Question about Surgery Away Rotations

[chesswiz23]

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Hey everyone, I'm currently a 3rd year medical student planning on doing General Surgery, and I'm trying to plan out my 4th year. I thought I'd get some advice on a particular question I had.

When doing an away rotation at an institution that you plan on applying to for residency, is it necessary that you do a general surgery rotation there? For example, I have a particular interest in transplant, and I'd rather do a transplant rotation instead of general surgery. Or is it more important to try and do a rotation with the GS program director or chairman of surgery? I have a couple programs in mind and they happen to have transplant surgeons who hold pretty high positions.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[operaman]

Not sure if there's a clear cut answer to that question. I think I would focus first on programs you're interested in that also provide a good experience for their rotators. There's a big difference between a rotation with a herd of other visiting students all clamoring for the PD and chair's attention, versus one that takes fewer and really tries to provide a good experience to the visitors.

As for your question, I think I would personally do what I was most interested in. Remember the oft-repeated and more oft-ignored advice: you are more likely to hurt your chances on an away than help. At least with transplant you'll be more engaged and can sorta kill two birds with one stone in that you'll get to experience and evaluate a program both as a potential resident and also down the road as a potential fellow. While you should try to get a little bit a of face time with the key players, people will talk about you and people will hear bout how you're doing.

 

[chesswiz23]

Thanks @operaman and @SouthernSurgeon for the input! Much appreciated. I guess I'll be fine doing a transplant rotation somewhere.

In terms of "should I" do an away rotation..I've asked others that question, and I feel like I'm probably someone who would benefit from an away rotation b/c of exactly the point @SouthernSurgeon made...Although I do have a high step 1 score, and have honored in clinical rotations, I come from a relatively new school on the East Coast that probably doesn't have much of a reputation/name recognition/familiarity yet (the South Carolina/UCLA analogy is very applicable). I think getting my name out there at a bigger academic program may at least level the playing field with applicants from other big name programs.

Thanks again.

 

[WinslowPringle]

Beyond being interested in a program or specific region, wanted to add two other reasons to consider an away:

1. Seeing a different type of institution can be helpful for knowing what type of place you want for residency. If you're coming from a smaller institution and want to see a giant academic medical center, can be informative in terms of where you apply and what you look for. (I thought it was particularly useful in the reverse, coming from a huge AMC and looking at community programs.) Also helpful in seeing a different group/type of resident interactions.
2. If your home program doesn't have transplant and you're more interested in transplant than general, why not do it for the 'fun' of it? (I'd still do another advanced GS rotation at home for a better assessment of how much do I want to do five years of GS residency...)

Again, general caveat that you have to be aware of how your performance can affect your chances. Definitely don't go expecting an auto interview invite. Might not get an 'easy' honors because they aren't invested in you as a student. But by no means a complete deal-breaker. (And I say this as someone who did an away that ended badly - which I don't regret at all doing.)

 

[caserpode]

people will talk about you and people will hear bout how you're doing.