How to evaluate clinical rotations?

[illegallysmooth]

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Hello everyone.

I hear a lot of discussion on clinical rotations and the importance of years 3 and 4 in choosing a medical school. However, how should we judge the clinical rotations of any given school? What should we look for? Big hospitals? Freedom?

Thanks.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Hello everyone.

I hear a lot of discussion on clinical rotations and the importance of years 3 and 4 in choosing a medical school. However, how should we judge the clinical rotations of any given school? What should we look for? Big hospitals? Freedom?

Thanks.

Excellent question. In my narrow opinion,this is the most important aspect when choosing a DO school. Frankly, it's difficult for pre-meds to judge clinical education. We really don't know what to look for yet (ie big names, lots of electives, etc), so it's hard to make rash decisions. Bth7 put up a nice post a while ago, it gets thrown around a lot, regarding some important questions to ask about 3/4 years. If someone finds it, and posts it, check that out. Personally, I'd check out/do the following:

1. How old is the school? This is vague, but usually the older schools have more solid rotations that the newer ones.
2. Are there any big red flags on SDN? IE - people ranting in the pros/cons thread, multiple threads where people say they are up shizzle creek without a paddle, etc (do some SDN searches 'Xcom clincals, rotations' etc).
3. Do you have to travel for rotations? Could be a positive or negative, however the latter seems to be more frequent.
4. Are your core rotations scheduled or do you have to do it? I've heard multiple people complaining about having to schedule their own core.
5. Are they hospital based or preceptor based?
6. Does the school provide a hospital list?
7. HOW MANY spots are there per rotation in that hospital list?
8. Are there any awkward absences in the 3/4 year core? IE - not required to rotate in a certain common field? If so, why?
9. How much are preceptors/hospitals compensated for students?
10. How are rotations assigned? Lottery? Ranking? Is travel involved? Is it a choice, etc??
11. Get in contact with 3/4 years at the school. They can give you great info
12. Get in contact with the dean of clinical education for any further questions.
13. Try not to listen too intently to any one opinion, get a collection, and remember where bias can come from.
14. Limits/rules on elective/audition rotations (I've heard mixed opinions on how important this is)
15. Are there residency programs associated with the rotation sites?


Well, sorry it's so random and scattered, I was just writing stuff I've done/researched as I thought of it. Should give you a good place to start, hopefully others will give advice too.

 

[J1515]

Hello everyone.

I hear a lot of discussion on clinical rotations and the importance of years 3 and 4 in choosing a medical school. However, how should we judge the clinical rotations of any given school? What should we look for? Big hospitals? Freedom?

Thanks.

The answer is actually simple. Ask 3rd and 4th year students who have rotated at the hospitals. Do not listen to anyone who says "I have heard..." If they say they didn't like it, ask why. If their response was that they "worked students too hard, long days, too many lectures," then that's a place you want to be. If their response was something subjective like "I wasn't treated fairly" or "They just didn't like me" then disregard their opinion and ask someone else. While a large hospital and having a residency program is good for connections and letters, it says nothing about the educational experience you will receive there.

Oh and lastly, there is nothing wrong with having to schedule your own core rotations. People are just whiny and lazy and don't want to do the footwork. I wish we had that option when I was a 3rd year instead of having to use only school affiliated hospitals.

 

[illegallysmooth]

The answer is actually simple. Ask 3rd and 4th year students who have rotated at the hospitals. Do not listen to anyone who says "I have heard..." If they say they didn't like it, ask why. If their response was that they "worked students too hard, long days, too many lectures," then that's a place you want to be. If their response was something subjective like "I wasn't treated fairly" or "They just didn't like me" then disregard their opinion and ask someone else. While a large hospital and having a residency program is good for connections and letters, it says nothing about the educational experience you will receive there.

Oh and lastly, there is nothing wrong with having to schedule your own core rotations. People are just whiny and lazy and don't want to do the footwork. I wish we had that option when I was a 3rd year instead of having to use only school affiliated hospitals.

I was surprised people complained about having to schedule your own rotations - it seems like it would be favorable. The one thing I am a little concerned with is the need to pick up and move every 4 weeks to go to the "good" rotations. I don't have a trust fund, and it seems I would be paying double rent, if not more, plus travel costs for the away rotations.

 

[The Poet Sings]

do some places provide housing so you aren't paying double rent while away?

 

[TeamZissou]

do some places provide housing so you aren't paying double rent while away?

Some do but it's usually hospital dependent and you can usually find the information on that hospitals website in the area for med students/education/ residency sections.

 

[The Poet Sings]

Some do but it's usually hospital dependent and you can usually find the information on that hospitals website in the area for med students/education/ residency sections.

ok thanks

 

[doggydog1]

Excellent question. In my narrow opinion,this is the most important aspect when choosing a DO school. Frankly, it's difficult for pre-meds to judge clinical education. We really don't know what to look for yet (ie big names, lots of electives, etc), so it's hard to make rash decisions. Bth7 put up a nice post a while ago, it gets thrown around a lot, regarding some important questions to ask about 3/4 years. If someone finds it, and posts it, check that out. Personally, I'd check out/do the following:

1. How old is the school? This is vague, but usually the older schools have more solid rotations that the newer ones.
2. Are there any big red flags on SDN? IE - people ranting in the pros/cons thread, multiple threads where people say they are up shizzle creek without a paddle, etc (do some SDN searches 'Xcom clincals, rotations' etc).
3. Do you have to travel for rotations? Could be a positive or negative, however the latter seems to be more frequent.
4. Are your core rotations scheduled or do you have to do it? I've heard multiple people complaining about having to schedule their own core.
5. Are they hospital based or preceptor based?
6. Does the school provide a hospital list?
7. HOW MANY spots are there per rotation in that hospital list?
8. Are there any awkward absences in the 3/4 year core? IE - not required to rotate in a certain common field? If so, why?
9. How much are preceptors/hospitals compensated for students?
10. How are rotations assigned? Lottery? Ranking? Is travel involved? Is it a choice, etc??
11. Get in contact with 3/4 years at the school. They can give you great info
12. Get in contact with the dean of clinical education for any further questions.
13. Try not to listen too intently to any one opinion, get a collection, and remember where bias can come from.
14. Limits/rules on elective/audition rotations (I've heard mixed opinions on how important this is)
15. Are there residency programs associated with the rotation sites?


Well, sorry it's so random and scattered, I was just writing stuff I've done/researched as I thought of it. Should give you a good place to start, hopefully others will give advice too.

Would any students from CCOM be able to comment on some of the questions addressed above for some of the rotation sites that CCOM has please?