How important

[me454555]

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A Q to the attendings out there, and maybe some CA3s

How important are transplant and trauma to a program? I've interviewed in a bunch of different programs and some have both and some have none. The ones that have no transplant are quick to state that you won't do these types of cases in PP unless you're fellowship trained. And once your fellowship trained, you'll get the numbers you need anyway. The ones that don't see trauma all say that you see "trauma like cases" whatever that means. I guess getting called down to the OR to patch up a rebleed is equivalant to gsw's. How important are these factors to a programs training? What other things that you didn't think were important when interviewing do you now wish you looked for?

 

[Trisomy13]

my favorite quote from the interview trail regarding trauma:

"We don't have trauma here, well.. unless you count the Gyn-Onc service."

 

[michigangirl]

I think trauma is pretty important to a program....as is transplant, not so much because you'll be doing lots of these cases in private practice, but you really do learn a lot of fundamentals through these cases. With trauma, especially the level 1's that just roll into the or with no warning, you get to learn seat of your pants anesthesia with a little umbrella over your head (attending and/or senior resident), and of course you'll have times when you'll do seat of your pants anesthesia during your career in any setting.

hope this helps. peace.

 

[bubalus]

I don't see lots of penetrating trauma at my program, but I talked to my buddy who does. He thinks it is overrated. Granted, he may just be tired of getting more than he wants or needs, but he didn't seem to think it was all that critical. Diversity of cases is important, but I don't think trauma/transplants would be a deciding factor in my rank list. My criteria are not going to be your criteria, and that's perfectly fine. I'm not saying that you don't learn valuable lessons in trauma/transplants, but we've got some bad ass attendings who have never done a liver. Maybe some of the private practice guys will chime in and give their opinions.

 

[militarymd]

only if you want to do it for a living.

 

[The_Sensei]

Unneccessary.

 

[johankriek]

i did a bunch of kidney transplants as a resident.. a whole lot of trauma... and not a single liver transplant...


there are only a handful of centers that do livers...

kidneys arent that complicated... aline central line( to measure cvp and maintain for adequate uop when kidney goes in.. maintain map for kidney perfusion.. give whatever anti rejection medicine needed as per the surgeon, make sure pre op patient is dialized and fluid balance and electrolytes are ok

trauma: trauma centers are typically disgusting places like where i trained... so it wasnt cush and nice... plus you DO get to do a lot of trauma like cases if you are at a high powered place.. for instance the cleveland clinic does not have trauma.. you would be hard pressed to find a place with better clinical material then the clinic..