Rotations

[pinkyrx]

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I have a while before I have to think about rotations, but I'm curious about how schools across the country handle rotations.

-When do you start rotations during your curriculum?
-How many rotations are you required to do and do you have to spread them out or can they all be in one focus area if you want?
-Are the rotations within driving distance of your school or will you have to relocate?
-If your rotations are at multiple sites, how do they decide which students go to which locations?
-Does your school use a "points" system for rotation selection? If not, how are the popular rotations assigned?
-In general are you guys looking forward to rotations and getting out of the classroom?

 

[dgroulx]

I have a while before I have to think about rotations, but I'm curious about how schools across the country handle rotations.

-When do you start rotations during your curriculum?
-How many rotations are you required to do and do you have to spread them out or can they all be in one focus area if you want?
-Are the rotations within driving distance of your school or will you have to relocate?
-If your rotations are at multiple sites, how do they decide which students go to which locations?
-Does your school use a "points" system for rotation selection? If not, how are the popular rotations assigned?
-In general are you guys looking forward to rotations and getting out of the classroom?

I start in March, which is the last 8 weeks of my 3rd year. I will be on rotations for 12 months, then return to school the last 8 weeks of my 4th year.

We have required rotations - 8 wks ambulatory care, 8 wks adult medicine, 4 wks community pharmacy, 4 wks drug information, 4 wks choice of pediatrics, geriatrics or oncology. We have 4 elective rotations of 4 wks each that we choose (you can't pick the same thing twice). We also get a "4 weeks off" rotation. So, we end up with 44 weeks of rotations.

Some will be in driving distance, some won't be. They give preference to students with children. Everyone else gets to drive or move, unless we get lucky.

The computer assigns rotations. We filled out a form and chose 5 geographical areas and 15 electives. The computer assigns all those with young children first. Then the rest of us get to go. A randomized list is created. Required rotations are assigned from the top down, then electives are assigned from the bottom to the top. December is "swap month". All UF students can trade rotations or switch to rotations that weren't assigned. I should be getting my computer generated list in the next week or two.

I am looking forward to rotations. Even though they are difficult and take up all of your time, it is at least something different. Also, we are only concentrating on one thing at a time, compared to this semester where we have 8 classes.

 

[Sosumi]

At Maryland, we have a 6 phase system which is complicated for all of the students. For phase 1, you start rotations in your first year. You do a one week rotation in October and one week in March. One is at community and the other at a hospital. Then a one day rotation at a non traditional practice site. It's mainly to let incoming students get a taste of what they're in for and to decide early on if this is for them.

Phase 2, is called longitudinal care where you follow 1 patient throughout your second year and another patient throughout your 3rd year. You basically learn how to take histories, perform blood pressure checks, review medication, and work up a problem to make a recommendation in your pharmaceutical care plan.

Phase 3 occurs right after your 2nd year. It's 4 weeks at a community and 4 weeks at an insitution basically learning how to fill medications safely. You just learn how to spot and fix medication errors in dispensing.

Phase 4 occurs after your 3rd year and involves 4 weeks each at 1 community and 1 institution and 2 others in either community or insitution. It's basically the same as phase 3 except you have to do pharmaceutical care plans on at least 2 patients depending on what your preceptor wants. You also have to answer I think 10 drug information questions which is of phase 5. (I'm still shaky on exactly what else is required for phase 5.)

Phase 4a is 12 weeks in an ambulatory care practice site which can be done alongside phase 4 and 6 rotations. The other phases you get a choice and ranking before the administrator selects where you go, whereas phase 4a is assigned to you regardless of preference.

Phase 6 is 3 4 week sessions in an elective site that can be anything from working at the FDA, internal medicine, medicine specialties, research, etc. and usually requires doing a few presentations.

 

[off2skl]

At MWU-CPG

1st year- Shadow Rotations It used to be 5 weeks each hospital and ambulatory, 1 day a week for 4 hours, JUST OBSERVING. They've changed it this year and it may now only be 2 weeks each.

2nd year- Introductory Rotations These were during our 1st quarter (which is almost over). We had a 5 week (40 hour per week) rotation in institution and ambulatory. Basically for the most part we work as a technician, but we're also doing some counseling and OTC recommendations. And depending on the site you may have more opportunities.

3rd year- Advanced Rotations These are during the last 2 quarters of the program. Six 5 week rotations, one ambulatory, one institutional, one faculty (which is more clinical), and then 3 others based on your interests.

 

[dgroulx]

Oops, I forgot about 1st & 2nd year. For 1st year, we were assigned a family. We had to monitor their meds, interview them, etc. We also had to do community health screenings - 3 per semester. In year two, we had one semester in a retail setting and one semester in a hospital setting. We were there one day each week for a couple of hours. At each setting, we had to create a project, do research and present a poster of our findings.

 

[off2skl]

Now that I have some time to read the entire posting I can answer the rest of the questions.

Our rotations sound like they're selected similarly to dgroulx's. We can select our top three choices per rotation (and an area of the city we'd prefer should those not pan out), but then it's put into the "spin." I didn't really get my choices this time so I can't say that it works well for everyone 🙂. It basically gives everyone equal opportunity for the "popular" rotations, but the more people that select them obviously the less chance you'll have of actually getting them technically.

The first year rotations are just assigned and they allowed you to do some switching (ex. I had a rotation site right by the school and I was able to find someone who had the same type of rotation ambulatory/institution during the same block and we were able to switch). Second and third years you're stuck with what you get...

And each rotation we have a project but it's between you and the preceptor how it will be presented.

Rotations can be an hour away from campus in any direction (and when you live a 40 minutes away in one direction, you pray that that hour away isn't in the OPPOSITE direction). There are some sites further away, but those are only assigned to people who request them.

I really enjoyed rotations and I'll be very happy to be doing my 3rd year rotations since I'll be almost done with the program entirely. But, I am excite dto be going back to class too since I know it'll go fast!

 

[ForgetMeNot]

Second and third years you're stuck with what you get...

They stopped allowing people to switch around rotations with classmates? 😱 I feel sorry for you guys.

 

[off2skl]

That's not the only thing they've changed from what I heard. The biggest was them adding a class to our curriculum. We raised a bit of a stink and the compromise is that we don't have to take as many elective hours, but I think THAT'S only for our class, so the Ps1's got the added class and still have to take more electives,

 

[lord999]

I'm glad I did the 10 shadow weeks than have to do any of that "Community Service" BS that Sondra Peters is putting you guys through now.

At MWU-CPG

1st year- Shadow Rotations It used to be 5 weeks each hospital and ambulatory, 1 day a week for 4 hours, JUST OBSERVING. They've changed it this year and it may now only be 2 weeks each.

2nd year- Introductory Rotations These were during our 1st quarter (which is almost over). We had a 5 week (40 hour per week) rotation in institution and ambulatory. Basically for the most part we work as a technician, but we're also doing some counseling and OTC recommendations. And depending on the site you may have more opportunities.

3rd year- Advanced Rotations These are during the last 2 quarters of the program. Six 5 week rotations, one ambulatory, one institutional, one faculty (which is more clinical), and then 3 others based on your interests.

 

[Jeddevil]

I'm glad I did the 10 shadow weeks than have to do any of that "Community Service" BS that Sondra Peters is putting you guys through now.

I know that I learned much from my community service opportunity. I know that if Pharmacy doesn't work out for some reason, I can always get a job at Kinkos. I learned how to put paper packets together well at my service organization. I spent about 2 hours with people who could be considered patients or those we were supposed to serve and did a bunch of office work crap the other time. Horrible class, horrible experience, total waste of time and money.

Wow, now that I have that off my chest, I can't wait to see the new surprises we will get at the town hall scheduled the first week of classes. That should be great.

 

[off2skl]

I know that I learned much from my community service opportunity. I know that if Pharmacy doesn't work out for some reason, I can always get a job at Kinkos. I learned how to put paper packets together well at my service organization. I spent about 2 hours with people who could be considered patients or those we were supposed to serve and did a bunch of office work crap the other time. Horrible class, horrible experience, total waste of time and money.

Wow, now that I have that off my chest, I can't wait to see the new surprises we will get at the town hall scheduled the first week of classes. That should be great.

I didn't here when the town hall was scheduled, but I heard that we're not going to like what we hear (what else is new????) 🙂 One thing that seems certain is our groups are changing. Don't know if we'll have a new group for the remainder of the courseload or if they're just doing away with groups and having each class assign its own groups like in Peter's and Nesemann's.

 

[pharmaz88]

I know that I learned much from my community service opportunity. I know that if Pharmacy doesn't work out for some reason, I can always get a job at Kinkos. I learned how to put paper packets together well at my service organization. I spent about 2 hours with people who could be considered patients or those we were supposed to serve and did a bunch of office work crap the other time. Horrible class, horrible experience, total waste of time and money.

Does that include the interior detailing after off2skl's friend 'decorated' your car driving back from the service site?

 

[pharmaz88]

I didn't here when the town hall was scheduled, but I heard that we're not going to like what we hear (what else is new????) 🙂 One thing that seems certain is our groups are changing. Don't know if we'll have a new group for the remainder of the courseload or if they're just doing away with groups and having each class assign its own groups like in Peter's and Nesemann's.

In keeping with the great ideas implemented by the new administration, we are going to determine our new groups by using a time-tested method:

duck duck goose

 

[off2skl]

 

[Jeddevil]

Does that include the interior detailing after off2skl's friend 'decorated' your car driving back from the service site?

No, the friend covered the detailing. I had forgot about that. Another great moment to remind me of that class. Actually, that was the best moment in the entire class. That will let you know how much I valued service learning.

 

[ULTRON]

Layman's question: Someone said that during rotations, we are only concentrating on one thing at a time.

Is it true that medical students rotating only in ONE area for a block. For example, during a 4-week surgery elective, you're only concentrating on surgery. This will be followed by a 4-week internal medicine elective, followed by a 4 week radiology, etc. So basically, you cannot rotate in surgery and radiology simultaneously.......is this true?

ULTRON

 

[dgroulx]

They finally assigned our rotations. Here's what I ended up with:

March 2006 - Critical Care - Inpatient hospital setting. (I hope I don't kill anyone)

April 2006 - Hospital Practice - Staff pharmacist duties.

May/June 2006 - Ambulatory Care - outpatient clinic setting.

July 2006 - Geriatrics - family practice/clinic setting

Aug 2006 - Drug Information - boring, but required. I'll be at Pharmerica

Sep 2006 - Community Practice - retail

Oct 2006 - Surgery - I'm at a VA hospital for this one

Nov 2006 - Anticoagulation - I'm at the same VA for this one, too.

Dec 2006 - Vacation

Jan/Feb 2007 - Adult Medicine - inpatient hospital setting.

Things could change. We start swapping later this week. I'm pretty happy with what I got, though I didn't get any of my top choices. Those with young children got assigned first.

 

[usi]

They finally assigned our rotations. Here's what I ended up with:

March 2006 - Critical Care - Inpatient hospital setting. (I hope I don't kill anyone)

April 2006 - Hospital Practice - Staff pharmacist duties.

May/June 2006 - Ambulatory Care - outpatient clinic setting.

July 2006 - Geriatrics - family practice/clinic setting

Aug 2006 - Drug Information - boring, but required. I'll be at Pharmerica

Sep 2006 - Community Practice - retail

Oct 2006 - Surgery - I'm at a VA hospital for this one

Nov 2006 - Anticoagulation - I'm at the same VA for this one, too.

Dec 2006 - Vacation

Jan/Feb 2007 - Adult Medicine - inpatient hospital setting.

Things could change. We start swapping later this week. I'm pretty happy with what I got, though I didn't get any of my top choices. Those with young children got assigned first.

How far do you have to travel, and how long are your days 9-5?

 

[ULTRON]

Is this the schedule for your 3rd year? Or 4th?

ULTRON

They finally assigned our rotations. Here's what I ended up with:

March 2006 - Critical Care - Inpatient hospital setting. (I hope I don't kill anyone)

April 2006 - Hospital Practice - Staff pharmacist duties.

May/June 2006 - Ambulatory Care - outpatient clinic setting.

July 2006 - Geriatrics - family practice/clinic setting

Aug 2006 - Drug Information - boring, but required. I'll be at Pharmerica

Sep 2006 - Community Practice - retail

Oct 2006 - Surgery - I'm at a VA hospital for this one

Nov 2006 - Anticoagulation - I'm at the same VA for this one, too.

Dec 2006 - Vacation

Jan/Feb 2007 - Adult Medicine - inpatient hospital setting.

Things could change. We start swapping later this week. I'm pretty happy with what I got, though I didn't get any of my top choices. Those with young children got assigned first.

 

[ultracet]

Is this the schedule for your 3rd year? Or 4th?

ULTRON

i believe its a mix...
end of 3rd beginning of 4th

 

[Sosumi]

So you're done with all your coursework by February of your 3rd year at UF? I wish that were true at my school.

 

[ultracet]

So you're done with all your coursework by February of your 3rd year at UF? I wish that were true at my school.

no i believe they go back to class for the remainder of their 4th year

 

[dgroulx]

3rd year at UF is a full semester in the fall, 1/2 a semester in the spring, then rotations start. After the year of rotations, we return to school and finish up with another 1/2 of a semester. This allows us to have one last pharmacotherapy course where we apply what we learned out on rotations.

 

[dgroulx]

How far do you have to travel, and how long are your days 9-5?

My rotations range from Ocala (1 hour drive north) to Bradenton (2 hour drive south). I'm swapping a rotation in Clearwater for one in Groveland (near Brooksville). I'm hoping to change the Bradenton one to Plant City. Everything else is in Hillsborough & Pinellas county.

The hours will vary by site. It is a minimum of 40 hours a week.

 

[pinkyrx]

My rotations range from Ocala (1 hour drive north) to Bradenton (2 hour drive south). I'm swapping a rotation in Clearwater for one in Groveland (near Brooksville). I'm hoping to change the Bradenton one to Plant City. Everything else is in Hillsborough & Pinellas county.

The hours will vary by site. It is a minimum of 40 hours a week.

I wonder if they have a maximum? I've heard some awful stories about really really long days on rotation.

 

[ultracet]

I wonder if they have a maximum? I've heard some awful stories about really really long days on rotation.

we dont have a max....

the state board does as to how many you can report...

and also just because you aren't there doesn't mean you're not taking another 4 hrs of work home with you....

 

[pinkyrx]

we dont have a max....

the state board does as to how many you can report...

and also just because you aren't there doesn't mean you're not taking another 4 hrs of work home with you....

The extra 4 hours at home scares me too! I've heard people mention bring work home before but I'm not exactly sure what it would be. Is it research over certain cases and that kinda thing?