need to start thinking about electives...

[tatabox80]

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Hi guys,
Just thought I would get some advice about planning 4th year electives. We have to schedule our electives by the end of may and at that point I will still have two electives left, family medicine and psychiatry. Now, I have an interest in both of those fields and was wondering which electives should I consider taking so that I have good preparation for both. Thanks.

 

[jennyboo]

Having done all of your other rotations is more than sufficient "preparation" for family medicine! I did it last after all of my other rotations as well, and trust me you really don't need anything more. Maybe just a little brush-up on the differential diagnosis of various rashes (read the dermatology chapter in whatever Step II prep book you end up getting) and the differential diagnosis of orthopedic problems (again, just read the chapter -- NOT worth doing a whole ortho elective for).

Psychiatry - Uhhh... I can't think of anything that's good "prep" for psychiatry. Just read Blueprints (or First Aid, or whatever). It's short, and you can easily read it the weekend before the rotation.

 

[tatabox80]

Having done all of your other rotations is more than sufficient "preparation" for family medicine! I did it last after all of my other rotations as well, and trust me you really don't need anything more. Maybe just a little brush-up on the differential diagnosis of various rashes (read the dermatology chapter in whatever Step II prep book you end up getting) and the differential diagnosis of orthopedic problems (again, just read the chapter -- NOT worth doing a whole ortho elective for).

Psychiatry - Uhhh... I can't think of anything that's good "prep" for psychiatry. Just read Blueprints (or First Aid, or whatever). It's short, and you can easily read it the weekend before the rotation.

Maybe you misunderstood, and it was late when I typed up the post, so maybe it doesn't make any sense, but I'm talking about 4th year electives to prepare me for residency. what kind of 4TH year electives would prepare me for either of those fields?

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
I am not sure which electives would be of most benefit to you but I will share my strategy in how I chose my fourth year electives.

First, I did electives in things that I thought would make me a better physician. Under this category, I chose Neurology (I can do a great neuro exam) Dermatology and Radiology (I wanted to be able to read most of the common stuff).

Second, I chose electives in things that were of interest to me but things that I would never get to do again in medicine. Under this category went Geriatrics,Gastroenterology, and Cardiac Anesthesia.

Third, I had a scholarship to do an visiting clerkship (Endocrine Surgery) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN so that one was set. After that, I did an elective in Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.

Do things that can make you a better resident and do somethings that are interesting so that you can have some fun.

Good luck!
njbmd 🙂