when to sit down with the bosses

[epsilonprodigy]

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I'm on surgery right now, and even though it's early in the rotation, so far it's confirmed what I've suspected for a long time: surgery is where I want to be. I let it drop in passing to my attending that I want to be a surgeon, but haven't officially sat down with anyone to discuss it further. When is a good time to do this? The mid-rotation evaluation, or is that too late? I'm a little concerned about having this discussion too early also, because my major deficit is research (i.e., I have none, lol.) I definitely want to do research with the surgery department at my school, but I'm concerned that they'll expect me to jump onto a project during my surgery rotation, and as a non-trad with a family, I'm not sure I could swing this. Thoughts?

 

[Jlaw]

If you just talk to your attending throughout the day I would be really surprised if he didn't ask you what you want to do...I'm only on my second rotation but both have asked me what I was interested in on the first day just in getting to know you conversation. If you can't even broach the subject until mid rotation then you probably needn't bring it up with this particular attending because if he hasn't asked by that point he doesn't care and won't be much help unfortunately.

 

[operaman]

There's no strategy involved. You're a real grown up. Talk to them like normal human beings. I've never met a surgeon who didn't love to talk about surgery with a student interested in doing it. Let your interest be known! They'll probably let you do more and try to teach you more. Talk to your residents and if they're good they will also try to teach and can help you get some practice sewing/tying/etc.

Any surgeon knows that you don't have time on your surgery clerkship to do research; that's what your psych clerkship is for 🙂

 

[DermViser]

Any surgeon knows that you don't have time on your surgery clerkship to do research; that's what your psych clerkship is for 🙂

 

[Kaustikos]

I'm on surgery right now, and even though it's early in the rotation, so far it's confirmed what I've suspected for a long time: surgery is where I want to be. I let it drop in passing to my attending that I want to be a surgeon, but haven't officially sat down with anyone to discuss it further. When is a good time to do this? The mid-rotation evaluation, or is that too late? I'm a little concerned about having this discussion too early also, because my major deficit is research (i.e., I have none, lol.) I definitely want to do research with the surgery department at my school, but I'm concerned that they'll expect me to jump onto a project during my surgery rotation, and as a non-trad with a family, I'm not sure I could swing this. Thoughts?

Here's what I did: I finished general surgery and was sold. Had my attending evaluate me and he asked me what I wanted to do... I told him he sold me on surgery. He said come talk to him when third year starts. Considering I never expected him to like me or say that... I was swooning.
In the end, just have a sit down during evaluations and tell them. You don't have to do anything asap. Just tell them and hear what they have to say.

I'll also add research isn't necessary for surgery. Just an interest that's obvious. Plus... Research in surgery is easy to get as a medical student.

 

[username456789]

Here's what I did: I finished general surgery and was sold. Had my attending evaluate me and he asked me what I wanted to do... I told him he sold me on surgery. He said come talk to him when third year starts.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I'll also add research isn't necessary for surgery.

That depends very much on your ambitions

 

[Kaustikos]

That depends very much on your ambitions

Well, yeah.. My point was on the desire to do surgery.

Oops. Lol

 

[DermViser]

GuyWhoDoesStuff FTW. Noticed that also.

 

[DermViser]

Oops. Lol

This and getting the wrong sex of the patient. You're off to a good start.

 

[Kaustikos]

This and getting the wrong sex of the patient. You're off to a good start.

Right?
Or maybe I loved third year so much I demanded to be allowed to repeat it again.

 

[evilbooyaa]

If you're interested in general surgery, you don't need a dearth of research unless you want to go to a super competitive academic surgery program.

 

[wanderer]

If you're interested in general surgery, you don't need a dearth of research unless you want to go to a super competitive academic surgery program.

Uhhhh (it's a common mistake, but still).

OP, tell the surgeons often, and try to meet with an adviser or department chair. Try to find reasons to meet with them throughout the year so they get to know you.

 

[username456789]

If you're interested in general surgery, you don't need a dearth of research unless you want to go to a super competitive academic surgery program.

You may want to look up the definition to this word before you wield it again.

 

[DermViser]

If you're interested in general surgery, you don't need a dearth of research unless you want to go to a super competitive academic surgery program.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dearth

 

[evilbooyaa]

You may want to look up the definition to this word before you wield it again.

Derp. No idea what was going through my head at that time. Don't think I've ever used that word before. Point taken.

 

[Kaustikos]

Derp. No idea what was going through my head at that time. Don't think I've ever used that word before. Point taken.

Just use cornucopia instead

 

[DrDrummer]

Just use cornucopia instead

Indeed. Or perhaps a menagerie?