LMU-DCOM (DeBusk COM) Discussion thread Part 2 2007-2008

[Syncope82]

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What do you mean, does DCOM pay for those spots? They have suggested 3rd and 4th year rotations in place. If you want to go to other cities/hospitals when you are in your elective rotation months you can. I'm not sure I know what you mean about paying for the rotation spots....??

DCOM has to pay a certain amount of money per student at a rotation site to have an attending educate us in clinical medicine...the hospital's arn't taking us on for free

 

[ThePiratesse]

so, i had a question regarding the clinical rotations at DCOM. Does DCOM pay for those spots? I know at a bunch of other schools student have to secure their rotations. I'm looking at the rotation list for MS3 and MS4, but am not sure whether we are automatically placed into our rotations. thanks.

We don't have to worry about securing our spots for 3rd and 4th years.. Yay! We get a schedule with them all set up for us. 4th year we do electives that we set up ourselves, but that is so we can check out programs that we might be interested in for residency spots. I think Syncope is right.. pretty sure there is some compensation given to the hospitals where we will be for training us.

 

[prionsRbad]

Like Marthea said, my wife is in Chicago with work.....a long story and its late, so I will save that for another post. We see each other about once a month. Its rough, but we're doing fine. Thankfully I have great friends at school, so that helps. She was here for a few weeks before school finished and for the first week of the 2nd semester...but with tax season...she needs to be in Chicago. Accountants have it rough from January to April...ouch. But once tax season is over...she'll move down here since she's able to work from home for her company back in Chi-town, and probably go back once a month for a week to meet with clients.

Man, that's rough. She sounds like quite a woman! Yey for awesome classmates that keep your spirits up during the tough times! I'll be one of those in the Fall! I'll keep you occupied with Guitar Hero Championships, paint ball wars and other fun stuff! 🙂

 

[VolDoc83]

Man, that's rough. She sounds like quite a woman! Yey for awesome classmates that keep your spirits up during the tough times! I'll be one of those in the Fall! I'll keep you occupied with Guitar Hero Championships, paint ball wars and other fun stuff! 🙂

I'd be ready to throw down on some guitar hero 3 😀

 

[ThePiratesse]

I'd be ready to throw down on some guitar hero 3 😀

You know I'll be there too... and the paintball!

 

[runner898]

I think job wise it just depends on what he does for work. There is a bunch of engineering around Knoxville for instance, because of Oak Ridge. Its mostly civil and mechanical though. What does he do?

Restaurant management and entertainment management. He also does some contracting for a window company.

 

[Knockout Mice]

Man, that's rough. She sounds like quite a woman! Yey for awesome classmates that keep your spirits up during the tough times! I'll be one of those in the Fall! I'll keep you occupied with Guitar Hero Championships, paint ball wars and other fun stuff! 🙂

Oooohh I'm definately joining you guys, I'll bring my Wii 😀

Just curious, how much down time do the first yrs actually have?

 

[LauraDO]

Oooohh I'm definately joining you guys, I'll bring my Wii 😀

Just curious, how much down time do the first yrs actually have?

obviously way too much, have you seen how long this thread is?

 

[ThePiratesse]

obviously way too much, have you seen how long this thread is?

😛😛😛😛 I thought it was because our school is awesome.

 

[nascardoc]

ND, it's nice to know that someone else has a spouse staying so far away. My husband is considering staying behind in Missouri if I make it in there, as he has a great job here in Missouri and it wouldn't make much sense to leave it for just a couple of years, especially since he will be the one financing living situations and everything while I would be in school. We are still trying to decide, but does it work well for the two of you, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, what is the job market like around the area for spouses? When my sister and her husband moved to Ohio for his residency, the job market was terrible for my sister, so she didn't end up working. My husband and I couldn't afford that at this point in the game.

Obviously, if I could have her here everyday, I would chosse that every single time. Its OK for now, but it is getting old. I don't like coming home to an empty house and an empty bed. My advice to you would be to think very hard about the decision and see if there are ways to make it work. See if its possible for him to work from home, or something like that. Either way, think hard about the decision....it is a lot easier on paper than it is in reality. It works, but definitely not the best solution, IMO. But if it is something that you guys have to do, yiou can make it work. I understand the sacrifices that have to be made to make that kind of decision. We are STILL trying to sell our fricking condo in Chicago after 9 months and it would be difficult without my wife working with her current company. Fortunately, after tax season is over, she should be done here for awhile since she can work from home, which is amazing!!! Don't be afraid to PM me with any other questions.

Man, that's rough. She sounds like quite a woman! Yey for awesome classmates that keep your spirits up during the tough times! I'll be one of those in the Fall! I'll keep you occupied with Guitar Hero Championships, paint ball wars and other fun stuff! 🙂

She is....she's an amazing person and life would not be complete without her. And I can't tell you how thankful I am for the friends I've made at DCOM. I don't know if they now how much they mean and how much they do for me. They make school so much fun and it helps when I'm away from my wife. And when my wife is here, they embrace her and treat her the same way they treat me, and they're almost as excited to see her as I am. They always ask how she's doing and when she's coming back to TN. Like I tell everyone who interviews at DCOM...all of us there, including faculty (who always ask about my wife as well), are a big family.

And bring on GH.....I love that game. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, we had a GH party at one of the student's houses and we had an absolute blast. Now we just need to get that Rock Band game....that would be awesome too!!!

Oooohh I'm definately joining you guys, I'll bring my Wii 😀

Just curious, how much down time do the first yrs actually have?

The most time you have is after every test, and sometimes the weekends after a test (more so for 1st semester than 2nd semester, which is a completely different beast). You guys will have the ability to have fun and hang out, but its just not as often as in undergrad or as you'd like. There is a lot of work, but that just makes the play days so much better. Plus, when you have people around you that make school fun, studying is a lot easier.

And the Wii sounds like a lot of fun. I love the tennis and bowling games on there....so much fun. When we have another video game night at DCOM next year, you'll have to bring that. My wife wants one of those really bad....maybe we can get one once this year is done.

 

[Knockout Mice]

obviously way too much, have you seen how long this thread is?

29 pages and counting and this is Part 2 of the thread too. This has gotta be a record for SDN. Stop SDNing and go study!

 

[runner898]

ND, thank you so much for your input. It is nice to hear someone else doing that, though I feel sorry for you. I think it would be extremely tough for my husband and I, but if that is what we have to do, we can make it work. I get to bring our dog with me if we live apart, so that makes things a little easier for me...he is like our kid!

 

[nascardoc]

ND, thank you so much for your input. It is nice to hear someone else doing that, though I feel sorry for you. I think it would be extremely tough for my husband and I, but if that is what we have to do, we can make it work. I get to bring our dog with me if we live apart, so that makes things a little easier for me...he is like our kid!

You are very welcome. No need to feel sorry for us....its just what we need to do right now. Thats not what we're looking for (although your sentiments are appreciated 🙂) All of the spouses and significant others are making tremendous sacrifices, especially those with children. Med school is definitely something that your WHOLE FAMILY goes thru, not just the student. None of us get to see our families as much as we'd like, but everyone knew that going into it. Thankfully, this is something DCOM is very aware of and they make it a strong point when talking to us. They tell us all the time to remember to spend time with friends and family and to take a day off every once in awhile, especially those with families. So, our story isn't too much different than the other spouses except for the fact that we are 500 miles apart. So, to all the spouses/significant others/kids....


You're right tho....if you need to make it work, then you can do it. And the dog will make it easier too!!! 😀 One of the good things about med school is that you are so busy that you don't have a lot of time to dwell and think about things. I know that at the beginning of school, before my wife moved in with her parents and she was by herself at our condo, that it was a lot harder for her than now b/c she would get home from work by 6 and not have a whole bunch to do except think about and realize I was 500 miles away. While still hard, it was different for me b/c I didn't (and still don't, and thankfully she doesn't now that tax season is here) have that extra time to think about our situation.

I know there are other students at school who are doing the same type of thing, as well as one who will be in your class. It is definitely doable, plus, you will have great people surrounding you at DCOM!!!! 😀

 

[Knockout Mice]

You are very welcome. No need to feel sorry for us....its just what we need to do right now. Thats not what we're looking for (although your sentiments are appreciated 🙂) All of the spouses and significant others are making tremendous sacrifices, especially those with children. Med school is definitely something that your WHOLE FAMILY goes thru, not just the student. None of us get to see our families as much as we'd like, but everyone knew that going into it. Thankfully, this is something DCOM is very aware of and they make it a strong point when talking to us. They tell us all the time to remember to spend time with friends and family and to take a day off every once in awhile, especially those with families. So, our story isn't too much different than the other spouses except for the fact that we are 500 miles apart. So, to all the spouses/significant others/kids....

Now thats true love! Sounds tough but you guys still have it nice! Happy V-day all!

 

[seoulsister]

I know there are other students at school who are doing the same type of thing, as well as one who will be in your class. It is definitely doable, plus, you will have great people surrounding you at DCOM!!!! 😀

It's comforting to know there are others in a similar situation. My boyfriend (whom I will one day marry) will be in Korea until later in the fall, but his contract could extend into the summer of 2009, and since he's Canadian he may return to Canada at that point for school. We're by no means excited about the idea of spending so much time apart, but we'll make it work. I was home for 5 weeks earlier this year to take care of interviews and such and it went as well as could be expected. Yet, I still worry about it because I know I'll be super busy when school starts and when I was home before I really didn't have that much going on so we could talk a lot (which gets a little tricky with a 15 hour time difference). Anyway, the situation may not be ideal it wasn't going to be ideal at ANY school and after interviewing at DCOM there was in my mind no other place for me to be as it was very apparent they all look out for and support each other.

 

[hoss22]

Here is a link to the La Follette newspaper for anybody like me that's planning to live in La Follette when school starts. Their classified section has a ton of realty listings (pay no mind to the meth dealer being drug across the ground by cops 😉 )

http://www.lafollettepress.com/LaFollette_Press.html

 

[MikeMD]

I'm overnighting my deposit today, I think. Tomorrow will be twoo weeks since dr. Stowers call!

 

[hoss22]

I'm overnighting my deposit today, I think. Tomorrow will be twoo weeks since dr. Stowers call!

Good Decision MikeDO!!

 

[Tachymeter]

Well it looks like I will not be going to LMU-DCOM. My brother is on hold at the Tennessee Optometry school and I don't want to hold a spot just so I can wait and see if he gets in, that wouldn't be fair. So good luck everyone.👍

 

[Syncope82]

Well it looks like I will not be going to LMU-DCOM. My brother is on hold at the Tennessee Optometry school and I don't want to hold a spot just so I can wait and see if he gets in, that wouldn't be fair. So good luck everyone.👍

That's very sincere of you...no need to hold a spot if you do not intend on matriculating

 

[hoss22]

Has anyone heard about a combined Family/Emergency Medicine residency? These are the 2 fields that I'm primarily interested in, and I just saw that there are residency positions available that combine both of them. Anyone heard of it? What is the point of it? Are you able to work in a family practice during the week and an emergency room on the weekends or something (assuming you get the accreditation for both and you love medicine so much that you never want to go home).

Just curious.

 

[prionsRbad]

I'm overnighting my deposit today, I think. Tomorrow will be twoo weeks since dr. Stowers call!

I think it's a two week deadline from when you receive your acceptance letter in the mail, so you might have a few more days. 🙂

 

[missdochopeful]

So, when I was in Tennessee for my interview, I swear I saw a swastika on the side of a barn 😱 Is everyone a Nazi there???

No, just kidding

What, you didn't want to do that again?


My favorite LaFollete Press posting was the "No pets. No drugs." ad.

 

[MikeMD]

I think it's a two week deadline from when you receive your acceptance letter in the mail, so you might have a few more days. 🙂

i thought someone said its actually 2 weeks from the call? Screw it, i'm gonna call to double check haha.

 

[Syncope82]

i thought someone said its actually 2 weeks from the call? Screw it, i'm gonna call to double check haha.

I would definitily do that.....not somethign to mess around with or take guesses at

 

[missdochopeful]

i thought someone said its actually 2 weeks from the call? Screw it, i'm gonna call to double check haha.

Well if it's going to cost you a bunch to overnight it then definitely call. All I know is that the email I received from Paul Carney telling me the due date of my deposit was exactly 2 weeks from the call I received. I didn't receive my actual letter until a week after the call from Dr. Stowers. So although they SAY it's supposed to be 2 weeks from the letter, I would hate for you to lose your spot on a technicality.

 

[MikeMD]

ok wohoo have till wednesday. Now I can make sure I have the funds 😉

 

[prionsRbad]

ok wohoo have till wednesday. Now I can make sure I have the funds 😉

Awesome, that's what I thought. Have you joined the facebook group?

 

[andrewmlt]

Has anyone heard about a combined Family/Emergency Medicine residency? These are the 2 fields that I'm primarily interested in, and I just saw that there are residency positions available that combine both of them. Anyone heard of it? What is the point of it? Are you able to work in a family practice during the week and an emergency room on the weekends or something (assuming you get the accreditation for both and you love medicine so much that you never want to go home).

Just curious.

I have worked in the medical field now for over six years, so I may can help. From what I understand, if you specialize in either family or emergency medicine, you are able to work in either. At the hospital which I am employed, we have numerous doctors who work at family practice during the day and at the ER at nights or on weekends. They are all family docs by name. We also have a few family docs who left the practice to work entirely in the ER. I do not know the specifics of how this works, but it seems they may be combining the two specialties since a person is actually licensed to work in either field.

 

[Lamont]

You cant just show up at an ER if you are an FP. You cant just show up at an FP office if you are an ER doc. there are several steps (as in, an extra year) to attaining the ability to work in an ER as a family doc through the dual residency. its more than 'oh youre a doctor, here, fix people!' in the ER. im pretty sure a level 1 ER will say 'thanks for stopping by' and boot you if you are just some random FP that isnt adequately trained in emergency medicine. now if you are board cert'd, come on in. hope this clears that one up before we get hordes of FP's running to ER's to moonlight and make that dinero. im so glad i dont have a test monday : D

 

[pamolive]

I have worked in the medical field now for over six years, so I may can help. From what I understand, if you specialize in either family or emergency medicine, you are able to work in either. At the hospital which I am employed, we have numerous doctors who work at family practice during the day and at the ER at nights or on weekends. They are all family docs by name. We also have a few family docs who left the practice to work entirely in the ER. I do not know the specifics of how this works, but it seems they may be combining the two specialties since a person is actually licensed to work in either field.

What size hospital is it? In my hometown there's a really small hospital, and all the attendings just do the ER work. I'm not sure theres an actual ER physician that works there.

 

[hoss22]

What size hospital is it? In my hometown there's a really small hospital, and all the attendings just do the ER work. I'm not sure theres an actual ER physician that works there.

I found a little more info yesterday after I posted this...but I'm still not quite sure about everything. Here is a summary of what I found:

Usually only small rural hospitals allow FPs to practice in the ER, and this is out of necessity. Since there are not enough EMs to fully staff the ER, they are forced to allow others to do so and will most likely continue the trend until more EMs are available.

If you do your residency in FP, there is supposedly an EM fellowship somewhere here in TN (the post I read didn't say where...it just said "In Tennessee"). Doing a fellowship in EM will make it more likely that an ER will hire you, but the preference is still for a BC EM physician.

So, I assume that doing a combined residency will prepare you for both board certifications and will allow you to practice as an ER doc as well as a family practitioner. I am interested because one possible plan I have for the future is to go to work at a hospital after residency, but then open my own practice after a couple of years. Working in the ER is appealing because as I understand it, it is more like a normal job: you work your set hours, then you go home to your family. You don't have to worry about weekend calls from your pain management patients whose oxy has been stolen over the weekend by their son's girlfriend's brother.

 

[hoss22]

Also, here is a link and a pdf file for anyone else that is interested:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-120482.html

Turns out there are hardly any residencies available. I don't know how competitive the spots are, but I would image with such a small availability they are highly competitive

 

[cassrae]

Also, here is a link and a pdf file for anyone else that is interested:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-120482.html

Turns out there are hardly any residencies available. I don't know how competitive the spots are, but I would image with such a small availability they are highly competitive

I know in my hometown in WI, which is not rural by any means, it has 60,000 people, they have a family practice residency program, but as part of that the residents do a lot of time in the ER, as well as everywhere else. I don't know if this is because they are understaffed in the ER or what, but then there have been several of them who have gone out and opened up their own practices in communities around the city after they were done with their residency. But I thought that ER residency was only an additional year after family practice, so it could be beneficial to do that even if you want to do family practice, then you could moonlight in the ER too.

 

[hoss22]

I know in my hometown in WI, which is not rural by any means, it has 60,000 people, they have a family practice residency program, but as part of that the residents do a lot of time in the ER, as well as everywhere else. I don't know if this is because they are understaffed in the ER or what, but then there have been several of them who have gone out and opened up their own practices in communities around the city after they were done with their residency. But I thought that ER residency was only an additional year after family practice, so it could be beneficial to do that even if you want to do family practice, then you could moonlight in the ER too.

That's probably the thing that I saw that said there is a 1 year EM fellowship available after FP residency

 

[nascardoc]

Cassrae,

Don't know if anyone ever told you before, but you look a lot like the lady from 24, Michelle Dessler, the one who was married to Tony.

 

[Marthea007]

Cassrae,

Don't know if anyone ever told you before, but you look a lot like the lady from 24, Michelle Dessler, the one who was married to Tony.

Way to be off topic...

Anyways... If I was looking for some shenanigans in Knoxville, where would I go?

 

[Syncope82]

Cassrae,

Don't know if anyone ever told you before, but you look a lot like the lady from 24, Michelle Dessler, the one who was married to Tony.

Michelle Almaeda!! ..lol..she does look like her

btw..awesome show..and im really upset that it won't be back on until 2009 🙁

 

[hoss22]

Way to be off topic...

Anyways... If I was looking for some shenanigans in Knoxville, where would I go?

What sort of shenanigans are you looking for? Are you going alone or with a group? Do you like to drink? Do you like to dance? What comes to mind when you think of line dancing to rap music? Do you like low key or super-crowded? Do you like live music? If so, what genre of live music?

I'll try to give you some recommendations based upon answers to any of those above questions.

 

[Marthea007]

What sort of shenanigans are you looking for? Are you going alone or with a group? Do you like to drink? Do you like to dance? What comes to mind when you think of line dancing to rap music? Do you like low key or super-crowded? Do you like live music? If so, what genre of live music?

I'll try to give you some recommendations based upon answers to any of those above questions.

1. Any
2. Group maybe? At least 2.
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Hilarity and I don't line dance
6. More low key
7. Yes
8. All

 

[cassrae]

Michelle Almada!! ..lol..she does look like her

btw..awesome show..and im really upset that it won't be back on until 2009 🙁

haha thanks.. no one's ever told me that..
and what?!?! not until 2009? such a bummer...

 

[hoss22]

1. Any
2. Group maybe? At least 2.
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Hilarity and I don't line dance
6. More low key
7. Yes
8. All

Hmm...Let's see here then.

Definitely stay away from the Cotton Eyed Joe. They do some free dancing late at night, but most of the night it's line dancing (which I despise by the way). I would probably stay away from the Electric Cowboy as well. They do much less line-dancing, but it's still there, and it's usually very crowded on weekends and there's nowhere to sit if you're just looking to chill low-key.

Bar Knoxville is an option if you're looking to dance sans line-dancing. Still a little hard to be low-key here though. It is on the strip where the UT campus is.

I highly recommend Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria. They have something like over 200 beers on tap. They have live music with no cover charge, and the pizza is AWESOME. It is downtown in the old city, so it's very close to lots of other bars and hang outs. I was going to say it was right across from Tonic, Fiction, and Blue Cats, but I just saw a news article saying they're all closed down for renovation.

I've never been to the Red Iguana (downtown old city), but I've heard it's pretty popular. There is also a comedy place off of Cedar Bluff in Knoxville that's supposed to be really fun to go to, but I haven't been there either.

I recommend either hitting the old city or campus. You should find plenty to do in either place.

 

[Syncope82]

haha thanks.. no one's ever told me that..
and what?!?! not until 2009? such a bummer...

well..maybe it's just the avator pic

yep..the writers strike messed it all up

 

[HippieChick]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

 

[prionsRbad]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

Congrats on the interview! At my interview there was a guy who brought his Mom and another girl who brought her fiancé. Personally, I thought it was a little weird for significant others and parents to be in the room with us while we were going through the interview orientation, but that's just me. Another girl who I interviewed with said she brought her boyfriend along, but he was just hanging out at the hotel until she was done.

Good luck with the interview! Just relax and be yourself . . . the interview is very laid back! Let us know how it goes when you get back!

 

[HopefulDoc1984]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

I think that it would be fine to bring a significant other with you to tenn. but I dont think its a great idea to have them with you during the interview day. I think this is a day to show what you have accomplished on your own away from your parents. IMO it sends the wrong message to bring someone with you but thats just me.

 

[DrTitanium]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

Congratulations and good luck on the interview!! 👍

My wife joined me for the interview day and enjoyed meeting some of the significant others. Just relax and be yourself, you will do just fine. If I'm around (I have been looking at houses in the area) I'll drop by. You will meet Bob later in the day. He drives the interviewees around after the interviews to see the campus and the housing. He is a great guy and a wonderful resource for questions you may have about the area.

Be well

 

[t-funk]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

I brought my 2 kids and SO to TN but they just explored the town during my interview. SOs were brought to 2 of my interviews and 2 or 3 people brought their parents to my KCOM interview. (They were all doctors though and I think they were bribing people. JK) I think it is generally an OK thing to do. Good luck on your interview.

 

[Lamborghini1315]

Yay, my interview is this Tuesday and Im so excited! Im about to head out to Sacramento, CA right now and then I fly out to TN tomorrow morning, I've never been so I cant wait to check it out. Im a little scared to death because this is my first interview, but I've prepared so much so Im sure I will do fine. Im bringing my mom with me and Im wondering if anyone else brought a friend or family member? I think I will be a little embarassed if Im the only one, but what the heck! Thanks for all the god advice!
Good luck to me!

During my interview..couple of guys had their rents with em, its a good thing knowing that you are coming all the way from CA.

 

[rockdascrubs786]

so, what is the grading policy at DCOM? most med schools have High Pass, Pass and Fail system. Is this the case at DCOM?