MSIV looking for advice.........

[medready2005]

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Hello All!!!

So I'm definitely going into Pediatrics (yay!), and I am currently in the process of choosing which senior electives to take next year. I have a question in terms of how to start the year off, I am debating over either taking pediatric critical care (PICU) elective, or starting with an inpatient Sub-I. What are the arguments for and against?? Advice anyone???

Thanks for the help!!!

👍👍

 

[MonkeyRalph]

start off with one sub-I to make sure it's what you really want. spend the rest of the year exploring everything else that you didn't get to do third year (EM, gas, path, radiology, derm, underwater basket weaving).

if you still want to do a PICU or NICU later on, then go for it.

 

[m1234d]

start off with one sub-I to make sure it's what you really want. spend the rest of the year exploring everything else that you didn't get to do third year (EM, gas, path, radiology, derm, underwater basket weaving).

if you still want to do a PICU or NICU later on, then go for it.

i agree. i spent this year doing all sorts of non-peds rotations. i did my subI first, and am ending with PICU, which should be good preparation for next year.

 

[medready2005]

Now what if the sub-I I take is actually in the NICU or PICU? Would that also be a reasonable approach?

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Absolutely! I got a lot out of my PICU rotation for a subI; but agree with the other folk (MonkeyRalph and m1234d) regarding doing other stuff.

Check out the FAQ at the top of the list for more answers to other questions!

 

[bjackrian]

I have a choice between doing electives that are not pediatrics per se, but that I can take at either our adult hospital or our children's hospital (e.g., radiology v. pediatric radiology; pathology/lab medicine v. pediatric pathology/lab medicine, etc.).

Is there a reason to not take the pediatric version of these electives?

 

[CrazyPeds527]

I'm doing a pediatric radiology rotation right now and learning a ton. I think it is considerably more valuable than adults for the following reasons:

1) Learning how to spot CAD on a CT...not so valuable for us
2) Learning manifestations of congential heart disease on CXR and CT...very valuable.
3) Bronchiolitis/RSV on a film...good to know
4) Simple anatomical stuff from reading repeat CXRs is very helpful for the basics of films
5) One of the most common themes i have been told by interns is to learn how to determine if lines/tubes are OK to use. Knowing where an ET tube, IJ line, PICC line, NG tube, Duo-tube are supposed to be will be useful when you get umpteen calls next year asking "Can we use this line/tube?"

Those are my thoughts 🙂

 

[rsyche]

Welcome to Pediatrics!
I am a 2nd year Peds resident. I would say that the first thing to do is a General Peds Sub-I, especially if you can get one at the hospital that you would be interested in doing residency training in. Remember that you spend 3-4 months of your intern year on the general peds floors, so having that sub-I experience is really useful.
Second, I would choose a NICU sub-I. The learning curve for NICU is pretty steep and you typically do 2 months in the NICU during your intern year, so a NICU sub-I will really get you prepared for residency.
I would hold off on the PICU sub-I for now (typically you do not work in the PICU until 2nd year)

 

[coldflare]

I agree with rsyche. I'm an intern in peds, and my general inpatient sub-I was the perfect preparation for a busy intern year. You'll spend about 1/3 to 1/2 of your intern year on the wards, so make the most of your sub-I. Learn to write admission orders for asthma exacerabtions and RSV bronchiolitis while you are there.

Also, think of the recommendation letters. The ICUs are a tough place to get involved as a student; you have a better chance to show your stuff and impress your attendings on the inpatient wards.

 

[medready2005]

I'm doing a pediatric radiology rotation right now and learning a ton. I think it is considerably more valuable than adults for the following reasons:

1) Learning how to spot CAD on a CT...not so valuable for us
2) Learning manifestations of congential heart disease on CXR and CT...very valuable.
3) Bronchiolitis/RSV on a film...good to know
4) Simple anatomical stuff from reading repeat CXRs is very helpful for the basics of films
5) One of the most common themes i have been told by interns is to learn how to determine if lines/tubes are OK to use. Knowing where an ET tube, IJ line, PICC line, NG tube, Duo-tube are supposed to be will be useful when you get umpteen calls next year asking "Can we use this line/tube?"

Those are my thoughts 🙂

AWESOME! Quick Q: where are you doing the peds radiology elective? Any programs in the Northeast region?? Thanks!! 👍

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Sorry I am out west! But actually, my rotation was originally not billed as a "Peds Radiology" elective; but i spoke with the elective director and asked specifically for all Peds time if he thought it was OK (now granted, he was biased since he is a Peds Radiologist). Bottom line, if your school doesnt offer a peds radiology elective, ask to be set up with one of the staff peds radiologists...i think that would help.

If the elective is offered, go for it.

Any residents with other thoughts?