Should I do this summer after first year?

[panda81]

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So over the summer I'd like to try and do a couple of things: 1) spend some time in a clinical setting and get a better feel for being in that type of environment, and 2) do something that will improve my CV and help me with my residency choice.

So to the point...there's an opening for an internship at a local hospital doing exercise stress tests, follow-ups, and things in the cath lab with patients (although I'm not exactly sure what yet). I want to go into internal medicine and am interested in cardiology right now (although that obviously might change). There's not much contact with physician's in this internship as it's technically and outpatient clinic. It's about 30 hours a week and there is no pay. Should I take it because it's something to build off as far as having some experience in the area of cardiology? Or would clinical research be a better route?

Thoughts? (appreciated) 🙄

 

[JMD]

Sounds like a good experience, but you can probably find something that provides you with $$$ too. If that is not an issue go for it.

 

[Dr.Evil1]

Alot of hospitals do summer externships where you get payed a little bit in order to basically be a 3rd year medical student for a few weeks. It usually isn't anything that you won't see once you get to 3rd year but it might help you find an area you like earlier in your med school career and shape your elective choices.

The job you are talking about sounds cool and I'm sure you'll learn a bunch. Not sure how much it will help your application to residency though. Do it only if you think it will be fun for you. Quit if it sucks.

In general you don't really need to do something to boost your CV unless you have a specific interest in a competitive or research heavy residency position such as derm, optho, or possibly ortho, ENT. Second year is HARD and LONG. It might help you just as much to take it easy over the summer and just travel or have fun at home with friends (they probably miss you)

 

[amboree]

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has an excellent opportunity for you to be in a clinical setting and receive a pay check. I did an internship their this past summer and I loved it so much I plan to return this summer. 🙂

 

[tom_jones]

So over the summer I'd like to try and do a couple of things: 1) spend some time in a clinical setting and get a better feel for being in that type of environment, and 2) do something that will improve my CV and help me with my residency choice.

So to the point...there's an opening for an internship at a local hospital doing exercise stress tests, follow-ups, and things in the cath lab with patients (although I'm not exactly sure what yet). I want to go into internal medicine and am interested in cardiology right now (although that obviously might change). There's not much contact with physician's in this internship as it's technically and outpatient clinic. It's about 30 hours a week and there is no pay. Should I take it because it's something to build off as far as having some experience in the area of cardiology? Or would clinical research be a better route?

Thoughts? (appreciated) 🙄

Do research. No one cares if you did some fake clinical work as a first year, but research will improve your CV, and is vital to matching in some specialties.

 

[automaton]

definitely do research if that's an option. here's why:

1. research helps with residency
2. it doesn't have to be that demanding (for example i "worked" 20 hrs a week)
3. it often pays $
4. you will still have plenty of time to rest up, shadow in the hospital, make connections, etc

for these reasons i think research is better than clinical experience. you'll have all the clinical experience you want during 3rd year, and you can shadow during 2nd year as well. the only time i think clinical experience would be an advantage is if you're very good at networking and getting local physicians on your side come residency application time.

travelling or working on some sort of non-medical project is a good use of time as well, because research is good but it isn't "required" for a good residency.

the only thing i would definitely NOT do is waste it doing nothing. as long as you're not totally overworked during the summer, you will still be refreshed and besides, it doesn't really matter after a week or two of second year since everyone will be suffering no matter what.

 

[tigershark]

Like others have said research is the better option. If you are going to do research, make it basic science research, not clinical.

Clinical research wont do much to improve your CV for residency purposes. 99% of clinical research done by med students is simple chart review and observational, the standards for publication are much lower than for basic science and PD's know this. It's not going to help or hurt you, only show that you know how to "check all the boxes."

A basic science publication, on the otherhand, will put you head and shoulders over most applicants and give you a huge advantage.

 

[quideam]

I must interject - TRAVEL!!!!!!

Think about it - you're stuck in the SAME location for FOUR years!!!! Execpt perhaps one or two away rotations / international rotations during fourth year, you are stuck wherever you are for FOUR years. Even if you're in a huge city, it can get suffocating. GET OUT. Go abroad - do clinical stuff, research if you can find it, backpack, whatever. But why in the world would you stick around your institution - or anywhere near it - for the last truly free summer you'll ever have?! At the very least, if you're set on research, find a position outside your school, preferrably in a warm state with lots of beach and such.... but seriously, why NOT go abroad?? It's really your last chance to do any significant traveling for, well, a long time.

Quid

 

[automaton]

doing research at an outside institution is highly recommended, as quideam mentioned. i don't think i would be quite as refreshed during the break had i stayed in the same place for summer.

also, doctors can do a fair amount of travel, though less frequently in foreign countries. there are tons of conferences that doctors can go to for free all over the country. my sister is going to a conference in hawaii. so don't be too heartbroken if you can't leave this time. also, the summer after m4 year is another opportunity, but that varies on your school schedule (date of graduation) and the residency program you match into (first day of internship). finally, most schools schedule off-months during 4th year for miscellaneous crap, ostentably for interviews. but i've heard of some interviewing during a fairly easy elective, like research, and saving those off months for something else.

bottom line, if you want to do month-long backpacking trips in europe, this is a good time. if you're into just seeing places for a few days then you can do that later.

 

[panda81]

You guys keep saying DO RESEARCH, DO RESEARCH, but isn't it a little difficult to do enough research and get published over one summer's time? Especially since I've only done one stint of research in my life (for about 6 months, doing bitch-work)? Is it really going to be helpful to do research if I'm not going to be published?

 

[thackl]

You guys keep saying DO RESEARCH, DO RESEARCH, but isn't it a little difficult to do enough research and get published over one summer's time? Especially since I've only done one stint of research in my life (for about 6 months, doing bitch-work)? Is it really going to be helpful to do research if I'm not going to be published?

You may not be 1st author, but your name will be included in the final pub.

My student affairs advisor recommended I do a reseach block 3rd or early 4th yr if I decide to chase a competitive residency. I may or may not do something medically related this summer. Either way, it will be something I enjoy.

 

[tigershark]

You guys keep saying DO RESEARCH, DO RESEARCH, but isn't it a little difficult to do enough research and get published over one summer's time? Especially since I've only done one stint of research in my life (for about 6 months, doing bitch-work)? Is it really going to be helpful to do research if I'm not going to be published?

Yeah it is hard and extremely unlikely that you would get published over one summer's time. Which is also the reason that most "research" that students do is essentially meaningless for residency purposes, because they only do 1-2 months then drop it all together.

If you keep up relations with your PI though, and continue with a project after your 1-2 month elective is up, you can easily have several first author manuscripts by the time 4th year rolls around. Most PI's are more than willing to help a student get published if they show even a hint of dedication to the research (not disappearing when your elective is over.)