Going to hospital when you have the common cold

[pristina]

Should you go to hospital and attend wards / clinics etc when YOU have the common cold?

Basically if you have a snuffly nose, a frequent moist cough (i.e. others know you have a cold).. but otherwise you feel ok - should you go?

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[operaman]

Yes.

 

[DermViser]

Yes. Just like the rest of the workforce.

 

[plumazul]

Should you go to hospital and attend wards / clinics etc when YOU have the common cold?

Basically if you have a snuffly nose, a frequent moist cough (i.e. others know you have a cold).. but otherwise you feel ok - should you go?

There are some highly effective OTC remedies for the symptoms you mention.

 

[DarknightX]

Suck it up. If you're concerned about being infectious, then wear a mask.

 

[Psai]

The only time you're sick enough to not see patients is when you're a patient.

But don't be like my classmate and cough on everything and everyone. Half the residents and med students got sick last week

 

[KnuxNole]

Yes. Although a lot of people in society would disagree. We had med students skip a week for the cold.

 

[fab4fan]

Don't they have to make that time up?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

The only time you're sick enough to not see patients is when you're a patient.

But don't be like my classmate and cough on everything and everyone. Half the residents and med students got sick last week

Usually when one resident gets a cold, it is only a matter of time until the whole program is infected.

 

[DermViser]

Yes. Although a lot of people in society would disagree. We had med students skip a week for the cold.

Wow, that's just ridiculous. Residency will be a shock to them.

 

[redpanda]

Ah yes. I infected my entire medicine team last year, including the sub-I who actually had to take a day off because it got really bad. Whoops.

 

[maxxor]

In med school, I was told if you have a fever, you shouldn't be seeing patients.

 

[IonClaws]

Wow, that's just ridiculous. Residency will be a shock to them.

Yeah...usually, I'm not even aware that I'm sick when I probably have a cold. It's about as much illness as having a minor itch.

 

[KnuxNole]

Don't they have to make that time up?

Apparently not. The one who took a week off managed to get covered by classmates and the residents on that rotation.

I won't be surprises that the same people use their sick days loosely.

 

[DarknightX]

Apparently not. The one who took a week off managed to get covered by classmates and the residents on that rotation.

I won't be surprises that the same people use their sick days loosely.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding here, but what exactly do med students do that needs to be "covered"?

 

[DermViser]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding here, but what exactly do med students do that needs to be "covered"?

Getting vitals, ins/outs, etc.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

The only time you're sick enough to not see patients is when you're a patient.

But don't be like my classmate and cough on everything and everyone. Half the residents and med students got sick last week

Yes and no. As a med student, you're an extra body and extra work. If you're actually sick, stay home. A cold? That's pretty weak. You should be able to see patients, so long as (a) you're not on oncology or something and (b) you're not coughing all over them. Wear a mask if you think you might make people sick. That said, it's your education and if you don't feel well and want a day off, take it. You're in school, you're not getting paid, you're not making anyone else's life easier, AND you're paying tuition. You should be allowed to take a sick day now and then. There are going to be times when you have the flu (stomach or respiratory) and you plain old feel like crap, but you know it will pass and don't need a hospital admission to tell you that. In those cases, no question, stay home.

As a resident, understand that when you don't show up, that's more work for your co-residents who are overworked already. If you're truly sick, stay home. Just don't take advantage of it and stay home because you just want one more day to get over the tickle in your throat.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

Getting vitals, ins/outs, etc.

Oh come on. No team is going to miss the med student because they have to write down their own vitals. Also, I'm pretty sure the poster who made that post meant that the other students covered for the student with the school, as in no one squealed that the student in question missed a week of the rotation.

 

[DermViser]

Oh come on. No team is going to miss the med student because they have to write down their own vitals. Also, I'm pretty sure the poster who made that post meant that the other students covered for the student with the school, as in no one squealed that the student in question missed a week of the rotation.

Residents on MS-3 clerkships notice when a med student is gone.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Residents on MS-3 clerkships notice when a med student is gone.

We notice...but it doesn't exactly grind the hospital to a halt.

I don't really care if a med student is legitimately sick. And I've sent home students who looked miserable. But it doesn't pass the sniff test when someone calls in sick for a week and then shows up looking right as rain (or worse...tan)

 

[DermViser]

We notice...but it doesn't exactly grind the hospital to a halt.

I don't really care if a med student is legitimately sick. And I've sent home students who looked miserable. But it doesn't pass the sniff test when someone calls in sick for a week and then shows up looking right as rain (or worse...tan)

Hope this didn't really happen or if it did happen, you nailed her on the comments in the eval.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Hope this didn't really happen or if it did happen, you nailed her on the comments in the eval.

This supposedly happened to a friend of mine with his student, but I didn't know the details.

Other slip ups I have witnessed include calling in sick and then posting FB pictures at the bar.

 

[DermViser]

This supposedly happened to a friend of mine with his student, but I didn't know the details.

Other slip ups I have witnessed include calling in sick and then posting FB pictures at the bar.

And to think we thought skipping a day to get extra time to study for the shelf exam made us rebels.

 

[KnuxNole]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding here, but what exactly do med students do that needs to be "covered"?

Showing up. One student bragged how he was buddy-buddy with a surg resident who gave him off the hook that he was gone for a few days for a head cold, so the school didn't officially put him on sick leave. Personally, one girl on my rotation was "sick" a lot, left early(1pm), and told us to "cover" by telling the residents she was studying or somewhere else.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

Residents on MS-3 clerkships notice when a med student is gone.

As an intern, I have to say I'm sorry, but too bad. They're MS 3s. They're not there to make our lives easier. They're there to learn and if they feel like they need a sick day, they should take it. It's their education.

 

[KnuxNole]

Oh come on. No team is going to miss the med student because they have to write down their own vitals. Also, I'm pretty sure the poster who made that post meant that the other students covered for the student with the school, as in no one squealed that the student in question missed a week of the rotation.

That is correct.

 

[DermViser]

As an intern, I have to say I'm sorry, but too bad. They're MS 3s. They're not there to make our lives easier. They're there to learn and if they feel like they need a sick day, they should take it. It's their education.

Wrong. Their job is realize what the job entails and take part in patient care before they're thrown to the wolves as an intern. This isn't the basic science classroom.

 

[DermViser]

Showing up. One student bragged how he was buddy-buddy with a surg resident who gave him off the hook that he was gone for a few days for a head cold, so the school didn't officially put him on sick leave. Personally, one girl on my rotation was "sick" a lot, left early(1pm), and told us to "cover" by telling the residents she was studying or somewhere else.

There's a reason why schools are getting involved bc of shenanigans students pull on rotations. I get it if you're someone going for a specialty and you don't care to do x specialty but that is completely irrelevant to your intern or your resident.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

Wrong. Their job is realize what the job entails and take part in patient care before they're thrown to the wolves as an intern. This isn't the basic science classroom.

Um, how is that any different than what I said? If I recall correctly (and I do), I said that they're there to learn. That doesn't mean they shouldn't take a day off if they're sick (and before you start, I'm not addressing SouthernIM's story or anyone else's; I'm talking about a third year taking a day off when he/she is sick).

 

[DermViser]

Um, how is that any different than what I said? If I recall correctly (and I do), I said that they're there to learn. That doesn't mean they shouldn't take a day off if they're sick (and before you start, I'm not addressing SouthernIM's story or anyone else's; I'm talking about a third year taking a day off when he/she is sick).

No, their job is to see patients, do H&Ps, get involved in patient care, write notes, etc. ---> like an actual intern.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

No, their job is to see patients, do H&Ps, get involved in patient care, write notes, etc. ---> like an actual intern.

Uh no, that would be a sub-I that you're thinking of. A third year's job is to see patients, do H&Ps and write notes (that should be critiqued by senior residents). Again, the hospital doesn't fall apart because a third year took a day off. If you do, then that says more about you than it does about them or the situation.

 

[DermViser]

Uh no, that would be a sub-I that you're thinking of. A third year's job is to see patients, do H&Ps and write notes (that should be critiqued by senior residents). Again, the hospital doesn't fall apart because a third year took a day off. If you do, then that says more about you than it does about them or the situation.

I didn't SAY the hospital falls apart. MS-3 is real clinical medicine not some basic science lecture on the complement cascade. Your job as an MS-3 is to perfect your H&P skills, learn to get a focused H&P, writing good notes, etc. It's called active learning.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

I didn't SAY the hospital falls apart. MS-3 is real clinical medicine not some basic science lecture on the complement cascade. Your job as an MS-3 is to perfect your H&P skills, learn to get a focused H&P, writing good notes, etc. It's called active learning.

Not a single person disagreed with that. Not one. Good lord, I should know better than to reply to a thread where you've made an appearance.

 

[DermViser]

Not a single person disagreed with that. Not one. Good lord, I should know better than to reply to a thread where you've made an appearance.

My point, which you missed, is you don't get a "sick" day without getting grief for it. Just like an intern or resident.

 

[KnuxNole]

My point, which you missed, is you don't get a "sick" day without getting grief for it. Just like an intern or resident.

The difference usually is, that the residents resent those who take sick days like candy...more work for us.

Med students are like "Dude whatever, it's a rotation, we don't matter! I wish I can take a sick day too, ****".

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Wrong. Their job is realize what the job entails and take part in patient care before they're thrown to the wolves as an intern. This isn't the basic science classroom.

DermViser always cracks me up. "Thrown to the wolves"...what is this bringing back bad memories of when you didn't work 8-5 five days a week with no call?

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

The difference usually is, that the residents resent those who take sick days like candy...more work for us.

Med students are like "Dude whatever, it's a rotation, we don't matter! I wish I can take a sick day too, ****".

Seriously, the only people who resent third years taking sick days are the jealous residents who wish they got a sick day too. It's not like you're a Sub-I, where your patients then get dumped on the interns who get to do everything for them that day. That's when people start becoming not happy.

 

[DermViser]

Seriously, the only people who resent third years taking sick days are the jealous residents who wish they got a sick day too. It's not like you're a Sub-I, where your patients then get dumped on the interns who get to do everything for them that day. That's when people start becoming not happy.

Not all med schools do 4th year Sub-Is.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Seriously, the only people who resent third years taking sick days are the jealous residents who wish they got a sick day too. It's not like you're a Sub-I, where your patients then get dumped on the interns who get to do everything for them that day. That's when people start becoming not happy.

To me, a major part of third year is learning the culture and expectations of a professional work environment.

Med students who say "hurr durr it doesn't matter if I don't show up it's not important" fundamentally don't get it.

 

[DermViser]

To me, a major part of third year is learning the cultural and expectations of a professional work environment.

Med students who say "hurr durr it doesn't matter if I don't show up it's not important" fundamentally don't get it.

BINGO. And they're the first ones to be shocked when they see their clinical evaluations and complain about not receiving Honors.

 

[DermViser]

DermViser always cracks me up. "Thrown to the wolves"...what is this bringing back bad memories of when you didn't work 8-5 five days a week with no call?

See my sentence: " thrown to the wolves as an intern". You're going to be doing the H&P, writing the orders, etc. Your upper level won't be doing that for you.

 

[Aabbccddd]

DermViser always cracks me up. "Thrown to the wolves"...what is this bringing back bad memories of when you didn't work 8-5 five days a week with no call?

Lol...he is pretty whiny.

 

[Aabbccddd]

We notice...but it doesn't exactly grind the hospital to a halt.

I don't really care if a med student is legitimately sick. And I've sent home students who looked miserable. But it doesn't pass the sniff test when someone calls in sick for a week and then shows up looking right as rain (or worse...tan)

Hey....maybe she had addison disease

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

My point, which you missed, is you don't get a "sick" day without getting grief for it. Just like an intern or resident.

Only because of people like you. Most of us don't care if a third year takes a sick day. Again, it's THEIR education and they're the ones paying to be there. If they need a sick day, so be it. If they end up blowing off a whole week, then that's reflected in their eval. But a sick day here and there, please get over yourself.

Not all med schools do 4th year Sub-Is.

Which ones don't?

 

[DermViser]

Which ones don't?

WashU for example: http://medadmissions.wustl.edu/Education/Curriculum/Pages/FourthYear.aspx

 

[Kahreek]

i shrug off a cold as a bad day, or bad week.

 

[tdram]

WashU for example: http://medadmissions.wustl.edu/Education/Curriculum/Pages/FourthYear.aspx

They do have several 'acting internships' in the list of courses.

 

[DermViser]

They do have several 'acting internships' in the list of courses.

But they're electives. They aren't requirements to graduate.

 

[styphon]

If you have a cold, tough it out. If you are have the flu STAY HOME, especially if you are working with neonatal or geriatrics!

 

[DermViser]

Lol...he is pretty whiny.

No one is whining. This is regarding simple expectations for an MS-3 clerkship, which aren't some volunteering experience. This isn't MS-1/MS-2 where the primary mode of learning is through didactic lectures that are videorecorded and podcasted to be viewed at your leisure and studying lecture notes/syllabi/textbooks. The time to skip and get it out of your system was during that time, not during MS-3, when nearly all the learning is active (save studying for the shelf which is only a standardization measure)

See SouthernIM's quote below:

To me, a major part of third year is learning the culture and expectations of a professional work environment. Med students who say "hurr durr it doesn't matter if I don't show up it's not important" fundamentally don't get it.

The common cold is not an excuse to miss a day. It's quite different if you're having systemic symptoms like the flu or profusely vomiting where clearly you won't be able to function on rounds. But if you think that a common cold is a good enough reason to miss a day of work (and yes, it's like a job), go ahead and then when your IM/OB-Gyn/General Surgery resident asks you why you missed the day before, tell them you had a cold. And if they give you a weird look - just tell them like above that you're a student, you're only here to learn, your job is not to make their lives easier (this one is optional to say) and that you're paying tuition. I'm sure they'll understand.