MCW Class of 2010, Part 3

[45408]

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I am rapidly seeing just why you guys disliked second year so much more than first year. Medical ethics? Psych? CER? Micro lab......

I almost miss MIM and PBL. One of the weeks of medical ethics has readings assigned from FIVE different books. Do I even need to bother?

 

[Xandie]

You referring to Dennis, Ash? I love that kid.

 

[Ashers]

I am rapidly seeing just why you guys disliked second year so much more than first year. Medical ethics? Psych? CER? Micro lab......

I almost miss MIM and PBL. One of the weeks of medical ethics has readings assigned from FIVE different books. Do I even need to bother?

M2 year was way better than M1 year. Just not touchy feely Tuesdays or CER. Micro lab was great. Path was annoying.

You referring to Dennis, Ash? I love that kid.

Yes I am. He's much happier now teaching. He took step 3, so he's all lisenced though.

 

[DoctorFunk]

I am rapidly seeing just why you guys disliked second year so much more than first year. Medical ethics? Psych? CER? Micro lab......

I almost miss MIM and PBL. One of the weeks of medical ethics has readings assigned from FIVE different books. Do I even need to bother?

M2 year truly blew goats, although it got a little better second semester when all the mandatory wastes of time were finished. As far as ethics readings, don't bother. It might require you to be a little vague in small group when discussing the readings, but you can usually manage and it certainly won't hurt you on the exam.

 

[45408]

M2 year truly blew goats, although it got a little better second semester when all the mandatory wastes of time were finished. As far as ethics readings, don't bother. It might require you to be a little vague in small group when discussing the readings, but you can usually manage and it certainly won't hurt you on the exam.

What kind of things are on the exam?

 

[45408]

M2 year was way better than M1 year. Just not touchy feely Tuesdays or CER. Micro lab was great. Path was annoying.

I did research in a micro lab. Hopefully my technique will aid me...

 

[DoctorFunk]

What kind of things are on the exam?

Mostly just questions making sure you know the definitions for the ethical terminology they talk about in lecture, as well as making sure you know the laws that we have to follow. Pretty sure I studied for the exam for one day reading the co-ops and the little green ethical handbook they recommend, and I did just fine. That's really about all you need.

 

[Agent Splat]

I did research in a micro lab. Hopefully my technique will aid me...

there's really no skill needed...it's all very relaxed and sorta fun if you just cruise through the boring stuff.

 

[Agent Splat]

Mostly just questions making sure you know the definitions for the ethical terminology they talk about in lecture, as well as making sure you know the laws that we have to follow. Pretty sure I studied for the exam for one day reading the co-ops and the little green ethical handbook they recommend, and I did just fine. That's really about all you need.

there was also a series of questions based on a guy that just got "bad news" and his course of cancer over a couple months. pretty obvious if you paid attention on the right way to give bad news, and if you have half a bit of sense on how to actually talk to people.

 

[45408]

there's really no skill needed...it's all very relaxed and sorta fun if you just cruise through the boring stuff.

I guess my skills won't do me anything beyond critiquing the Mythbusters sterile technique on their bacteria-related episodes.

You've got a Facebook message, sir.

 

[Ashers]

there was also a series of questions based on a guy that just got "bad news" and his course of cancer over a couple months. pretty obvious if you paid attention on the right way to give bad news, and if you have half a bit of sense on how to actually talk to people.

There were also questions in extreme detail about some of the stupid verghese story readings. if you hadn't read the crap, you didn't know the answer. (i'm not bitter.)

 

[akpete]

I didn't read anything for ethics. Went over the coops quickly before the exam. I think I got like an 87 or something on the test. I really didn't try too hard. I figured the readings weren't worth my time.

Also, my small group didn't talk about the readings whatsoever.

And I really liked micro lab. It was fun. It's just that you know you've got other crap to do than have fun with bacteria.

 

[45408]

hmm, I'm two computers down from Horashe. I think I might ask him how the MCAT went.

 

[samenewme]

Robbins is killing me.

I know Kumar talked about Robbins' cute little dry jokes in the infomercial lecture, but if the first chapter and a half are any indication, it seems our new author has successfully edited them all out. I could really use a clotting and inflammation joke right now.

Is Basic Path any better of a read? I'm just not a wordy textbook person, and yet I've found pre-reading very helpful this semester. I would have been miserable in both Path and Micro lectures today without it.

 

[Ashers]

Robbins is killing me.

I know Kumar talked about Robbins' cute little dry jokes in the infomercial lecture, but if the first chapter and a half are any indication, it seems our new author has successfully edited them all out. I could really use a clotting and inflammation joke right now.

Is Basic Path any better of a read? I'm just not a wordy textbook person, and yet I've found pre-reading very helpful this semester. I would have been miserable in both Path and Micro lectures today without it.

I had no idea what you guys were talking about with the Robbins Infomercial until yesterday when someone told me that Kumar was actually at school to talk people into buying his book.

I thought Robbins was a good book. One of my favorite parts of Robbins is his romance novel description of the spleen: "It is enclosed within a thin, glistening, slate-gray connective tissue capsule, through which dusky red, friable spenic parenchyma is seen." I sure don't remember any jokes. I just remember reading weird descriptions of things.

 

[45408]

Robbins is killing me.

Great. I ordered it last night.

 

[donnyfire]

Well, the M3's can weigh in on this, but to me, Robbin's was the best studying investment I made.

The text, combined with the question book did a great job of preparing me for step I, and more importantly, giving me a strong foundation in path for the clinical years.

That being said, a lot of people did not read the book, and did fine on boards, and are great in the clinic.

So bottom line, like everything else, do what works for you.

By the way, biochem and the glycolysis/krebs cycle raised it's ugly head today in the MICU. Didn't need to recite the enzymes, but had to show a good understanding of lactic acid metabolism pathways.

 

[akpete]

I liked Robbins, but I was always so far behind (because I'm a slacker and have poor time management) that I never got much read. But of what I did read, I liked. If I would've read more, I'd be much smarter right now, and possibly could've gotten more points on Step 1. But yeah, that book is huge.

Sorry, I haven't looked at the medium Robbins, so can't help you out there.

Kumar was actually here? Why? I mean, it's just Milwaukee.

 

[samenewme]

Kumar was actually here? Why? I mean, it's just Milwaukee.

He was the "keynote speaker" to open the pathology course. Of course, he's just over in Chicago, but still, I can't help thinking they must have paid him to come here, with my precious tuition money, to talk about the HISTORY OF THE FREAKING TEXTBOOK, and to run over his allotted time and into the time designated for an actual teacher to speak about microbiology.

I'm now reading Robbins online through MD Consult, and it's no worse than trudging through the print. Maybe a little worse, because it's harder to figure out how much of the chapter is left. It's a good book and everything, just not an accessible writing style for me. I'll try the medium Robbins and see if it has my beloved conciseness.

I did buy the review book at the used book pre-sale, so I'm set there. I love question books.

 

[pratik7]

I had no idea what you guys were talking about with the Robbins Infomercial until yesterday when someone told me that Kumar was actually at school to talk people into buying his book.

I thought Robbins was a good book. One of my favorite parts of Robbins is his romance novel description of the spleen: "It is enclosed within a thin, glistening, slate-gray connective tissue capsule, through which dusky red, friable spenic parenchyma is seen." I sure don't remember any jokes. I just remember reading weird descriptions of things.

I really liked it when robbins described hereditary spherocytosis as "a fat man trying to bend at the waist"

 

[pratik7]

The robbins review questions book was really good ....i highly recommend it for both class and board

 

[45408]

Kumar was actually here? Why? I mean, it's just Milwaukee.

Who knows? He's faculty at Pritzker, so it's not like we flew him in from Harvard. Maybe he gives this speech at lots of schools? I dunno.

 

[Agent Splat]

Well, we do have large class sizes, so a trip here is probably worthwhile to try to boost sales.

 

[indo]

I'd like to nominate the two path lectures this morning for the most wasteful use of time, ever.

 

[Ashers]

I'd like to nominate the two path lectures this morning for the most wasteful use of time, ever.

Wait until you start health policy to begin that nomination.

 

[45408]

I'd like to nominate the two path lectures this morning for the most wasteful use of time, ever.

I'd like to nominate my time spent during those lectures as "time well spent," because I was at home in bed at that time. My days of skipping lecture are in gear. I'm at the Tosa public library today, because I didn't feel like taking the bus to campus, nor did I feel like being on campus at 6:30am if my wife dropped me off.

The angry swearing old guy isn't around right now though, but Mr. Short Shorts sure is.

 

[donnyfire]

I'd like to nominate the two path lectures this morning for the most wasteful use of time, ever.

Wait until you start health policy to begin that nomination.

Or any of the CER lectures.

 

[donnyfire]

The angry swearing old guy isn't around right now though, but Mr. Short Shorts sure is.

When did you start calling yourself that?

 

[45408]

When did you start calling yourself that?

Right after I bought those Daisy Dukes that you really like. What's the point in looking like Quadzilla if you never show off the upper thigh?

 

[donnyfire]

Right after I bought those Daisy Dukes that you really like. What's the point in looking like Quadzilla if you never show off the upper thigh?

I do like those. You just need to shave your man-kini line a little closer.😉

 

[45408]

I do like those. You just need to shave your man-kini line a little closer.😉

Touche. I thought I had that all taken care of, but I think I'll give that waxing spa a call. This is going to sting. 😱

 

[Xandie]

It's possible brazilian waxing is *exactly* as painful as it sounds. I'm just saying.

 

[donnyfire]

 

[donnyfire]

Well, my ERAS application is ready to go. Just a quickie review tomorrow, a hefty fee payment, and off it goes.

I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[45408]

It's possible brazilian waxing is *exactly* as painful as it sounds. I'm just saying.

KELLY CLARKSON!!!

 

[Xandie]

How many programs are you applying to, Don? I'm at 33 for the bargain price of $415. Residency relocation loan, here I come!

 

[indo]

How many programs are you applying to, Don? I'm at 33 for the bargain price of $415. Residency relocation loan, here I come!

What neck of the woods are you two hoping to move to?

edit: I meant "necks" and "woodes" or "woodsen" since you two aren't necessarily moving to the same place.

 

[donnyfire]

How many programs are you applying to, Don? I'm at 33 for the bargain price of $415. Residency relocation loan, here I come!

44 programs.

$640, plus the $50 NBME transcript fee.

Extortion.

Grrrrrr.....

 

[donnyfire]

What neck of the woods are you two hoping to move to?

edit: I meant "necks" and "woodes" or "woodsen" since you two aren't necessarily moving to the same place.

I'm focusing on the Midwest, but I'm casting a broad net to see what returns.

 

[Xandie]

I'm focusing on the East Coast/mid-Atlantic, with a little MCW thrown in for good measure.

And this month is brought to you by the Emergency Department! How are your shifts looking, Don? I'll have my schedule after my orientation tomorrow. Hooray for Columbia.

 

[45408]

44 programs.

$640, plus the $50 NBME transcript fee.

Extortion.

Grrrrrr.....

well, it's cheaper than the AMCAS at least.

 

[donnyfire]

I'm focusing on the East Coast/mid-Atlantic, with a little MCW thrown in for good measure.

And this month is brought to you by the Emergency Department! How are your shifts looking, Don? I'll have my schedule after my orientation tomorrow. Hooray for Columbia.

They are fine. Worked Sunday 11p-7a. Pretty busy, but I got to suture a bit. One GSW to the chest came in, and one to the abdomen.

Interesting, but no great revelations yet (read: I haven't changed my mind).

How about you?

 

[donnyfire]

well, it's cheaper than the AMCAS at least.

Not for me. I only applied to MCW.

In other application news, about 1/3 of my programs downloaded my info today.

One generic reply from UCSF (Thanks for your interest, etc.), but nothing else.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Xandie and Donnyfire:

What's the deal with only one day off per week on medicine at the VA? Here I thought I was cool by planning my month around my call schedule the way they did it at Children's (i.e. coming in at least until rounds on post-call day and full day on weekend if you are on call that day) but now this throws a huge wrench in things. Do they think we're robots? 🙁

 

[donnyfire]

Xandie and Donnyfire:

What's the deal with only one day off per week on medicine at the VA? Here I thought I was cool by planning my month around my call schedule the way they did it at Children's (i.e. coming in at least until rounds on post-call day and full day on weekend if you are on call that day) but now this throws a huge wrench in things. Do they think we're robots? 🙁

Yeah, it sucks compared to CHW, but a lot of rotations work like that. Especially surgery.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Yeah, it sucks compared to CHW, but a lot of rotations work like that. Especially surgery.

Yeah, except this isn't surgery. It's medicine.

 

[Xandie]

I thought it was fine... I never left CHW before 3 pm post call, so staying until 3ish at the VA wasn't so bad. And you're only there on the weekend if you're on call or post call, just like CHW.

ER is fine, 8am-4pm most days unless I have off days (read: boards) to make up for, then 8am-6pm. I just need to study for boards now... that's the real issue.

I'm going to pay the fee tonight and see what happens. Oh well.

 

[DoctorFunk]

I thought it was fine... I never left CHW before 3 pm post call, so staying until 3ish at the VA wasn't so bad. And you're only there on the weekend if you're on call or post call, just like CHW.

See now this is confusing since Dr. Torre(?) told us that we would be working 6 days a week this month and then went on a 5 minute tangent (one of many) that indicated we would really need to shift things around to get both weekend days off at all this month, never mentioning the possibility that it might be a golden weekend. Guess I'll just have to wait until my senior weighs in.

Oh, and I got two patients assigned to me today to preround on tomorrow without meeting anyone else in my team. Guess who is getting up bright and early tomorrow?

 

[Ashers]

See now this is confusing since Dr. Torre(?) told us that we would be working 6 days a week this month and then went on a 5 minute tangent (one of many) that indicated we would really need to shift things around to get both weekend days off at all this month, never mentioning the possibility that it might be a golden weekend. Guess I'll just have to wait until my senior weighs in.

Oh, and I got two patients assigned to me today to preround on tomorrow without meeting anyone else in my team. Guess who is getting up bright and early tomorrow?

At least it's not dark and early like when I get up. Almost bedtime for me. =(

 

[Xandie]

Dr. Torre does, in fact, say that. The rule at the VA is that you're off on the weekend unless you're on call or post call. That's it. Dr. Torre doesn't work at the VA, so things are a little different at Froedtert.