Hey
My friends that are not familiar with the way medical school works ask me what medical students do while working at hospitals during their clinical years. Interestingly, I found that I have no idea how to answer that question except to say follow doctors around. Can someone please fill me in what a student actually does on his/her rotation. Thanks

gellerf

You dazzle everyone with your knowledge of pathology, immunology and make them wish they had time to go back and open up a basic science book (if you're a good med student!)

In reality, once you know how to perform an interview, an exam and retrieve a good patient history - you're almost there. I spent A LOT of time with my own patients, getting to know them very well.
In short, a med student arrives to see his patients, check the labs and check in with the resident. Shortly after, the team (with attending) 'rounds' on all the patients, walking up and down the halls together while each person presents his or her patients to the group. Pertitnent teaching points are made, assignments for short talks are made (usually given in the hallway in 5 minutes on the next day), and general learning takes place about the diagnosis and management of different conditions. As awful as rounds are sometimes (especially for those of us who star in the Short Attention Span Theatre), you really learn a lot standing there listening to case presentations.

There are lectures during the remainder of the day, library time, study time and afternoon sign-out rounds, when possible problems that may occur overnight are discussed so the one person covering everyone's patients all night will be prepared for what comes up.

A few years ago I made a list of things my favorite med students did (I was an intern). Here are a few.
- Performs a reliable exam: if I ask how Mr. Smith's leg looks, he tells me in relevant terms - if he hasn't looked, he tells me he hasn't looked.
- Knows Mr. Smith is hypokalemic before I do.
- If I can't answer a question he asks me, he goes to look it up and then teaches me!
- Loves his job
- Listens and learns while other students and residents present patients to the attending - and then makes his presentation better every day by being such an astute listener. (and not repeating the mistakes they make)

I've had some great med students, and some bad med students. The worst???? A student who was so unreliable (I don't know if he just didn't get it or if he was lazy), I cringed as he presented the patient to the attending because half of what he said was inaccurate (even med dosages!!). It made me look really bad (as an intern), and I had to go over each case bit by bit before rounds with him. It would have been faster to do it myself. It was an awful month.

F

__________________
Faith Dillard, MD

“Well behaved women rarely make history."
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Dear Dr. Dillard
Thank you for the information. Now I will actually be able to make a medical student's job at the hospital sound important.

Felix

A great med student is a gift from God for an intern. No joke - they can be so important if they try hard.

Faith

__________________
Faith Dillard, MD

“Well behaved women rarely make history."
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Does that mean they are a gift from Satin if otherwise?

__________________
Finally beat Super Mario Bros within 7 mins.

as above

what did the "House of God" say about medical students?

something like " show me a student that doesn't at least triple my work, and that is a fantastic student"

what each of has to never forget is how it felt to be a student, (where goal number 1 is to stay out of the way and goal number 2 is to learn.) and have patience and understanding , and explain things how you would have liked to have them explained, where we were in the short coat

Great book! Just finished it a coupla weeks ago.