Standing out in EM Rotation

[NontradICUdoc]

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Hello,

In July I will be starting my audition rotations in Emergency Medicine. I would like to know what book(s) would be useful in being properly prepared for the rotations? I currently have "Emergency Medicine Secrets".

Also, I would like to know if there is any advice you can give to be a standout during the rotation.

Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

 

[leorl]

One of my clerkship directors when I was doing electives told me that the way to stand out is a) present well b) have a list of differentials in your mind when you present c) say which tests you would like to order with those differentials d) be enthusiastic e) followup your work so that your attending / resident does not have to keep chasing you.

It worked for me and I never forgot it. You wouldn't believe the number of residents who actually don't do the above.

Of all of those, the last one is the most important. Now that I'm a resident who precepts students, I can tell you how annoying it is when a student disappears or does not follow up the patient. In my facility, students are not given computer access so when a student does not follow up the patient, my workload doubles (or triples / quadruples). When a student is diligent, articulate and follows the patient, the praise for that person is unanimous.

 

[leorl]

Oh, EM secrets is a fine book. There's also the "Pocketbook" series that are small print outline books in a little tiny binder - they have one for EM too. When I was a student it had black cover, but it's probably changed now.

 

[docB]

Hello,

In July I will be starting my audition rotations in Emergency Medicine. I would like to know what book(s) would be useful in being properly prepared for the rotations? I currently have "Emergency Medicine Secrets".

Also, I would like to know if there is any advice you can give to be a standout during the rotation.

Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

Have an idea about your patient's disposition, i.e. are they most likely going to go home, get admitted or do you need the results of a test to decide.

 

[RxnMan]

Here.

 

[LynxCarpathicus]

Thats great document! The point is not necessary to come up with correct dx, but to r/o diagnosis in ED. That being said, having a decent list of differential dx is a BIG thing, as well as work up to r/o or dx each. Having techincal skills i.e suturing, central line placement, splinting...all that helps to leave good impression as well. 🙂

Here.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Thanks everyone for their responses, I really do appreciate it.

 

[WilcoWorld]

-Focus less on seeing a lot of patients and more on knowing EVERYTHING about your patients. Especially know where they are in their work-ups at all times. (He's waiting for a CT, has he drank the contrast yet? She's waiting for a pregnancy test. Has she peed yet? He's going to go home once his pain is controlled. Does he have a ride?). I would much rather hear a med student with 3 patients tell me "14's Xrays are negative, 22's urine looks infected, and 29 feels better and wants to go home" then "Can I tell you about another patient?"
-Try to formulate a differential diagnosis before presenting, and try to make your presentation lead the attending/resident to your differential.
-Start every presentation with the patient's age, gender, and chief complaint. It tells us what we need to be listening for.
-Be eager to do each and every procedure. Even the seemingly banal.
-Know the NEXUS and Canadian C-Spine criteria if you'll be allowed to see any trauma patients.

As for books, if the ED you're rotating through has one of the "5 Minute Consult" books in the ED it would be good to review the relevant section quickly before presenting. At home, I would just focus on your assigned readings, since that's what your test is likely to cover.

 

[WilcoWorld]

Oh yeah, if you have tried to get a good history, done an exam, reviewed the patient's records and you still have no idea what's going on (it'll happen), then just say so. Personally, I'd rather you be upfront with that then have to wait through a rambling presentation to come to the same conclusion.

Of course, if that's happening with every patient then we've got a problem.

 

[pinipig523]

I noticed that students with good personalities and who can handle a decent load of patients are considered good.

Those who freak out, look frazzled, and have a less than stellar attitude are labeled "not suitable".

Also, those students who are overly confident, joke around too much. They're also labeled "not suitable" for our residency.

I really don't care if you know zilch... if you work hard and you show it.