Transition from preclinical to clinical (M2 to M3)

[mtsapko]

I did a dual MD/PhD program about 20 years ago (yikes). I had an extremely hard time transitioning back from the lab into the clinic, i.e., research years back to M3. Do medical schools do a better job preparing students now than they did back then? I'm interested in responses from all students, not just fellow mudphuds.

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[Goro]

One of my students get to their third year, and I asked them if we prepare them well for being out in the real world, they invariably say yes.

 

[odyssey2]

I think the M2-M3 transition can be more challenging than the M4-intern year transition since if you've gone straight through college to med school up to that point you've just been a student, and now suddenly you're being judged for things that have nothing to do with studying for a test.

 

[mtsapko]

I think the M2-M3 transition can be more challenging than the M4-intern year transition since if you've gone straight through college to med school up to that point you've just been a student, and now suddenly you're being judged for things that have nothing to do with studying for a test.

I agree. After my sub-I in fourth year I felt reasonably prepared to start internship. It was the move into third year that was monstrously challenging.

 

[PathNeuroIMorFM]

Kind of depends on the person and rotation more than the school, imo.

If you go straight from Step 1 grind to surgery rotation, you're gonna have a bad time. I started out on outpatient peds, which was a really good way of getting my feet wet without being overwhelmed and I felt I transitioned really well because of that.

 

[mtsapko]

Kind of depends on the person and rotation more than the school, imo.

If you go straight from Step 1 grind to surgery rotation, you're gonna have a bad time. I started out on outpatient peds, which was a really good way of getting my feet wet without being overwhelmed and I felt I transitioned really well because of that.

That's a good point.

 

[Dral]

At my school, the MD/PhDs did a 3rd year rotation or two right after M2, then to PhD world, then back to finish off M3 clinicals. I think that helps them at least get their feet wet and maybe help a bit for when they come back down the road.

 

[mtsapko]

That's smart. I like that approach.

 

[eteshoe]

I did my clinical yr (m3) before doing my PhD (just explained to my MSTP director why I wanted to do something different). I thought that was a better use of my time for my future self. I don't regret it. I just had to plan coming back a bit more and start out on an elective before jumping into sub-I's and aways.