Which Elective Pre-Third Year?

[stiffany]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So at my school students can end up with electives before starting any of the required clerkships. I'm currently trying to decide which to take and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. My options are pediatric EM, adult pulmonology, women's health (outpt), or being part of the medicine side of the liver transplant group. My first required clerkship is internal medicine. I currently feel very clueless about third year so I'm thinking a medicine oriented elective would be great, but I'm worried about taking something on that's too painful (like liver transplant) since I have the four hardest (at least in terms of hours) clerkships back to back till Christmas.

Any thoughts?

 

[TexasPhysician]

Strictly my opinion:
Do either Peds EM or Adult Pulmonology. Decide based on whether you plan to treat mainly adults or kids in residency.

Liver transplant will be horrible unless you love surgery.
Women's health you should get plenty of in ob/gyn

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

So at my school students can end up with electives before starting any of the required clerkships. I'm currently trying to decide which to take and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. My options are pediatric EM, adult pulmonology, women's health (outpt), or being part of the medicine side of the liver transplant group. My first required clerkship is internal medicine. I currently feel very clueless about third year so I'm thinking a medicine oriented elective would be great, but I'm worried about taking something on that's too painful (like liver transplant) since I have the four hardest (at least in terms of hours) clerkships back to back till Christmas.

Any thoughts?

I'd say that if you take the liver transplant elective, you will be best prepared for your IM clerkship - you will be dealing with pretty sick patients and will get comfortable with them as a result. However, your point is a good one that if you have 4 hard back to back rotations you might be pretty wiped out by Christmas.

I would recommend either liver transplant or adult pulm - Peds EM often ends up resembling an urgent care clinic, and something outpatient like womens' health won't prepare you well for third year (which is largely inpatient).