What are medical student-medical resident relationships like?

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

I am NOT referring to romantic/sexual relationships. I am referring to professional relationships. Do medical students directly report to residents? Do residents mentor medical students? Are residents directly responsible for med student mishaps?

In other words, what exactly is the professional team and power dynamic when it comes to interactions between med students and residents?

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[ndafife]

This is going to be very institutional/rotation dependent. My experience had me put on a team of residents for IM/Surgery with a chief and an intern and I reported more directly to the chief. The attending would still cosign my notes and listen to me present patients for rounds and stuff, but the chief resident was more who I reported to

 

[TypeADissection]

Very institution dependent. Here you follow the intern around most of the day and when on call to learn the logistics of floor work and perioperative care. But when not doing so, you’ll be scrubbed into cases with the senior residents. We’re a pretty chill group but like all things in life, some are better at teaching than others. Some have more patience. Etc.

This may be a good time to say that personal story telling and a driving need to be a part of a conversation between residents or residents-attendings, generally doesn’t go over well. The best med students are the ones that come in and have good social IQ. They call the floors to get updates, follow up on studies, and are well read and prepared. Trying to overcome your deficiencies in knowledge with bad humor and personal anecdotes is a quick way to get marginalized. We know what you’re doing and can see through it. I always thought this was a given but it seems to get worse each year. Not sure why. Cheers.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Very institution dependent. Here you follow the intern around most of the day and when on call to learn the logistics of floor work and perioperative care. But when not doing so, you’ll be scrubbed into cases with the senior residents. We’re a pretty chill group but like all things in life, some are better at teaching than others. Some have more patience. Etc.

This may be a good time to say that personal story telling and a driving need to be a part of a conversation between residents or residents-attendings, generally doesn’t go over well. The best med students are the ones that come in and have good social IQ. They call the floors to get updates, follow up on studies, and are well read and prepared. Trying to overcome your deficiencies in knowledge with bad humor and personal anecdotes is a quick way to get marginalized. We know what you’re doing and can see through it. I always thought this was a given but it seems to get worse each year. Not sure why. Cheers.

Very interesting. Would you mind expanding a little more on the latter half of your response? Perhaps with an example? My social IQ admittedly isn't that high so I just want to know more about what this is about.

 

[ndafife]

Very interesting. Would you mind expanding a little more on the latter half of your response? Perhaps with an example? My social IQ admittedly isn't that high so I just want to know more about what this is about.

Recognize situations when the resident/attending doesn't want you around. On the more obvious end of the spectrum, don't follow them into the bathroom or stand staring over their shoulder for 15 minutes as they try to type notes. On the less obvious figure out when they want to sit and talk and teach and answer questions, and when they just want to get their work done in peace.