med school....

[cfdavid]

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Well gentelmen, as of Thursday, I finished up my first year of med school. So, I'm officially an MSII (yup, got the grades back already....lol). The way I look at it is that this past year has basically just laid a foundation for the years to come. Overall, it's been a pretty good year. Next year should be a bit more interesting, but perhaps a lot more work.

So, this summer I'll have a chance to shadow at a residency program at my med school. However, I'll also have a chance (hopefully, he can get it cleared) to shadow a private practice buddy of mine at a smaller community hospital that his group works for.

Are there any particular cases I might want to request when I shadow at the residency program?? I'd love to see a broad range of procedures, so I was thinking of a CABG case (but I really have no idea if this is logical. I'm making an "assumption"...lol). Any ideas??

 

[n2bait]

Well gentelmen, as of Thursday, I finished up my first year of med school. So, I'm officially an MSII (yup, got the grades back already....lol). The way I look at it is that this past year has basically just laid a foundation for the years to come. Overall, it's been a pretty good year. Next year should be a bit more interesting, but perhaps a lot more work.

So, this summer I'll have a chance to shadow at a residency program at my med school. However, I'll also have a chance (hopefully, he can get it cleared) to shadow a private practice buddy of mine at a smaller community hospital that his group works for.

Are there any particular cases I might want to request when I shadow at the residency program?? I'd love to see a broad range of procedures, so I was thinking of a CABG case (but I really have no idea if this is logical. I'm making an "assumption"...lol). Any ideas??

Find out which resident is rotating though hearts, and shadow him for at least a day.

Also, try to be involved in a liver transplant, if possible, even if you have to stay late (I did a 1am to 7am case, and it was WELL worth it).

...and make sure to have fun!

 

[jetproppilot]

Well gentelmen, as of Thursday, I finished up my first year of med school. So, I'm officially an MSII (yup, got the grades back already....lol). The way I look at it is that this past year has basically just laid a foundation for the years to come. Overall, it's been a pretty good year. Next year should be a bit more interesting, but perhaps a lot more work.

So, this summer I'll have a chance to shadow at a residency program at my med school. However, I'll also have a chance (hopefully, he can get it cleared) to shadow a private practice buddy of mine at a smaller community hospital that his group works for.

Are there any particular cases I might want to request when I shadow at the residency program?? I'd love to see a broad range of procedures, so I was thinking of a CABG case (but I really have no idea if this is logical. I'm making an "assumption"...lol). Any ideas??

I think, Dave, if you're tryin' to get the vibe of what its like to make a living in this biz,

you're not gonna get it goin' into one room and sittin' there for one-to-eight hours.

Find a well-adjusted private practice dude. I'm sure your buddy fits that.

Ask him why he picked anesthesia. What his internship was like. What he'd change to make his internship a better experience.

Ask him where he did his residency. And if he could change it, what he'd look for in a residency program that could've prepared him better for his current gig.

Ask him why he picked his current gig. Is he happy? If so, what is contributing to his happiness in his current situation?

Is he not happy? Why? What would make him happy?

Ask him how he feels being an anesthesiologist in the current market.

Is he secure? Insecure? If he is insecure, what/where could he go to be secure?

Don't miss the forest for the trees, friend.

The cases will always be there.

But, at your level, if you are considering anesthesiology as a career, delve deeper than the cases.

Thats where the Holy Grail of the-rest-of-your-life lies.

 

[Noyac]

exactamundo Jet.

 

[Trisomy13]

you know what's really going to happen.

you'll do that late 3rd year Exorcist head-spin and have a crisis and wake up thinking "wow I think I might really be happy as an OB. i mean, i never realized it til this rotation"...and migrate to that SDN board, and ... well that's the end of it. perineal tears and poop showers.

 

[jetproppilot]

I think, Dave, if you're tryin' to get the vibe of what its like to make a living in this biz,

you're not gonna get it goin' into one room and sittin' there for one-to-eight hours.

Find a well-adjusted private practice dude. I'm sure your buddy fits that.

Ask him why he picked anesthesia. What his internship was like. What he'd change to make his internship a better experience.

Ask him where he did his residency. And if he could change it, what he'd look for in a residency program that could've prepared him better for his current gig.

Ask him why he picked his current gig. Is he happy? If so, what is contributing to his happiness in his current situation?

Is he not happy? Why? What would make him happy?

Ask him how he feels being an anesthesiologist in the current market.

Is he secure? Insecure? If he is insecure, what/where could he go to be secure?

Don't miss the forest for the trees, friend.

The cases will always be there.

But, at your level, if you are considering anesthesiology as a career, delve deeper than the cases.

Thats where the Holy Grail of the-rest-of-your-life lies.

And congrats on making it to MS-2.

A much easier year than the first year, so sequester up what extra cash you have, buy a Petrone liter, garner it with what you must, sit down with the alcohol-laden-concoction, and say to yourself:

"Damn. I made it through the first year. I'm the f ukkin man!!"

(two very large sips of said alcohol-laden-concoction)

Upon further personal study you say to yourself:

"This medicine biz is pretty cool. I'm guaranteed six figures."

NOW, my friend, comes the moment of truth.

Cuz the world is really your oyster if you've got MD behind your name.

Is your monetary-return on your educational investment an issue to you?

Not making judgement.

This is for you to decide.

But heres a little inside trader info for ya:

YOUR SPECIALTY CHOICE AS A MED STUDENT WILL MAKE YOU MILLIONS. OR MAKE YOU LOSE MILLIONS.

Sorry to disappoint you.

I'm driven by the C-Notes of my specialty.

And I respect those that aren't.

But you know what?

No med school counselor will talk about this s hit with you.

No-one feels the burden of your student-loan debt.....

except you.

They don't have to see Sallie Mae as a mistress for five-to-ten years.

You do.

SOOOOOO,

I'm from the school-of-thought that, as a med student, you should maximize returns on your (very) large investment.

Here's the take home message.

It should be up there with the New Testament book of Luke, if you are a med student:

YOU ARE IN A CATECHOLAMNE-DRIVEN PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW.

Trying to think 5-10 years ahead is nearly impossible.

Many med students make LIFELONG decisions on what they are gonna do with the rest of their lives based on information that you won't give a s hit about ten years from now.

NOW is about the RUSH.

WOW. A HEART SURGEON.

WOW. A TRAUMA SURGEON.

Sorry, boys and girls.

Medicare reimbursement for the-above "iconic" specialties will make you cringe.

A heart surgeon gets about sixteen-hundred-bucks for a CABG.

And that includes 99 days of post-op care.

So the incessant calls from ICU-RNs at 3am during the post-op 48 hours?

No extra money.

Sixteen hundred bucks.

But heres the REAL message:

ANYTHING BECOMES ROUTINE AFTER ABOUT FIVE YEARS. AND YOUR LIFE'S PRIORITIES WILL CHANGE FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOW.

Heart surgery becomes routine.

Neurosurgery.

Anesthesia.

Radiology.

............

SO CAN YOU LIVE LIFE WITH THE SPECIALTY YOU CHOSE AS A TWENTY SOMETHING DUDE/DUDETTE FULL OF PISS AND VINEGAR???

Believe me, your kids will become important.

And if you are missing major kid things (baseball games, SpongeBob plays) because of your selected specialty, it'll start resentment.

If you're OK with that, its all good.

Just go into your specialty selection

EYES WIDE OPEN.

Which, without the proper perspective, which is aside from the catecholamine rush of clinicals as a med student,

next to impossible.

 

[cfdavid]

And congrats on making it to MS-2.

A much easier year than the first year, so sequester up what extra cash you have, buy a Petrone liter, garner it with what you must, sit down with the alcohol-laden-concoction, and say to yourself:

"Damn. I made it through the first year. I'm the f ukkin man!!"

(two very large sips of said alcohol-laden-concoction)

Upon further personal study you say to yourself:

"This medicine biz is pretty cool. I'm guaranteed six figures."

NOW, my friend, comes the moment of truth.

Cuz the world is really your oyster if you've got MD behind your name.

Is your monetary-return on your educational investment an issue to you?

Not making judgement.

This is for you to decide.

But heres a little inside trader info for ya:

YOUR SPECIALTY CHOICE AS A MED STUDENT WILL MAKE YOU MILLIONS. OR MAKE YOU LOSE MILLIONS.

Sorry to disappoint you.

I'm driven by the C-Notes of my specialty.

And I respect those that aren't.

But you know what?

No med school counselor will talk about this s hit with you.

No-one feels the burden of your student-loan debt.....

except you.

They don't have to see Sallie Mae as a mistress for five-to-ten years.

You do.

SOOOOOO,

I'm from the school-of-thought that, as a med student, you should maximize returns on your (very) large investment.

Here's the take home message.

It should be up there with the New Testament book of Luke, if you are a med student:

YOU ARE IN A CATECHOLAMNE-DRIVEN PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW.

Trying to think 5-10 years ahead is nearly impossible.

Many med students make LIFELONG decisions on what they are gonna do with the rest of their lives based on information that you won't give a s hit about ten years from now.

NOW is about the RUSH.

WOW. A HEART SURGEON.

WOW. A TRAUMA SURGEON.

Sorry, boys and girls.

Medicare reimbursement for the-above "iconic" specialties will make you cringe.

A heart surgeon gets about sixteen-hundred-bucks for a CABG.

And that includes 99 days of post-op care.

So the incessant calls from ICU-RNs at 3am during the post-op 48 hours?

No extra money.

Sixteen hundred bucks.

But heres the REAL message:

ANYTHING BECOMES ROUTINE AFTER ABOUT FIVE YEARS. AND YOUR LIFE'S PRIORITIES WILL CHANGE FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOW.

Heart surgery becomes routine.

Neurosurgery.

Anesthesia.

Radiology.

............

SO CAN YOU LIVE LIFE WITH THE SPECIALTY YOU CHOSE AS A TWENTY SOMETHING DUDE/DUDETTE FULL OF PISS AND VINEGAR???

Believe me, your kids will become important.

And if you are missing major kid things (baseball games, SpongeBob plays) because of your selected specialty, it'll start resentment.

If you're OK with that, its all good.

Just go into your specialty selection

EYES WIDE OPEN.

Which, without the proper perspective, which is aside from the catecholamine rush of clinicals as a med student,

next to impossible.

Dude, friggin great advice! lol I just finished a coupla Jack and Vernor's (for those not familiar with "Vernors", it's basically a Michiganian thing. A mix of ginger ale and club soda).

Anyway, I totally agree with you on this stuff. You remind me of my buddy, that I need to get in touch with come to think of it. It's true that no matter what, things become routine. And, I'll never be accused of being one that is motivated by ill-fated ideology.

Keep up the posts guys. I'll be posting a fair amount, just to keep things alive. I've got thick skin, so state it like it is (we don't seem to have a problem with that though.. lol). 👍

 

[jetproppilot]

you know what's really going to happen.

you'll do that late 3rd year Exorcist head-spin and have a crisis and wake up thinking "wow I think I might really be happy as an OB. i mean, i never realized it til this rotation"...and migrate to that SDN board, and ... well that's the end of it. perineal tears and poop showers.

I'd rather be a Taco Bell Manager than an obstetrician.

But thats just me.

 

[Pooh & Annie]

Dude, friggin great advice! lol I just finished a coupla Jack and Vernor's (for those not familiar with "Vernors", it's basically a Michiganian thing. A mix of ginger ale and club soda).

Anyway, I totally agree with you on this stuff. You remind me of my buddy, that I need to get in touch with come to think of it. It's true that no matter what, things become routine. And, I'll never be accused of being one that is motivated by ill-fated ideology.

Keep up the posts guys. I'll be posting a fair amount, just to keep things alive. I've got thick skin, so state it like it is (we don't seem to have a problem with that though.. lol). 👍

Nothing better than a vernors shake or float at Sanders (are there any of those left?)

 

[guitarguy]

The specific cases you choose aren't so important. A case will only be as interesting as the anesthesiologist who is in the room with you. Ask around who the good teachers are and stick with them. It all appears overwhelming at first...it seems like the anesthesiologist is doing twenty things at once. You'll appreciate everything much more after you've completed pharmacology and some of your clinical rotations. For now try to get an idea of what the field is all about, and it never hurts to make more contacts for later.

 

[sdn1977]

First, let me give you my heartfelt congratulations!!! My experience is not yours....a bit different. My daughter just completed her MS II year & finished (& passed Step I). From my perspective, its a whole lot easier being a parent to an MSI than an MSII.

As an MSII, you've now gone beyond what her dad & I learned - which really was a LOT (her dad worked in Messelson's lab - you know the guy who got the Nobel Prize for DNA replication - down the hall from Crick - like in Watson & Crick - the DNA guys??? so its not like he's some dumb shmuck from the backwoods.....she just passed him by & fast!)

An MSII really learns a WHOLE LOT OF STUFF FAST! I hate to tell you that,, but it seemed to be the case for my daughter, altho, somehow, she thrived on that - sadly, not so much the pharmacology part🙁 .

But...yeah - she shadowed in her field of interest - was willing to watch anything that came thru the door & was grateful for the chance. She asked about happiness, lifestyle, good & bad, personality fits, I can't think of all that she asked about. She even shadowed someone during Christmas break. She's seen both her parents do call, me having done shift work, holidays, weekends, etc... lifestyle is certainly on the top of her list of thngs to want & she's a smart enough woman to be able to do lots of things. She's also seen an aunt die in a plane crash as a young woman & her dad have a brain tumor...so life can be short & fast & this is not your complete life, as Jet elouently said.

But, as a parent, MSII brings fewer issues of worry that its either: too much, the right choice, the right place, etc....all that has worked out. We're glad & I'm glad you're done & have done well. Be sure to take some time to relax & gain perspective outside of medicine!

Good luck ahead & enjoy the ride - its a long road ahead, but stimulating!

 

[cfdavid]

First, let me give you my heartfelt congratulations!!! My experience is not yours....a bit different. My daughter just completed her MS II year & finished (& passed Step I). From my perspective, its a whole lot easier being a parent to an MSI than an MSII.

As an MSII, you've now gone beyond what her dad & I learned - which really was a LOT (her dad worked in Messelson's lab - you know the guy who got the Nobel Prize for DNA replication - down the hall from Crick - like in Watson & Crick - the DNA guys??? so its not like he's some dumb shmuck from the backwoods.....she just passed him by & fast!)

An MSII really learns a WHOLE LOT OF STUFF FAST! I hate to tell you that,, but it seemed to be the case for my daughter, altho, somehow, she thrived on that - sadly, not so much the pharmacology part🙁 .

But...yeah - she shadowed in her field of interest - was willing to watch anything that came thru the door & was grateful for the chance. She asked about happiness, lifestyle, good & bad, personality fits, I can't think of all that she asked about. She even shadowed someone during Christmas break. She's seen both her parents do call, me having done shift work, holidays, weekends, etc... lifestyle is certainly on the top of her list of thngs to want & she's a smart enough woman to be able to do lots of things. She's also seen an aunt die in a plane crash as a young woman & her dad have a brain tumor...so life can be short & fast & this is not your complete life, as Jet elouently said.

But, as a parent, MSII brings fewer issues of worry that its either: too much, the right choice, the right place, etc....all that has worked out. We're glad & I'm glad you're done & have done well. Be sure to take some time to relax & gain perspective outside of medicine!

Good luck ahead & enjoy the ride - its a long road ahead, but stimulating!

Wow. What a nice post sdn. Thank you. It sounds like you're doing an excellent job as a mother! From what I've heard you're a wealth of knowledge as a professional as well. So, welcome back. I hope to be able to learn from you over time.

Regards,

cf

 

[cfdavid]

Nothing better than a vernors shake or float at Sanders (are there any of those left?)

Damn, I'm not 100% positive about Sanders, but I THINK they ARE still around. lol, I totally agree with the Vernors shakes. I used to have those as a kid. Seriously, I used to even drink Vernors and milk (poor man's shake?....lol). Ever try that?

 

[Pharm Life]

Are there any particular cases I might want to request when I shadow at the residency program?? I'd love to see a broad range of procedures, so I was thinking of a CABG case (but I really have no idea if this is logical. I'm making an "assumption"...lol). Any ideas??

I am interested in this question too. I am going to shadow a bunch of anesthesiologists this summer while doing research. I would like to shadow lots of different ones so that I can see all different kinds of anesthesia practice. Besides liver transplant, heart, someone in private practice, and pain, what else would be a good kind of procedure or subspecialty to try to see?

 

[YupGypsy]

And congrats on making it to MS-2.

A much easier year than the first year, so sequester up what extra cash you have, buy a Petrone liter, garner it with what you must, sit down with the alcohol-laden-concoction, and say to yourself:

"Damn. I made it through the first year. I'm the f ukkin man!!"

(two very large sips of said alcohol-laden-concoction)

Upon further personal study you say to yourself:

"This medicine biz is pretty cool. I'm guaranteed six figures."

NOW, my friend, comes the moment of truth.

Cuz the world is really your oyster if you've got MD behind your name.

Is your monetary-return on your educational investment an issue to you?

Not making judgement.

This is for you to decide.

But heres a little inside trader info for ya:

YOUR SPECIALTY CHOICE AS A MED STUDENT WILL MAKE YOU MILLIONS. OR MAKE YOU LOSE MILLIONS.

Sorry to disappoint you.

I'm driven by the C-Notes of my specialty.

And I respect those that aren't.

But you know what?

No med school counselor will talk about this s hit with you.

No-one feels the burden of your student-loan debt.....

except you.

They don't have to see Sallie Mae as a mistress for five-to-ten years.

You do.

SOOOOOO,

I'm from the school-of-thought that, as a med student, you should maximize returns on your (very) large investment.

Here's the take home message.

It should be up there with the New Testament book of Luke, if you are a med student:

YOU ARE IN A CATECHOLAMNE-DRIVEN PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW.

Trying to think 5-10 years ahead is nearly impossible.

Many med students make LIFELONG decisions on what they are gonna do with the rest of their lives based on information that you won't give a s hit about ten years from now.

NOW is about the RUSH.

WOW. A HEART SURGEON.

WOW. A TRAUMA SURGEON.

Sorry, boys and girls.

Medicare reimbursement for the-above "iconic" specialties will make you cringe.

A heart surgeon gets about sixteen-hundred-bucks for a CABG.

And that includes 99 days of post-op care.

So the incessant calls from ICU-RNs at 3am during the post-op 48 hours?

No extra money.

Sixteen hundred bucks.

But heres the REAL message:

ANYTHING BECOMES ROUTINE AFTER ABOUT FIVE YEARS. AND YOUR LIFE'S PRIORITIES WILL CHANGE FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOW.

Heart surgery becomes routine.

Neurosurgery.

Anesthesia.

Radiology.

............

SO CAN YOU LIVE LIFE WITH THE SPECIALTY YOU CHOSE AS A TWENTY SOMETHING DUDE/DUDETTE FULL OF PISS AND VINEGAR???

Believe me, your kids will become important.

And if you are missing major kid things (baseball games, SpongeBob plays) because of your selected specialty, it'll start resentment.

If you're OK with that, its all good.

Just go into your specialty selection

EYES WIDE OPEN.

Which, without the proper perspective, which is aside from the catecholamine rush of clinicals as a med student,

next to impossible.

If they're paying peanuts for those operations, what are the chances that anesthesia reimbursement be severely slashed?

so how valid is

WOW. A PLASTIC SURGEON

 

[dhb]

I am interested in this question too. I am going to shadow a bunch of anesthesiologists this summer while doing research. I would like to shadow lots of different ones so that I can see all different kinds of anesthesia practice. Besides liver transplant, heart, someone in private practice, and pain, what else would be a good kind of procedure or subspecialty to try to see?

I don't think the procedures are important as a med student, if you get to see everything you cited you'll certainly have seen plenty. Find a good teacher and remember to study the 2 important topics: cars and women 😀

 

[fakin' the funk]

I'd rather be a Taco Bell Manager than an obstetrician.

What's the difference? They both deal primarily with filthy, foul-smelling meat.

 

[YupGypsy]

If they're paying peanuts for those operations, what are the chances that anesthesia reimbursement be severely slashed?

so how valid is

WOW. A PLASTIC SURGEON

no one wants to answer me =(