Suggestions for Elective Rotations

[AbuJadenDO]

Soon to be MS3 here and I have to select my elective rotation as of this week. Does anybody have any suggestions for electives that really helped them out in EM?

I've hard Rads and Anesth.

Any suggestions of what's good or a waste of time would be truly appreciated.

thanks
👍

 

[Hawk22]

Soon to be MS3 here and I have to select my elective rotation as of this week. Does anybody have any suggestions for electives that really helped them out in EM?

I've hard Rads and Anesth.

Any suggestions of what's good or a waste of time would be truly appreciated.

thanks
👍

If you do a search, you'll find alot of good stuff on this.

I'm a soon-to-be 4th year myself so I'm not expert, but I'll take a stab after reading this forum for a while now. In general, things that have been posted here as helpful are (in no particular order):

Cardiology
Anesthesia
Radiology
Orthopedics
MICU/SICU (pretty much any unit month)
Tox
Ultrasound

Lots of debate as to which are the most helpful, but these are the general ones you hear the most. You can get alot of these in your 3rd year rotations (cards as part of IM, ortho as part of surgery, etc), so do that if at all possible.

 

[CalypsoGP]

If you do a search, you'll find alot of good stuff on this.

I'm a soon-to-be 4th year myself so I'm not expert, but I'll take a stab after reading this forum for a while now. In general, things that have been posted here as helpful are (in no particular order):

Cardiology
Anesthesia
Radiology
Orthopedics
MICU/SICU (pretty much any unit month)
Tox
Ultrasound

Lots of debate as to which are the most helpful, but these are the general ones you hear the most. You can get alot of these in your 3rd year rotations (cards as part of IM, ortho as part of surgery, etc), so do that if at all possible.

I'd like to echo my UNC compatriot above, specifically mentioning Radiology as a great choice - you learn a ton and it something you will use immediately and all the time. Also, I did a pediatric ED month at a dedicated children's facility that I found quite useful - peds is usually underrepresented in residency. ICUs are a good choice: I would do MICU over SICU since you will see a greater breadth of pathology. Anesthesia was good for getting intubations, but I was bored stiff the rest of the time - do at your own risk. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything that was mentioned above, but if I had to choose I would say Radiology and MICU would be the best choices.

 

[Hawk22]

I'd like to echo my UNC compatriot above, specifically mentioning Radiology as a great choice - you learn a ton and it something you will use immediately and all the time. Also, I did a pediatric ED month at a dedicated children's facility that I found quite useful - peds is usually underrepresented in residency. ICUs are a good choice: I would do MICU over SICU since you will see a greater breadth of pathology. Anesthesia was good for getting intubations, but I was bored stiff the rest of the time - do at your own risk. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything that was mentioned above, but if I had to choose I would say Radiology and MICU would be the best choices.

I'm still surprised that you're sober enough to read those X-rays or stay awake in those dark rooms this time of year.....

 

[Radiohead]

I think Radiology can be hit or miss. At my school, you spend the month rotating to different services each week, i.e. Musculoskeletal, Body CT, Neuro, Peds, etc. Some are absolutely worthless, where the attendings basically get pissed if you ask them any questions. Some are excellent, where you are constantly being taught for 8 hours straight. Radiology was more of a vacation month, rather than actaual learning. I think you will get all of the practical radiology you will need during your ED month(s) and/or ICU rotations. I think Anesthesia or Cards would be good ideas 'cause you learn practical stuff for the ED setting, i.e. intubations, lines, chest pain work up etc. Good luck with 3rd year.

 

[trkd]

I'd like to echo my UNC compatriot above, specifically mentioning Radiology as a great choice - you learn a ton and it something you will use immediately and all the time. Also, I did a pediatric ED month at a dedicated children's facility that I found quite useful - peds is usually underrepresented in residency. ICUs are a good choice: I would do MICU over SICU since you will see a greater breadth of pathology. Anesthesia was good for getting intubations, but I was bored stiff the rest of the time - do at your own risk. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything that was mentioned above, but if I had to choose I would say Radiology and MICU would be the best choices.

There are some emergency radiology electives around. Not sure where except for one at Olive View. Anyone know anywhere else or have done one of these electives?