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Can someone please let me know which electives are expected for ER and General Surg residencies. Any websites with this info?
Thanks.
Thanks.
electives to do for ER and Surg residencies
- Thread starter chesspro_md
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njbmd
•••quote:•••Originally posted by chesspro_md:
•Can someone please let me know which electives are expected for ER and General Surg residencies. Any websites with this info?
Thanks.•••••Hi there,
I can give you some perspective for General Surgery. First, there are no "expected" electives. Elective are just what the term defines; something that is elective and not "expected" or required.
You can take two approaches to choosing electives, first, you can use an elective to explore disciplines that will make you a better intern. Examples for surgery would be: Radiology, Gastroenterology, any intensive care, trauma surgery, nephrology, emergency medicine etc. or second, you can choose electives to explore disciplines that you want to explore and possibly go into such as anesthesia, orthopedic surgery, ENT or radiology. You want to save a couple of your elective slots to do visiting clerkships at residency programs that interest you if you think you may be a longshot for that particular program. Many programs encourage visiting clerkships for prospective residency applicants.
You may want to consult with your clinical faculty advisor as to which electives might be good choices for you. Residents in surgery or EM are also a good source of information.
Good luck!
•Can someone please let me know which electives are expected for ER and General Surg residencies. Any websites with this info?
Thanks.•••••Hi there,
I can give you some perspective for General Surgery. First, there are no "expected" electives. Elective are just what the term defines; something that is elective and not "expected" or required.
You can take two approaches to choosing electives, first, you can use an elective to explore disciplines that will make you a better intern. Examples for surgery would be: Radiology, Gastroenterology, any intensive care, trauma surgery, nephrology, emergency medicine etc. or second, you can choose electives to explore disciplines that you want to explore and possibly go into such as anesthesia, orthopedic surgery, ENT or radiology. You want to save a couple of your elective slots to do visiting clerkships at residency programs that interest you if you think you may be a longshot for that particular program. Many programs encourage visiting clerkships for prospective residency applicants.
You may want to consult with your clinical faculty advisor as to which electives might be good choices for you. Residents in surgery or EM are also a good source of information.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the response. Anyone with other suggestions? Thanks.
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One of my general surgery attendings told me I should take as many medicine electives as possible b/c I'd "have the rest of my life to learn surgery".
I really didn't take his advice b/c #1: I really can't stand medicine's style and didn't want to spend my last year of freedom miserable and #2: although the concepts are the same for, say GI and Gen Surg, the two specialties take different approaches.
I really think you should turn your 4th year into a vacation (at least the spring semester). Radiology is definitely a must b/c it's easy and you'll learn a ton of practical info. A month of the ICU at the beginning of the year is not a bad idea either. Many of my friends did the medicine thing and took Cardiology, GI, Pulmonology, Nephrology, etc. all of which should help you immensely in ER or GS.
If it's not mandatory at your school like it was mine, I HIGHLY recommend taking a rural rotation. I learned more and had more independence in the rural area where I was pretty much the ER "doc". I triaged a lot of stuff, took care of what I could, and always communicated with the attendings who were usually in clinic but would come to the ER for every patient even if it was just to sign my note and say 'hey' to the patient. It's just nice to be put on the spot where the nurse/patient ask you what you want to do.
I do regret not taking at least of those medicine electives simply b/c I'm so much dumber right now prior to beginning PGY-1 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . BUT, I had a blast during 4th year and definitely wouldn't trade it.
I really didn't take his advice b/c #1: I really can't stand medicine's style and didn't want to spend my last year of freedom miserable and #2: although the concepts are the same for, say GI and Gen Surg, the two specialties take different approaches.
I really think you should turn your 4th year into a vacation (at least the spring semester). Radiology is definitely a must b/c it's easy and you'll learn a ton of practical info. A month of the ICU at the beginning of the year is not a bad idea either. Many of my friends did the medicine thing and took Cardiology, GI, Pulmonology, Nephrology, etc. all of which should help you immensely in ER or GS.
If it's not mandatory at your school like it was mine, I HIGHLY recommend taking a rural rotation. I learned more and had more independence in the rural area where I was pretty much the ER "doc". I triaged a lot of stuff, took care of what I could, and always communicated with the attendings who were usually in clinic but would come to the ER for every patient even if it was just to sign my note and say 'hey' to the patient. It's just nice to be put on the spot where the nurse/patient ask you what you want to do.
I do regret not taking at least of those medicine electives simply b/c I'm so much dumber right now prior to beginning PGY-1 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . BUT, I had a blast during 4th year and definitely wouldn't trade it.
