What Makes a Great OS Extern?

[Hemingway3132]

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I’m curious to know what qualities residents look for when evaluating what distinguishes a good extern from a great extern? Aside from the usual points of advice such as "Show up Early and Stay Late," "Don't ask too many questions but still be engaged," "Read up on the cases before hand," etc. Are there any specific pieces of advice I am missing that is required to make a good impression on a program? I find it challenging to strike the right balance between being helpful and not overstepping my boundaries in the clinic and OR. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[deleted923283]

99% of the time, we don’t need you. But if you’re not around for that 1% of the time, and we don’t know where you went, that leaves a bad taste. Always make sure the residents have your number and they know where you are.

Always offer to help in the menial tasks like wiping down a room, turning a patient’s light off when we round, and carrying tongue depressors.

Try to get in touch with us on Saturday before you start on Monday. So we can tell you where to go.

Read the room and don’t become annoying. Eager and curious are okay, but don’t be a burden and be annoying. Especially When things get stressful and high stakes, just zip it.

Bring jokes and maybe coffee/doughnuts too.

If we tell you to go home, it’s because there’s nothing interesting left to do. Really, go home and eat and get to bed early.

We’re not judging your skill or knowledge. We’re judging your personality.

 

[Hemingway3132]

99% of the time, we don’t need you. But if you’re not around for that 1% of the time, and we don’t know where you went, that leaves a bad taste. Always make sure the residents have your number and they know where you are.

Always offer to help in the menial tasks like wiping down a room, turning a patient’s light off when we round, and carrying tongue depressors.

Try to get in touch with us on Saturday before you start on Monday. So we can tell you where to go.

Read the room and don’t become annoying. Eager and curious are okay, but don’t be a burden and be annoying. Especially When things get stressful and high stakes, just zip it.

Bring jokes and maybe coffee/doughnuts too.

If we tell you to go home, it’s because there’s nothing interesting left to do. Really, go home and eat and get to bed early.

We’re not judging your skill or knowledge. We’re judging your personality.

Thank you for the response!

 

[carabelliscusp]

Be pleasant to be interact with and don’t only talk OS

 

[HockeyDocOMFS]

99% of the time, we don’t need you. But if you’re not around for that 1% of the time, and we don’t know where you went, that leaves a bad taste. Always make sure the residents have your number and they know where you are.

Always offer to help in the menial tasks like wiping down a room, turning a patient’s light off when we round, and carrying tongue depressors.

Try to get in touch with us on Saturday before you start on Monday. So we can tell you where to go.

Read the room and don’t become annoying. Eager and curious are okay, but don’t be a burden and be annoying. Especially When things get stressful and high stakes, just zip it.

Bring jokes and maybe coffee/doughnuts too.

If we tell you to go home, it’s because there’s nothing interesting left to do. Really, go home and eat and get to bed early.

We’re not judging your skill or knowledge. We’re judging your personality.

This hits the nail on the head, aside from bringing coffee/donuts. I view that more as brown nosing than anything else. We also know that you spent a lot of money to visit our program, so no need to spend more money by buying us stuff.

Everything else is spot on though!

 

[nade0016]

This is very dependent on where you extern. I agree with most of the above but please dont go over the top with "gifts" etc. It seems pandering. A simple thank you email after externship is fine. Show up early, stay late, help where it is needed, get to know the residents. Thats about it. Externships are not for me, they are for the extern to learn about my program.