- Joined
- Oct 13, 2010
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- 39
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I understand the value of networking with renowned physicians, especially in a small field. But what about the education itself?
Reflecting back on my education in medical school, I feel that the majority of my learning was done at home, and what mattered most were the fellow students and the flexible curriculum that allowed me to find ways to learn to my best ability (discussing with fellow students and upperclassmen, and looking for best resources to learn on my own). Working with brilliant, Dr.House-like clinicians at the hospitals was memorable, but it did not make significant contribution to my clinical skills. Working with a resident who cared about my learning did.
But that is medical school, where all of the learning is rudimentary. In residency, each resident gets significantly more attention from the attendings, and the residents are there to learn everything to be comprehensive ophthalmologists, or competent fellows.
On one hand, I wonder if the clinical and surgical skills, like performing cataract surgery, learned from residency are basic enough that the vast majority of the attendings anywhere can provide excellent education. And that what matters more is just whether there is a education-friendly curriculum, where one can get ready feedback from the attendings in the O.R., in the wet lab curriculum, and the time and resources to practice the skills on my own. And perhaps, reading up on up-to-date ophthalmology recommendations and watching the videos of skilled surgeons on my own time will be the adequate way to complement the resident education.
On the other hand, there is the book, Better, by Dr. Atul Gawande, where he mentions that even in the early 2000's, the performances of the hospitals nationally on managing cystic fibrosis differed significantly, despite the fact that the hospitals followed the same national guidelines. Perhaps, even if Michael Jordan, the best basketball player, isn't necessarily the best teacher, I will learn something significant by just seeing how he works throughout the day, the intangibles and the tendencies that can be only appreciated in person.
I am making a rank list as an M4. My ultimate goal would be to pick a program that would best prepare me to be the best clinician and surgeon. I understand that the severity and variety of pathology and surgical volume matter. But I am curious to know how important working with exceptional clinicians and surgeons may be in residency. And whether finding a residency curriculum that would fit my learning style the best (good mix of supervision vs. autonomy, efficient clinic with techs, busy being on call but good call schedule, wet lab curriculum, eyeSI) is more significant.
I would love to hear what the residents, fellows, and attendings would have to share about the topic! Thank you!
Denny Crane!
Reflecting back on my education in medical school, I feel that the majority of my learning was done at home, and what mattered most were the fellow students and the flexible curriculum that allowed me to find ways to learn to my best ability (discussing with fellow students and upperclassmen, and looking for best resources to learn on my own). Working with brilliant, Dr.House-like clinicians at the hospitals was memorable, but it did not make significant contribution to my clinical skills. Working with a resident who cared about my learning did.
But that is medical school, where all of the learning is rudimentary. In residency, each resident gets significantly more attention from the attendings, and the residents are there to learn everything to be comprehensive ophthalmologists, or competent fellows.
On one hand, I wonder if the clinical and surgical skills, like performing cataract surgery, learned from residency are basic enough that the vast majority of the attendings anywhere can provide excellent education. And that what matters more is just whether there is a education-friendly curriculum, where one can get ready feedback from the attendings in the O.R., in the wet lab curriculum, and the time and resources to practice the skills on my own. And perhaps, reading up on up-to-date ophthalmology recommendations and watching the videos of skilled surgeons on my own time will be the adequate way to complement the resident education.
On the other hand, there is the book, Better, by Dr. Atul Gawande, where he mentions that even in the early 2000's, the performances of the hospitals nationally on managing cystic fibrosis differed significantly, despite the fact that the hospitals followed the same national guidelines. Perhaps, even if Michael Jordan, the best basketball player, isn't necessarily the best teacher, I will learn something significant by just seeing how he works throughout the day, the intangibles and the tendencies that can be only appreciated in person.
I am making a rank list as an M4. My ultimate goal would be to pick a program that would best prepare me to be the best clinician and surgeon. I understand that the severity and variety of pathology and surgical volume matter. But I am curious to know how important working with exceptional clinicians and surgeons may be in residency. And whether finding a residency curriculum that would fit my learning style the best (good mix of supervision vs. autonomy, efficient clinic with techs, busy being on call but good call schedule, wet lab curriculum, eyeSI) is more significant.
I would love to hear what the residents, fellows, and attendings would have to share about the topic! Thank you!
Denny Crane!
