Evaluating rotation sites

[Rollo]

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What are some criteria you folks use when figuring out what rotation site to pick?

For example, I thought looking at number of beds the hospital has gives you an idea of how much variable pathology you will see. Going to a site with no residency program will let you get more hands-on experience. Private practice group might end up becoming a shadowing experience which could be good if you aren't interested in that specialty.

I'm just brainstorming here. I don't know how accurate my assessments are though.

Any ideas?

 

[MDpride]

No: of beds will give you idea of how busy hospital is and different pathology you will see.

BUT, i will ask who is going to be your preceptor. If your preceptor ONLY sees certain kind of cases then u r stuck with only those cases.

If you have more than one preceptor, then it will give u exposure to cases they are seeing. three max.

 

[Rollo]

No: of beds will give you idea of how busy hospital is and different pathology you will see.

BUT, i will ask who is going to be your preceptor. If your preceptor ONLY sees certain kind of cases then u r stuck with only those cases.

If you have more than one preceptor, then it will give u exposure to cases they are seeing. three max.

How do I figure out what kind of cases attending sees? Look at his research interests?

 

[pianoman511]

Unfortunately there's no way to really find out what it will be like until you're there. I have based a lot of my decisions on input from other medical students who have already done rotations at hospitals where I am interested in going. So far that strategy has panned out well. I am currently at a more rural location doing an OB/GYN rotation and have already done more and seen more than I would have at other sites. One thing to look at is whether or not there is a residency program at the site you're interested in. Many times, if there's not, you will be directly with the attending, which has it's positives and negatives. Another idea is to check on SDN for reviews of the hospital/rotation. They are scattered but do exist (if any mods are listening is there any possibility of making a rotation review section as a subforum within this forum ?). Another website to check is scutwork.com. Many of the reviews on there are actually for rotations and not residencies so it's worth a look.

The primary thing to remember is this - a rotation is what you make of it. If all you do is sit back and lament how terrible it is then you won't get anything out of it. If you volunteer for things, get involved in your patients, and research the pathology that you see it will be more rewarding and a better experience, regardless of how much pathology there is.

 

[MDpride]

How do I figure out what kind of cases attending sees? Look at his research interests?

ask medical education director at insitution of interest regarding rotation.
try to get as much info u can. Also ask for preceptor contact such as email.
then email and ask.

 

[MDpride]

previous student rotation exp. is very imp to know. BUT, diff students go into rotation with different goals and diff. expectations.