Picking rotation sites

[NRAI2001]

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Is it better to pick a site that is:

A) A larger site with more didactic and lecture type of teaching with less hands on work?

or

B) A smaller site with more hands on work but less didactic/lecture type of teaching?

I guess basically practical learning vs. lecture based learning?

 

[ChiDO]

Site that gets you honors!

 

[NRAI2001]

Site that gets you honors!

Could be a valid reason I suppose if didactics vs. hands on doesnt make a huge difference??

 

[McGillGrad]

If you want to crush the shelfs, then more teaching.

 

[45408]

I voted B. I recommend asking people who have already had that rotation what they think.

 

[NRAI2001]

If you want to crush the shelfs, then more teaching.

My goal is to learn so that once I get to my elective rotations I can show the programs that I m interested in continuing my residency at that I am a competent student.... which do you think would be better for this?

 

[NRAI2001]

Are clinical rotations like basic science where there is a teaching/lecture aspect of basic sciences but the majority is self taught? Or is it heavily dependent on your teachers/residents?

If you are a motivated student would it be better to rotate at a smaller site that may allow you to take on more responsibility even though there maybe less formal teaching and more self learning by reading text books?

Is it the case that at a larger program there maybe formal teaching by residents and attendings and you may read and be lectured on many of the procedures but not actually get to perform many on your own? But at a smaller program you may have to read up on the procedures on your own but be able to actually perform many the next day?

Or is this usually not a problem at most sites? Practicing procedures is not a problem if you seek them out?

 

[McGillGrad]

My goal is to learn so that once I get to my elective rotations I can show the programs that I m interested in continuing my residency at that I am a competent student.... which do you think would be better for this?

Learning is mostly done in residency (or so I am told). During rotations, the goal is to take part in as many different procedures and cases as you can to broaden your horizons (and to help you decide what you would like to pursue in residency).

Any time you plan on using an elective as an extended interview, you need to make sure you have as much experience (or educated enthusiasm) as you can muster. That means working on social and academic skills in core rotations.

In short, doing well on the shelf exams is as important as organizing yourself on the wards to be as efficient and "trainable" as possible. So work on your presentation skills, work on being a team player, work on 'reading' your superiors quickly and being the type of student that adapts quickly and reduces headaches in their day.

It is as much about "being a person they want to work with" as being "a competent and intelligent physician."