Getting Stupid

[Laurel123]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

I have now been in private practice for 5 years. Loving it, in the groove. But the nerdy part of me is feeling my knowledge base slipping somewhat. My critical care knowledge has quickly become subpar. We keep it pretty simple at work, but I don't want to become someone that just goes through the motions, if you know what I mean.

How do you private practice people stay sharp? Do you still study? Read Miller?
Thanks!

 

[rsgillmd]

I'm not technically private practice. We are applying to get our residency back. We have CRNAs and SRNAs. I've limited my teaching of CRNAs and SRNAs to things that are critical. Medical students rotate through the main OR for 1 week, so they only get the basics.

Reading the various threads on this board that are backed up by articles is useful.

I did the ACE program last year and thought it was pretty useful. It reminded me of some stuff that I had forgotten, and I'm only 2 years out.

Seeing some strange pathology also serves as an impetus for a focused refresher.

I do not read Miller or Barash unless it is to look up a specific topic for a quick refresher. Usually I'll do a quick Google/Pubmed search.

You can also look through the refresher course lectures provided by ASA. Most are very basic so I've essentially stopped going to them at the conference. The panels are more interesting.

Good luck.

 

[Dejavu]

Our department requires, even for us old guys with "forever" certificates, that we go through the MOCA process.

Believe me, having done it a couple of years ago, studying up for that test will help sharpen your knowledge base. A lot.

 

[desflurane]

I get a lot of the Audio Digest lectures. Its not cheap but I listen on call or when I drive. Hopkins has something similar for a lot of CME. The ACE program is good as well but mostly a basic sci refresher rather than summary of latest research.

The Audio Digest lectures are mostly what I use, except the time they sent me a utterly usless lecture on "OR checklists" done by a CRNA. It was literally like: "this is how I set up my workspace so I am prepared for the day" I complained and got my money refunded for that one.