunch of applications, lots of emailing, and making sure that our requested time slots fit into their calendars. It was a good thing that the man and I have the same clinical affairs coordinator, and she has actually done a fantastic job at getting our paperwork in. The most important thing is to stay organized. It takes a lot of time to research each place to maximize your chances of getting a spot there.

 

[luckystar]

Oh, and somebody said that half of your 4th year electives have to be with a DO or where a DO is the DME. Unless they changed the rules, it's actually 22 weeks of your total elective time, including the 8 weeks of true electives AND the 16 weeks of core electives that you have during third year. So you really do have a whole lot of freedom.

 

[Astroglide User]

Compared to medical students from other schools i have met, we have a great deal of freedom. People from Wayne St, Michigan St, and Univ of Michigan don't get anywhere near the amount of electives we do. They are required to do 2 months of general surgery, one month of E.R. (which just trains you to be a chicken-shxt in my opinion), and two months of internal medicine (puke). I'd rather get tied up at a zoo and have a bear maul me. Well, nevermind that comment...just realize that @DMU we do have a unique rotation schedule in that we get to choose a great deal where we go, as long as you are not counting on staying in des moines.

 

[luckystar]

I'd rather get tied up at a zoo and have a bear maul me.

Like this?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060515/ap_on_fe_st/netherlands_bear_eats_monkey_1;_ylt=Anq8iNfUGORhcQs5vSGtsfrlWMcF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGVna3NhBHNlYwNzc3JlbA--

 

[cremaster2007]

I agree our rotation schedule is pretty sweet. I'm still on the fence for step II, I am thinking I might take it, I just don't want to shell out the money. I do know I still have to sign up for the PE exam If anyone is around Des Moines I fly back the 25th for 4 days so get a hold of me and maybe we can run into each other.

 

[Astroglide User]

Lucky - I was reading that article right before writing my comment on SDN I think. That would have been a site to see. I find it funny when people are surprised that animals do, in fact, kill other animals for food. "March of the penguins" was not about a bunch of virgin nuns on a journey to find their home.

This might be an old song, but i suggest downloading it: "Buck Cherry - Crazy Bitch"

Great lyrics.

 

[Portier]

Well I love her, but I love to fish.
I spend all day out on this lake and hell is all I catch.
Well today she met me at the door
Said I would have to choose
If I hit that fishing hole today
She'd be packing all her things, and she'd be gone by noon.....

Well I'm gonna' miss her
When I get home...Right now I'm on this lakeshore and I'm sitting in the sun
I'm sure it'll hit me...
When I walk through that door tonight
Yeah I'm gonnna' miss her....oh lookey there, I got a bite!


(Big d, you know what I mean....)

 

[babyruth]

Well I love her, but I love to fish.
I spend all day out on this lake and hell is all I catch.
Well today she met me at the door
Said I would have to choose
If I hit that fishing hole today
She'd be packing all her things, and she'd be gone by noon.....

Well I'm gonna' miss her
When I get home...Right now I'm on this lakeshore and I'm sitting in the sun
I'm sure it'll hit me...
When I walk through that door tonight
Yeah I'm gonnna' miss her....oh lookey there, I got a bite!


(Big d, you know what I mean....)

For those of you setting up your own rotations:

So I wasn't able to get MSU to let me stay for longer than 8 weeks in Michigan (Kalamazoo).

So how do I go about setting up individual rotations in the area without going through MSU? DO I ask individual doctors if they will take me? What kind of crap to I have to go through to get clinical affairs to set me up with a doc that agrees?

 

[babyruth]

What is everyone doing right now?

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

What is everyone doing right now?

sleeping in

 

[cremaster2007]

Last month of FP..........and yes ask individual Doctor's, or set up rotations in the area at other hospitals and then call programs you are interested in and see if you can come visit for a day during the week or on the weekend when you aren't working................that's about all the advice I got..........

 

[Astroglide User]

I cannot go to work today: yesterday at 1pm i started blowing green-brown liquid out my butt, and this eventually turned to vomiting as well. i cannot hold anything down, and i go #2 nearly q 15 minutes. This really sucks. I am probably dehydrated as all hell.

I hope I don't get suspended from DMU b/c I'm sick today and won't be filling out logs.

 

[cremaster2007]

I cannot go to work today: yesterday at 1pm i started blowing green-brown liquid out my butt, and this eventually turned to vomiting as well. i cannot hold anything down, and i go #2 nearly q 15 minutes. This really sucks. I am probably dehydrated as all hell.

I hope I don't get suspended from DMU b/c I'm sick today and won't be filling out logs.

They are probably gonna kick you out of school........nobody is allowed to get the ****s................nobody............but I hope that while having this acute gastritis you develope a thrombosed hemorrhoid so know what your DRE victims feel like with your giant fingers.................

 

[Krazykritter]

Any tips from anyone about Wattleworth's Visual Recognition Exam?? Studying for this exam has made me hate derm w/ a passion. I don't care what the hours are or how much $$$ they make.

 

[cremaster2007]

Any tips from anyone about Wattleworth's Visual Recognition Exam?? Studying for this exam has made me hate derm w/ a passion. I don't care what the hours are or how much $$$ they make.

us 07er's didn't have to take it...........sorry.

 

[homeboy]

Any tips from anyone about Wattleworth's Visual Recognition Exam?? Studying for this exam has made me hate derm w/ a passion. I don't care what the hours are or how much $$$ they make.

at least you guys get a word bank...ours was strictly from memory.

 

[PublicEnemy]

how this thread still escapes the class threads folder continues to amaze me. good job guys.