Just wondering what those of you already in residency think of medical students in the ED....I mean, what does a medical student do that impresses you, or kind of attitude (outgoinging versus relaxed), etc.
tips for a medical student?
- Thread starter malia
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The residents will have additional info for you from their side of the station; here's what I have to say, speaking as a tech who dealt with students regularly.
* Be prepared. Go to the orientation; have a general idea about the computer system, the board, the general layout of the place, who does which job and how to tell us apart. But...
* Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a lot that's specific to the ED. We'd be happy to help you find where the sutures are kept, or clue you in to where we like to stash that extra Doppler just in case. And while we might have a sort-of-regular pattern of shifts, you don't. You might see nobody tomorrow you met today. We feel bad when you stand helplessly with that clueless look on your face. We generally want to help you do well. But remember...
* Be nice. We have lots of stuff going on, at least as much as you. It may not be a good time. So please pick your moment, say hello, and make sure we're free before you launch into whatever it is you need. The best way to have a rotten rotation is to alienate the RNs and techs. The best way to alienate the RNs and techs is to be a wanker.
* Have a sense of humor. The responsibility you'll feel like you have can be overwhelming; some of the patients will test your equanimity (and sanity). Being all stressed-out and dire will make everyone's day seem even longer. Then again...
* You are getting a grade, and you are a guest. Just because we make inappropriate jokes doesn't mean you have to join in. We know each other pretty well and have been here a while. If you have a great instinct for that, and you're truly funny, you'll be our favorite. But it's absolutely okay to smile quietly, be cordial, and mostly just work.
* Don't try to take on more patients than you can really handle. Carrying two patients well is much more impressive than carrying four and not knowing whose labs are back yet or who still needs to get to X-Ray.
* As in all rotations, nobody expects you to know everything. Some people actually expect you to know nothing, so being smart can work to your advantage. You earn or lose the confidence and trust of your preceptors partly with what you know, and partly with how well you recognize what you don't know. You'll be allowed to do more stuff independently once you convince your preceptor that you are either already good at it, or he/she doesn't have to worry that you'll try to fake your way through something that might hurt the patient. And finally...
* Not everybody loves the ER. It's cool if you're more comfortable in the clinic, the OR, or wherever. It's possible to go into it thinking you want to do Ortho, find out you're sure about Ortho on day three, but still have a great EM rotation. Students who hate it every day of the rotation are invariably students who make it way harder than it needs to be. Just go with the flow. Embrace the pros and remember that when your shift is over, the cons no longer apply to your life. Until tomorrow.
* Be prepared. Go to the orientation; have a general idea about the computer system, the board, the general layout of the place, who does which job and how to tell us apart. But...
* Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a lot that's specific to the ED. We'd be happy to help you find where the sutures are kept, or clue you in to where we like to stash that extra Doppler just in case. And while we might have a sort-of-regular pattern of shifts, you don't. You might see nobody tomorrow you met today. We feel bad when you stand helplessly with that clueless look on your face. We generally want to help you do well. But remember...
* Be nice. We have lots of stuff going on, at least as much as you. It may not be a good time. So please pick your moment, say hello, and make sure we're free before you launch into whatever it is you need. The best way to have a rotten rotation is to alienate the RNs and techs. The best way to alienate the RNs and techs is to be a wanker.
* Have a sense of humor. The responsibility you'll feel like you have can be overwhelming; some of the patients will test your equanimity (and sanity). Being all stressed-out and dire will make everyone's day seem even longer. Then again...
* You are getting a grade, and you are a guest. Just because we make inappropriate jokes doesn't mean you have to join in. We know each other pretty well and have been here a while. If you have a great instinct for that, and you're truly funny, you'll be our favorite. But it's absolutely okay to smile quietly, be cordial, and mostly just work.
* Don't try to take on more patients than you can really handle. Carrying two patients well is much more impressive than carrying four and not knowing whose labs are back yet or who still needs to get to X-Ray.
* As in all rotations, nobody expects you to know everything. Some people actually expect you to know nothing, so being smart can work to your advantage. You earn or lose the confidence and trust of your preceptors partly with what you know, and partly with how well you recognize what you don't know. You'll be allowed to do more stuff independently once you convince your preceptor that you are either already good at it, or he/she doesn't have to worry that you'll try to fake your way through something that might hurt the patient. And finally...
* Not everybody loves the ER. It's cool if you're more comfortable in the clinic, the OR, or wherever. It's possible to go into it thinking you want to do Ortho, find out you're sure about Ortho on day three, but still have a great EM rotation. Students who hate it every day of the rotation are invariably students who make it way harder than it needs to be. Just go with the flow. Embrace the pros and remember that when your shift is over, the cons no longer apply to your life. Until tomorrow.
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Depending on where you go you will work closely with different people in the department. Some places have you assigned to an attending. Some attatch you to a junior resident.
Where I am the 4th year takes presentations from everybody. Nothing sucks worse than a student that makes more work than they provide. I don't mean to say that it is a problem having them there. I would argue the opposite. I love to teach. What I mean is think small. Seeing five patients at once and not finishing any of them, leaving me to discharge and dispo them or see that they get their needed studies is not going to make a happy senior resident. I would argue that you should see one or two at a time at most and owne them. Follow them to the end. Ensure that they get the studies that we decide on. Get their discharge paperwork in order. When we round at the end of the shift present your patient. In exchange I will teach. I will walk you through the procedures. I will make sure that you have a place on the team.
Additionally I would aggree with Feb...Be professional. Be courteous. Be punctual. Nobody expects you to know everything. Ask when you have questions and be ready to grab anybody if you think that there is something above your head. Nobody will slight you for being careful. Be eager to learn and you will do well.
Where I am the 4th year takes presentations from everybody. Nothing sucks worse than a student that makes more work than they provide. I don't mean to say that it is a problem having them there. I would argue the opposite. I love to teach. What I mean is think small. Seeing five patients at once and not finishing any of them, leaving me to discharge and dispo them or see that they get their needed studies is not going to make a happy senior resident. I would argue that you should see one or two at a time at most and owne them. Follow them to the end. Ensure that they get the studies that we decide on. Get their discharge paperwork in order. When we round at the end of the shift present your patient. In exchange I will teach. I will walk you through the procedures. I will make sure that you have a place on the team.
Additionally I would aggree with Feb...Be professional. Be courteous. Be punctual. Nobody expects you to know everything. Ask when you have questions and be ready to grab anybody if you think that there is something above your head. Nobody will slight you for being careful. Be eager to learn and you will do well.
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1. Do NOT be a gunner.
2. What they said.
3. Be interested and be yourself.
4. Respect all those you encounter. nurses, techs, off service rotations.
(do not slam other specialties, even if those around you are. they are venting, you are being unprofessional... double standard but its there.)
5. Do not speak ill of other programs (if you are applying to EM) or other people. Its a small world and you never know who knows who.
6. Do not be afraid to say "I don't know."
7. let people know if there are things you would love to do: suture, etc. One MS even asked if I minded if they went over to fast track as they had lacs come in and took the initiative after I said yes to check in with the PA. It was a huge help and I took note.
2. What they said.
3. Be interested and be yourself.
4. Respect all those you encounter. nurses, techs, off service rotations.
(do not slam other specialties, even if those around you are. they are venting, you are being unprofessional... double standard but its there.)
5. Do not speak ill of other programs (if you are applying to EM) or other people. Its a small world and you never know who knows who.
6. Do not be afraid to say "I don't know."
7. let people know if there are things you would love to do: suture, etc. One MS even asked if I minded if they went over to fast track as they had lacs come in and took the initiative after I said yes to check in with the PA. It was a huge help and I took note.
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All good recs, something I thought of and wanted to add...
Carry trauma shears, when a trauma comes in, be the cutting man. Get those clothes off, unstrap the board, jerk the board out when they roll and get it out of the way. Be there and involved yet back and out of the way. I have seen too many times while being a student an even now as just an intern where a student will come and just stand at the door and watch a trauma unfold.....thats good if its your first couple, but if you have ever been around a few, jump in.
When everyone is done and chunks their gloves, dont be afraid to go up and take a closer look at the patient and do a quick exam yourself. Check over the CTs with the residents and watch for xrays as they roll in. People say trauma is bread and butter, and I agree, but I think there is often lots to learn from trauma radiographs.....it can bring up some good teaching points with residents/attendings, I believe it impresses them that you are all up to date on that trauma that the sr level resident is probably managing.....of course, all the while, dont get too behind on 'your' patients...
Carry trauma shears, when a trauma comes in, be the cutting man. Get those clothes off, unstrap the board, jerk the board out when they roll and get it out of the way. Be there and involved yet back and out of the way. I have seen too many times while being a student an even now as just an intern where a student will come and just stand at the door and watch a trauma unfold.....thats good if its your first couple, but if you have ever been around a few, jump in.
When everyone is done and chunks their gloves, dont be afraid to go up and take a closer look at the patient and do a quick exam yourself. Check over the CTs with the residents and watch for xrays as they roll in. People say trauma is bread and butter, and I agree, but I think there is often lots to learn from trauma radiographs.....it can bring up some good teaching points with residents/attendings, I believe it impresses them that you are all up to date on that trauma that the sr level resident is probably managing.....of course, all the while, dont get too behind on 'your' patients...
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excellent point about helping out, not being in the way and learning something!
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* You are getting a grade, and you are a guest. Just because we make inappropriate jokes doesn't mean you have to join in. We know each other pretty well and have been here a while. If you have a great instinct for that, and you're truly funny, you'll be our favorite. But it's absolutely okay to smile quietly, be cordial, and mostly just work.
All good advice but I think this is REALLY important. Remember that you are a guest and as such you should be on your best behavior. Be your self, but be the you that meets the dad of your prom date, not the self that is calling for the second round of jaegerbombs.
I warn the underclassmen about this all the time but it seems to fall on deaf ears because I think people can't fight the desire to want to fit in.
All good advice but I think this is REALLY important. Remember that you are a guest and as such you should be on your best behavior. Be your self, but be the you that meets the dad of your prom date, not the self that is calling for the second round of jaegerbombs.
I warn the underclassmen about this all the time but it seems to fall on deaf ears because I think people can't fight the desire to want to fit in.
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If you are trying to do procedures you must know a little about the procedure. You should have read about it in a test (such as Roberts and Hedges) and seen it and then read about it again. Do not just pop up and ask to do something and lead the attending to believe you have read about it and seen it if you haven't. I have chewed out one resident in the last year and that was because she asked to intubate, said she was comfortable with the procedure and then proceeded to hold the laryngoscope with her right hand and insert it backwards.
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LOL, I shouldnt laugh... as a resident who will will have my day of doing something like that. We had an off-service resident in the ED order a "bier block of L arm" as if the nurse was going to knock that part out for him.
