Socially Awkward

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Ballints

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Hello, I was reading some threads about PMR because I have become interested in this field lately. And I read that this is one of the specialties where step1 scores are less important while "social awkwardness" is more of a red flag than in some other specialties. I also had some shadowing experience in pmr before med school. And I don't know if I would be able to become successful in this specialty, assuming I even completed a residency? I think my step1 score will be unusually high for this specialty but at the same time I might get average or below average grades/feedback in year 3.
I think that it's cool to be a part of an outpatient PT center.. I find it "interesting" when I see someone with an injury such as a sprained wrist or back pain after some physical activity, and I would be at ease talking to them about their injuries. But I don't know if I would be of any help to someone who has a permanent disability, such as stroke or sci.

And I would like to ask some specific questions:
how competitive is each of these programs: ucla, uc-irvine, stanford? do they all teach you to do casting and to inject all the joints? accupuncture? Thanks.
 
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One thing at a time. I assume you are a MS1 or 2 right? Whatever field you choose you will have to learn to openly discuss catastrophe: the stillborn baby, the new cancer dianosis, the real source of that new herpes infection. So CVA and TBI is no different. It's okay to be socially awkward in any field but you must find a way to be a good communicator regardless.

As for what we do, start with the stickies on the PM&R thread-they give lots of basic info on the field.

Sorry I can't give any specifics on CA programs, hopefully other folks from those programs can chime in.
 
Ballints said:
Hello, I was reading some threads about PMR because I have become interested in this field lately. And I read that this is one of the specialties where step1 scores are less important while "social awkwardness" is more of a red flag than in some other specialties. I also had some shadowing experience in pmr before med school. And I don't know if I would be able to become successful in this specialty, assuming I even completed a residency? I think my step1 score will be unusually high for this specialty but at the same time I might get average or below average grades/feedback in year 3.
I think that it's cool to be a part of an outpatient PT center.. I find it "interesting" when I see someone with an injury such as a sprained wrist or back pain after some physical activity, and I would be at ease talking to them about their injuries. But I don't know if I would be of any help to someone who has a permanent disability, such as stroke or sci.

And I would like to ask some specific questions:
how competitive is each of these programs: ucla, uc-irvine, stanford? do they all teach you to do casting and to inject all the joints? accupuncture? Thanks.
Click to expand...

It depends on what you mean by "socially awkward." If you really have difficulty communicating with people, especially patients, you may be better suited for rads or pathology. If you are just shy, that goes away with the confidence you gain as you realize you know things, you know what to do in situations that come up, and you know what needs to be done.

If you are talking more about a social phobia, you need to have some counseling. Counseling is admitting you have difficulty with some aspect of your life, and need someone to help you out.

As a rule, PM&R doesn't teach you how to cast. You may do serial casting for things like spasticity, but most people have a cast tech to do that. Very few programs teach accupunture, if any. You should learn to inject most joints, blind, with ultrasound and with fluoro.
 
Thank you! I am about to start ms2. I am not sure what I want to do. But I definitely have an interest in injuries+exercise. But not necessarily as a job. Even if I were a pathologist, I would still try to learn as much as possible about msk injuries at least as a hobby. I am not interested in path/radiology because they have a very poor job market. Primary care may have low salary but at least it's something that guarantees a job. Of course I will get much more clinical experience in ms3 and it's possible I'll find out that I do better with some patients than with others. But my "awkwardness" or whatever it is would be easy to spot on the interviews. I read in an earlier thread that residency interviews, especially in pmr, try to evaluate this ability to hold a conversation on a random topic. And this is just not something I am good at. I am not good at making friends.
So how come pmr don't do nonsurgical reductions + casting? And any info on california competitiveness? also nyu?
 
Cali is competitive due to desirability. Competitive does not equate great programs. If you want strong programs with excellent MSK then Mayo, UW, RIC, etc.
Social interaction is important in all fields with patients and colleagues. Taking care of patients is far different than making friends so I wouldn't try to correlate those 2.
FP doesn't even do much casting anymore, sports exposes you to some. But ortho has transferred much of that to PA, NP, or cast techs.
 
Job market varies widely by region and also over time. Specialties fall in and out of favor, but none have ever died from lack of job prospects. As a MS1 I would keep an open mind about all fields until you have more practical experience.

Agree with above: don't equate chatting people up in a party with doctor-patient conversations. I know a lot of very shy people who do just fine in medicine because you have a structure, and a purpose to each interaction with your patient and with your team. As opposed to a party where you wander in and maybe feel like 30 pairs of eyes look at you and wonder who is that guy/gal? why is he/she here? Then you wander over to the Doritos and start inhaling them and avoid eye contact. Ha Ha

When you walk in an exam room with a white coat no-one wonders why you showed up and trust me they are very interested in what you have to say. And you will learn to ask the right questions and take a good history. It's not a natural talent and while some med students are better than others you will have ample time to get better at communicating with patients as you move through school.
 
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