Elective Choices for Intern Year

[bellepmr]

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I have been accepted into an advanced PM&R program, but of course, have to tackle my intern year first. I am doing a traditional intern year which leaves 4-5months for electives. Any ideas as to what will REALLY help me PGY2 year and beyond? I am already planning Neurology (of course) but any other ideas?
Also, how did you prepare in your private reading for residency? I know it is critical to learn all I can intern year, but in my spare time (sitting up in the middle of night on call) any ideas on what to review?
Thanks!!

 

[topwise]

What's an advanced PM&R program? By "traditional" intern year, do you mean "transitional"?

I think the best rotations would be neurology, ortho clinic, rheum, and radiology.

If you're sitting up in the middle of the night on your medicine call, I'd say read about your medicine patients. Knowing your medicine well will help you during your PGY2 year, whereas anything you read on a rehab topic that you likely won't see for another nine months will probably be forgotten.

 

[bellepmr]

Advanced meaning- a program that starts at PGY-2 level and requires a preliminary year (some sort of PGY-1) (like advanced programs vs categorical programs)

Yes, I meant traditional. I am an osteopath and we call our "transitional" year traditional year. I have no idea why.... probably just so I would have to explain it!! 😳

Thanks for your input. Those were rotations I was leaning towards. For radiology- would your recommend more MSK like plain films and hope to see lots of Brain MRI on Neuro?

Thanks!!

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

I did a transitional year waaaaayyyy back in the 90's, but here's what I did:

Radiology, focusing on learning to read xrays better and getting some exposure to MRI, CT and IR.
Ortho - I mainly hung around with the pedi-ortho's since they saw lots of kids with disabilities and they were the less malignant personalities.
Sports med x 2 weeks - did it as a student, wanted to see a little more
Podiatry x 2 weeks - to see what they did and how they did it
Urology - has been very helpful to me over the years - lots of bladder issues in PM&R, much more than bowel.
Rheumatology, to see how the FLEAS do MSK 🙄

 

[Ludicolo]

My chosen transitional year electives (back in the day):
Neuro
Rheum
Sports Med (done through Family Med - different perspective)
Geriatrics - got to rotate through local SNFs - eye opening experience.
Radiology - worked it so I did 2 weeks MSK, 2 weeks neuro (spine/brain)