Retrospective studies

[tijames]

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I am a recent college graduate- I have another year or two before medical school starts, and would like to do a retrospective study in orthopedics (which I hope to specialize in) over the next year.

I don't have experience with this kind of thing. Is it best to go to a local hospital and focus my study on (for example) LCIII fracture outcomes from 2000-2011 at that particular institution? Or is there a better, more global approach, focusing on a more general topic?

My hope for this project is two-fold. First, I'd like a publication and increase my chances at getting into an ortho residency. Second, I look forward to the challenge and increasing my research experience and skills.

Any advice you have would be great.

 

[yoyomaboy]

Seriously? Just out of college and you want to do a retrospective study to give yourself a better chance at getting ortho? I suggest you work on getting into medical school first. Then work on getting good board scores. Then work on killing rotations. Then worry about what research you have.

 

[Green Grass]

Yeah, it seems like you are jumping into this a little early and unprepared. I would focus on getting into medical school and go from there.

 

[yoyomaboy]

Also, you can't just "go to a hospital" and start looking up charts. Ever heard of HIPAA? You would need to find a physician who was willing to work with you on this. It would be way more worth your time to start studying for MCATs.

 

[Butler]

Does he realize he has to get into medical school before he can pursue an Ortho residency? This is exactly like the time 3 years ago a chic in my Ugrad physics spent 20 minutes trying to convince me you don't have to go to medical school before getting a Derm residency . One of the funniest 20 minutes of my life thus far.

 

[tijames]

1.) I thought that a thread filled with orthopedic students would want to encourage, not discourage ortho-related academic pursuits.

2.) Obviously I know I can't walk into a hospital and get access to records. I have a great relationship with the ortho department chair of a large, highly-ranked hospital. Obviously, I would work with/through him. I figured I'd reach out to this forum population for advice before I approached him. I was mistaken.

3.) I understand I have to go to medical school before any residency- that doesn't mean that I can't spend my time pursuing my interests, and improving my CV.

I would have appreciated some help. Best of luck to you all.

 

[Butler]

1.) I thought that a thread filled with orthopedic students would want to encourage, not discourage ortho-related academic pursuits.

2.) Obviously I know I can't walk into a hospital and get access to records. I have a great relationship with the ortho department chair of a large, highly-ranked hospital. Obviously, I would work with/through him. I figured I'd reach out to this forum population for advice before I approached him. I was mistaken.

3.) I understand I have to go to medical school before any residency- that doesn't mean that I can't spend my time pursuing my interests, and improving my CV.

I would have appreciated some help. Best of luck to you all.

Your time would be MUCH better spent finding some physicians to shadow in different specialties. That way when it comes down to making important decisions later in your career, you will be prepared with as much comparative information as possible. How does someone 1-2 years out from med school know what specialty they want? A: You don't.

 

[tijames]

Your time would be MUCH better spent finding some physicians to shadow in different specialties. That way when it comes down to making important decisions later in your career, you will be prepared with as much comparative information as possible. How does someone 1-2 years out from med school know what specialty they want? A: You don't.

Yeah, thats a good point

 

[mtwop]

Just a question (not trying to be a dick, just curious), but how are you a premed that joined 7 years ago?

 

[IntelInside]

Just a question (not trying to be a dick, just curious), but how are you a premed that joined 7 years ago?

He probably joined when he was in HS