how do you feel about your program?

[tatabox80]

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Hey there,
I know this is a little premature, but do any of you feel like you "fit in" at your program? I only get to spend time with my program one afternoon a week and the rest of the time I'm at an outside hospital. For some reason though, I just don't get the feeling like I'm a part of my program...I still feel like an outsider. Everyone else in my intern class seems to fit in...maybe I'm just paranoid, but it's a little annoying that I feel like an outsider at the hospital I'm rotating at currently as well as my own program. Did any of you feel out of place at your current program, but then later grew to love it?

 

[sophiejane]

Hey there,
I know this is a little premature, but do any of you feel like you "fit in" at your program? I only get to spend time with my program one afternoon a week and the rest of the time I'm at an outside hospital. For some reason though, I just don't get the feeling like I'm a part of my program...I still feel like an outsider. Everyone else in my intern class seems to fit in...maybe I'm just paranoid, but it's a little annoying that I feel like an outsider at the hospital I'm rotating at currently as well as my own program. Did any of you feel out of place at your current program, but then later grew to love it?

I'm sure that's hard being at an outside hospital. We only have two hospitals, and we are the only residents at both, so that problem is avoided here, I guess. But I do feel like we are all kind of spread out and out of touch right now. I think it's just an adjustment. A really big adjustment.

You really need some support within the program and your class...try to find that if you can. We had a really long orientation with lots of time for bonding--I think that helped.

Try to go to any social things that people in your class or program plan, even if you feel like an outsider. I'm sure you'll find people you relate to in time.

 

[tatabox80]

I'm sure that's hard being at an outside hospital. We only have two hospitals, and we are the only residents at both, so that problem is avoided here, I guess. But I do feel like we are all kind of spread out and out of touch right now. I think it's just an adjustment. A really big adjustment.

You really need some support within the program and your class...try to find that if you can. We had a really long orientation with lots of time for bonding--I think that helped.

Try to go to any social things that people in your class or program plan, even if you feel like an outsider. I'm sure you'll find people you relate to in time.

Yeah, we only had one day of orientation. I also don't feel that comfortable with venting my frustrations while I'm at my "home base" I had an issue where on my first call (which was 4 days into residency) I had a senior resident who was very hands off. I felt concerned that i didn't have enough supervision, although things went ok. I raised this concern, only to ask if this was something to expect on a regular basis, or if my senior was just being unhelpful. Some of the faculty at our program gave us a few minutes to talk about things that we had issues with, personality issues, patient issues, family issues, etc. So I felt the need to share my concern. I think they might have taken it the wrong way because their response was basically "it's your responsibility to ensure that patient care isn't compromised and you needed to talk to that resident and tell him to shape up"...or something along those lines. Yeah right...I understand patient care comes first, but give me a break.

 

[deleted87716]

My first rotation as an intern was inpatient peds at another hospital, so I know what you mean by "disconnected" when everyone else is getting to know each other. Don't worry, though...you'll catch up next month. 🙂

 

[sophiejane]

their response was basically "it's your responsibility to ensure that patient care isn't compromised and you needed to talk to that resident and tell him to shape up"...or something along those lines. Yeah right...I understand patient care comes first, but give me a break.

That's just not right. You should not have to be in that position this early on. Have you tried talking to your chief resident? Our chiefs made it clear that we should bring issues similar to the one you describe to them first.

Regardless, remember that your senior is ultimately responsible for that patient. You are the learner. They are supposed to be the teacher.

Hang in there.

 

[tatabox80]

That's just not right. You should not have to be in that position this early on. Have you tried talking to your chief resident? Our chiefs made it clear that we should bring issues similar to the one you describe to them first.

Regardless, remember that your senior is ultimately responsible for that patient. You are the learner. They are supposed to be the teacher.

Hang in there.

I agree, but I guess it's their job to give me the "party line" about patient care being first. I actually love the actual work I'm doing at the peds hospital. I actually feel like I'm helping people, something I had not felt during most of medical school. I actually almost went into pediatrics...but felt like fm was a better fit. Plus having a teensy bit of respect is nice, (as opposed to being treated like pondscum). Other than my first call being really scary (due to lack of back up) and my senior being on my case all the time I've really liked other aspects of the rotation. It's improved a lot since the beginning. I just wish I felt like I could go back to my own program and feel at home...oh well, I guess it will just take some time.

 

[oregonbigc]

Sorry to hear those stories, kind of unforrunate that programs aren't fully supporting their residents the way that they could be. My fellow residents and I have had a great experience so far, so there is hope out there. We have a senior res back up everynight during first year who is in hospital with us. call is 1/8, and a 2 week paid orientation didn't hurt. Don't get your heads down future residents.

 

[Frijolero]

With that call schedule I'm gonna guess you're at the rural OHSU program. I liked the program and the residents I met at the conference, but damn, it seems like the Portland kids really work their balls off. Q3 is so 90's....

 

[oregonbigc]

went to medical school there, but I am at a great unopposed program in central florida, Halifax, in daytona beach, you should check it out. Extremely solid program, great salary, amazing benefits, and very livable schedule and call schedule.

http://www.halifaxfprp.org/

 

[Frijolero]

You guys had a monstrous showing. I don't think I saw any other program that brought as many residents. I spoke with the PD for a while, he was a likeable dude and very pro-active about bringing students to the booth. "Thinking about Florida for residency?".....uhh...sure, why not. Info pamphlet is slick too, if I apply in FL yours will be the spot.