Ok, first, please don't blast me for asking as this does sound overly ambitious. But I'm interested in this as a possibility for the summer between first and second year. I figured I would ask people with rotations under their belt as you folks have probably "seen things" and have a bit of insight. What can you guys tell me about pursuing OR time next summer as more than an observer (perhaps minor participant)? I'm really just curious at this point, I can't really suture or tie knots or anything.
You need to find a surgeon who is willing to let you scrub in. You may want to avoid academic centers so that you don't have to compete with MS3/4s, but that's not an absolute. (at least academic surgeons are used to having students around) Start talking to them now to see if they're open to the possibility of your scrubbing in. Ask MS3/4s at your school to see if they have any suggestions of surgeons who are more likely to be willing to take you in. Find someone who'll teach you how to suture so that you have a chance at doing something other than retracting. I did something very similar, but in EM, between 1st & 2nd year. It was an excellent experience.
I think it's definitely possible (and not overly ambitious if it's what you love doing). I've managed to scrub in on a couple of cases this year (first year) and plan to keep doing it. All you have to do is find a surgeon who is willing to have you around. So far, the attending, residents, and nurses have all been really cool to me.
I'm gonna be a hater. I would advise against using your summer b/n 1st and 2nd year as a time to be in an OR observing. The surgeons will let you participate by letting you retract and cutting their sutures. That's about it. If you practice on your own, you may get to suture a liitle yourself as well. The main reason I say no is because this is your last free extended summer for a LONG time, maybe for the rest of your life!!! You will probably not have another "summer break". So you gotta think, do I want to spend it watching surgeries, or do something this summer now in my twenties that I will never get to do again. You'll definitely have time to see surgeries, since you are in fact a med student. Also, I wouldn't do it for the fact to improve your resume for residency. You got plenty of time to do that in third year and on the boards. If you really feel that some OR time will make you the happiest this summer then do it. Just know that the further you get into medicine, the more you just wish you had some time off.
The world is your oyster. Pursue what you want. You would probably be surprised at how a lot of attendings react to students who show interest in their specialty. Yes they are busy and aren't going to fawn over you just because you say you are interested in surgery -- but you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at the reaction you get. That being said, make sure you have a few weeks of rest and relaxation and traveling if that is your cup of tea. Like said above, this is the last 3 month summer vacation you get until you retire, most likely.
