Why don't the Majority Of Residents Join SDN?

[BLADEMDA]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Mille seems to think only 10% of Residents visit the SDN here. Why is that? Why wouldn't a Gas Resident at lease stop in here from time to time?
A resource like this should get 90% plus participation.

 

[usnavdoc]

I know there are some lurkers here but I have been really surprised at how many med studs and residents have no idea that SDN exists.

 

[Gimlet]

I know there are some lurkers here but I have been really surprised at how many med studs and residents have no idea that SDN exists.

Agreed. Even more people know of it vaguely from when they were applying to med school, but have since forgotten about it and have no idea of what a tremendous resource the resident forums (esp. anesthesiology) have grown to become.

 

[huktonfonix]

Its probably less than 10%. I've always found this a great place to learn about other ways to do things since my (and I suspect most) programs tend to have a bias toward technique.

 

[lvspro]

I am extremely vocal to everyone about SDN. Everyone I encounter from student to PD knows I visit, and post here. I also give everyone my identity so they can see how this place works. I also make it a point to show people how to get here on the internet, as well as how much of a great resource this is. Even so, not very many people know about this place, and I get the feeling that 10% may be the right # ofr people that know this place.

 

[BLADEMDA]

10% is terrible. A campaign by one resident in each program is needed. All it takes is a nice "flier" by toughlife explaining the SDN. The fact that it is FREE and only takes minimal effort to join should really help.

Any ideas how to spread the word at the Programs about SDN? I FIRMLY believe the future of our specialty is IMPROVED with this online community.

Blade

 

[rsgillmd]

I didn't know it existed until I randomly did a google search about epidurals (I forget the exact topic now) and one of the hits was on SDN.

One of the residents in my program was posting on here earlier.

But I agree, each resident in their program should bring up the topic. This is a good place to hear different opinions and discuss topics with some anonymity.

 

[jetproppilot]

Agreed. Even more people know of it vaguely from when they were applying to med school, but have since forgotten about it and have no idea of what a tremendous resource the resident forums (esp. anesthesiology) have grown to become.

Most med students/residents today are internet savvy......if they knew the interactions we had on this forum....educational, funny, intriguing, philisophical, some happy, some sad....

I'm sure they'd be compelled to come here.

All that needs to happen is for the word to be disseminated about the wealth of info here.

"Student Doctor Network" does not infer, in its name, frequent interaction about anesthesia and life in general between med students, residents, and attendings... so unless they were told of the intricacies of this forum in particular I don't know why they'd be compelled to stop in.

Again, the word has to get out.

That this forum is special.

 

[periopdoc]

I can only speak for myself, but I suspect there are a few others in my position.

I knew about SDN in med school, but primarily visited the med stud forums and the Gyn forum since that is where I started out. When I moved to Baltimore for internship, I completely abandoned internet forums due to lack of time.

I rediscovered SDN when doing a google search for some anesthesia topic and linking to a cold case file discussion. I probably lurked for more than a year partly due to confidentiality concerns and partly due to time concerns (I tend to get addicted to internet forums).

Ultimately, I decided that time spent here could be very worthwhile in terms of collecting my random thoughts on anesthesia and presenting them in a coherent, logical way to a group of peers who can critique them. Hey maybe I could get academic project credit for doing this if I post enough 😎

I like the idea of advertising to residents who may not already know about SDN and encouraging participation of those who do. I might have joined 6 months earlier if I had had the encouragement from some of my resident peers.

pod

 

[TheSandMan]

10% is terrible. A campaign by one resident in each program is needed. All it takes is a nice "flier" by toughlife explaining the SDN. The fact that it is FREE and only takes minimal effort to join should really help.

Any ideas how to spread the word at the Programs about SDN? I FIRMLY believe the future of our specialty is IMPROVED with this online community.

Blade

I think this is a great idea. A generic flier that is anesthesia resident/attending specific which we can download off the forum, maybe a sticky. It would be quick and easy for folks to put up a flier or two at their program.

 

[pseudoknot]

Most of my med student classmates aren't even on the site. Most of those who have heard of it think it's only for premeds. I'm surprised (happily!) there are so many residents and attendings on it given the name and lack of marketing.

 

[VentdependenT]

I'd say about 5% of the folks in my program go on SDN and thats when I was heavily involved AND they knew I was.

 

[pgg]

But I agree, each resident in their program should bring up the topic. This is a good place to hear different opinions and discuss topics with some anonymity.

For those people who value their pseudo-anonymity here, advertising to their colleagues and supervisors that they frequent this forum is a good way to blow their cover to the only people that really matter.

I also suspect that we, as the oddball nerds and dorks who think an online chat room about work is fun and cool, are in a much smaller than 10% minority. This place is like the AV club for grownups. 🙂

 

[jetproppilot]

For those people who value their pseudo-anonymity here, advertising to their colleagues and supervisors that they frequent this forum is a good way to blow their cover to the only people that really matter.

I also suspect that we, as the oddball nerds and dorks who think an online chat room about work is fun and cool, are in a much smaller than 10% minority. This place is like the AV club for grownups. 🙂

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


youre right.

 

[pgg]

I'd say about 5% of the folks in my program go on SDN and thats when I was heavily involved AND they knew I was.

Vent! Welcome back.

 

[BLADEMDA]

For those people who value their pseudo-anonymity here, advertising to their colleagues and supervisors that they frequent this forum is a good way to blow their cover to the only people that really matter.

I also suspect that we, as the oddball nerds and dorks who think an online chat room about work is fun and cool, are in a much smaller than 10% minority. This place is like the AV club for grownups. 🙂

You can post a few fliers in the lounge when no one is looking😀

 

[RxBoy]

Its great when you're a MS4 and understand issues like the match, different programs, fellowships, anesthesia politics, and even practice information better than the residents. But at the same time, its sad.... thats why SDN needs to be promoted. I talked a little about it at our last anesthesia interest group meeting. I think MS's around the country should do it too.

Not to sound like a "more you know" GI Joe commercial... but the stronger we stick together, the safer/stronger the field grows.. especially at a time when MD anesthesia skates on very thin ice.

 

[killerleaf]

why not address it at the ASA? isn't there a resident only type session? something alongs the lines of "I heard that there was a really cool site..."

 

[lvspro]

I'd say about 5% of the folks in my program go on SDN and thats when I was heavily involved AND they knew I was.

Welcome back Vent... we missed ya man.👍

 

[BLADEMDA]

Toughlife is working on a "sticky" for a flier. It would be helpful if one or two Residents per program would make copies and post it in the lounge (at night or the weekend when nobody is around).

Blade

 

[GassiusClay]

I hope Blade will address the issues of all gas residents at the upcoming ASA meeting. I think current physicians need to lobby on our behalf as much as we need to make a point.

Next, get ASA to ban CRNAs from the meeting. If they really think they don't need us, then well, don't show up to the ASA. Go to a big AANA meeting.

 

[lvspro]

Toughlife is working on a "sticky" for a flier. It would be helpful if one or two Residents per program would make copies and post it in the lounge (at night or the weekend when nobody is around).

Blade

This would be good.

 

[videolectures]

I have learnt alot from this site...primarily from the attendings (Jet, Mil, Plankton etc). Often when there is a hot top I basically scroll down until one of the mentioned names come up...usually its Jet with his caps that catches my eye.

Just wanted to say...promoting the site to resident collegues as a "chat forum" will prob have the negative connotation as being a waste of time...when time is already a scarce commodity in residency.

Not sure what to highlight and promote...but spreading the word of a chat site/discussion forum is difficult in a professional arena.

The site is a gem.
All the best

 

[videolectures]

BTW...one constructive critism I have about this site...home page is rather stale and boring...should invest alittle in the home page of "scutwork.com" homepage...make it somewhat more flashy and appealing.

Its been the same for ages. Just an idea.

 

[911_turbo]

I originally found this site and scutwork when applying for residency. I sort of lost track of it after that, but I am back again. I suspect this is true for others as well.

 

[Winged Scapula]

"Official" SDN Flyers/pamphlets do exist.

They were written for the pre-med and med student crowd, but could easily be reformatted if so desired to focus on GME (and beyond).

 

[lvspro]

"Official" SDN Flyers/pamphlets do exist.

They were written for the pre-med and med student crowd, but could easily be reformatted if so desired to focus on GME (and beyond).

Again... this would be good, and I'd be happy to post for residents, and incoming applicants/interviewees.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Again... this would be good, and I'd be happy to post for residents, and incoming applicants/interviewees.

I spoke with Lee; he is dredging some up and we'll take a look at them and see which format would work the best and then edit for students and residents. They will probably be available as a PDF link to print out as that would provide the easiest access for everyone.

 

[nutmegs]

Just beacuse residents are internet savvy doesn't mean they like using it recreationally. Most of my colleagues don't.