EM externship shift requests?

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TXchick

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I am doing an externship in EM in September and was wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether or not it is ok to ask to be scheduled on shifts with the residency director at that program. I want a SLOR from the director and would like to have direct contact with him in order to get a good one, but do not want to seem pushy or demanding in the process. Any opinions or advice?
thanks
 
Truthfully, I think the best thing you can do is ask for it. Find out the PD's schedule and ask to work on some of those days. I would also try to do it towards the middle to end of the month so you feel more comfortable with the layout of the place. Don't try to impress by grabbing a stack of charts and plowing through your workups - take a few good cases at a time, and be sure to be noticed reading about the cases with interest...
 
TXchick said:
I am doing an externship in EM in September and was wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether or not it is ok to ask to be scheduled on shifts with the residency director at that program. I want a SLOR from the director and would like to have direct contact with him in order to get a good one, but do not want to seem pushy or demanding in the process. Any opinions or advice?
thanks


just realize that everyone probably is looking for the same thing. a lot of programs stick you into a pattern (couple of days, middles, etc) so that it just depends if you work a shift with the residency director.

also, realize that in em, attendings schedules vary a lot. when i did my EM rotation the most i worked with one attending was 3 shifts. if you do a good job (which as others have mentionned is not stacking up charts but doing a good job on the patients you are carrying) you will be impressive. most em rotations give you evals to hand out to the attendings/senior residents you work with and compile them for the SLOR. often, the SLOR is not written by the residency director but the 4th year EM coordinator. the 4th year EM coordinator is an attending who compiles all the evals.

also, when you are there, go to conferences, show up on time for your shifts, and work hard. EM is a different field in that, in my experience, residents have a lot of say in who matches. EM is not as hierarchical as surgery or IM. Residents input is usually valued a lot. don't worry too much if you don't get to work with the program director. just make an overall good impression and i think you're good to go.
 
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