M4 Schedule Anesthesia

[Scrub MD]

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So I am scheduling my 4th year schedule and trying to decide between EM and Anesthesia. My plan for 4th year was to take all the rotations I never got a chance to 3rd year (path, cards, rads, derm, etc) and deciding early between EM and Anesthesia. I was wondering how important it is to take ICU, CCU and IM?

 

[psychbender]

So I am scheduling my 4th year schedule and trying to decide between EM and Anesthesia. My plan for 4th year was to take all the rotations I never got a chance to 3rd year (path, cards, rads, derm, etc) and deciding early between EM and Anesthesia. I was wondering how important it is to take ICU, CCU and IM?

Regardless of what you settle on doing, unit months are always important as an MS4, as you will likely have to spend time in the units later on in your training (and the unit rocks). I don't think doing another month of IM would be all that necessary, seeing as how you've already done it as an MS3, and you will get enough medicine doing rotations such as Cards, Pulm, etc.

 

[DO4lifer]

there's no EM rotation required?

i would definitely do one. its a good experience, and a chance to get hands dirty doing some procedures.

 

[Scrub MD]

there's no EM rotation required?

i would definitely do one. its a good experience, and a chance to get hands dirty doing some procedures.

I did an EM rotation 3rd year and will do Anesthesia and EM as my 1st 2 rotations 4th year. I had some patients in the ICU during surgery and FM, but haven't heard what an ICU rotation is like day to day. I was going to take ICU later on to be more proficient my intern year (and residency/anesthesia)

 

[Southpaw]

I did an EM rotation 3rd year and will do Anesthesia and EM as my 1st 2 rotations 4th year. I had some patients in the ICU during surgery and FM, but haven't heard what an ICU rotation is like day to day. I was going to take ICU later on to be more proficient my intern year (and residency/anesthesia)

You'll wear out towards the end of 4th year. I personally wouldn't want an ICU rotation later than January, and even that's stretching it. But you're right, I imagine it'd prepare you well for what's to come. Best of luck with your decision.

I did about 2 months this year of ICU. Looking back, I know I'd be woefully prepared for ICU stepping in an an intern. Our training allows us to catch on quickly, but still, I'm glad I rotated in the ICU.

 

[DO4lifer]

i did two months of ICU and loved it. it was hard work but rewarding and you learn tons.

i would spread out your rotations so you dont do back-to-back ICU if you can.

 

[Scrub MD]

i did two months of ICU and loved it. it was hard work but rewarding and you learn tons.
i would spread out your rotations so you dont do back-to-back ICU if you can.

I did about 2 months this year of ICU. Looking back, I know I'd be woefully prepared for ICU stepping in an an intern. Our training allows us to catch on quickly, but still, I'm glad I rotated in the ICU.

Thanks for the help, you guys rock. After a light Nov/Dec/Jan I think I am going to schedule pain management, cards and ICU. Our elective handbook lists ICU as 30-40 hours a week, can that be right?

 

[psychbender]

Thanks for the help, you guys rock. After a light Nov/Dec/Jan I think I am going to schedule pain management, cards and ICU. Our elective handbook lists ICU as 30-40 hours a week, can that be right?

30-40 hours a week for ICU? Unless you're just there for AM rounds, and take no call, I think that's more than a bit low for a unit month. Try 60-80+ for most ICU months. My MICU rotation was Q3 call, but on non-call days, you left after noon conference. So, the net result was that you had alternating 30-hour and 7-hour shifts, with 1-in-7 off. For SICU, it was just 13-14 hour days, with Q7 call, and 1-in-7 off. Also, do you really want to take an ICU month at the end of 4th year? While it may get you ready for intern year, I'd think you might be more than a little burned out, so wouldn't advise a unit month any later than February, unless you really enjoy the ICU.