Students Currently in Clinicals (in the US)

[StudentAUC.]

The school doesn't give us much info on what life is like during clinicals, so could you share what a typical day in clinicals is like. Also, could you put the structure of the rotoations ( grading, exams, lectures (are there any/many?) length of the rotations, how much you're allowed to do on your own, etc.)

[Skipper]

the way you act on this forum...i doubt anyone will respond to your question.....

the skipper

[msbookite]

ok i'm gonna go on a limb and say it...

the way HE acts!?!?!?!?!

:wink:

ms

[teratos]

Enough, please. This is nearing personal attacks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is a good question, and I'm sure that other people are interested in hearing if there are any responses. G

[AUCMD2006]

i'l post next week. i agree that the school does nothing to introduce us into clinical set up otehr than the info sessions on filling out the paperwork....but if you read the student clinical handbook its all in there and each site has orientation and theri own rules so i don't know what else they could do.....we already keep in touch with the class ahead via email so what else do you need?

i have my orientation next monday......

[YODA]

i'l post next week. i agree that the school does nothing to introduce us into clinical set up otehr than the info sessions on filling out the paperwork....but if you read the student clinical handbook its all in there and each site has orientation and theri own rules so i don't know what else they could do.....we already keep in touch with the class ahead via email so what else do you need?

i have my orientation next monday......

where can i get my hands on a clincal handbook

Later
YODA

[AUCMD2006]

you get it during your 5th semester meeting, getting it before would be useless....many don't bother readung it though then complain about not gettingt this and that done by meio....

[MedicLACo]

Well, I will do my best to answer your question.

I am at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. Other sites may differ but this is how my clinical experience went.

You basically start out with the cores. I would try to get medicine done first so that you can do electives while waiting to get your other cores done.

Surgery is usually the hard one to get. You do your cores and then you pick your electives half way through your third year. Try to rotate where you want to do residency in whatever specialty. It is a little difficult to deal with MEIO when it comes to Electives...but it can be done if you are aggressive.

As far as the clinical goes...well you are expected to function at the level of a medical student....which means

You need to know how to read an X-ray, interpret an EKG, interpret lab studies. You should know how to examine a patient and write a thorough and concise SOAP note, which goes in the chart. You should be able to present to the attending in a logical manner and have read up on the conditions that your patients have.

It is a good idea to do a little research on meds and medical conditions if you are not familiar with them as you will be asked. YOu arent really pimped, but you are held accountable. for knowing how to treat your patient. You do not act independently, as you always report to an intern...but they do not babysit you. If you dont know how to do these things, you wont be allowed touch patients and will end up being the scut monkey.

I will give you a brief overview of rotation life. You start your day usually around 7 with morning rounds at about 8 with the attending. You probably should arrive around 6 if you are dedicated and know the whole teams patients and get some good study time in on your topics. You end rounds and go to noon conference 3-4 days a week, which is an hour and usually catered. In the afternoon is when you make sure and follow up on all the procedures and orders on your patients. Around 3 pM there is a student lecture for 3rd year students at KMC. It is given by the residents and usually interesting. EKG case studies are once a week as well. You leave around four and the rest of the day is yours.

I worked part time as a paramedic in the area and caught up on my reading while on the ambulance. It isnt recommended to work unless you can study. I spent two hours a day studying for step II during my 3rd year. There is a library with many references available and lots of journals. The rest of the time is yours. You usually have at least two to three weekends off a month to get crazy!!

As far as grading, AUC sends evals to your residents and they grade you subjectively. This combined with the shelf score determines your grade.
Electives and fourth year go by real quick...especially with interviews for residency. I would recommend taking step two after you have finished your cores immediately.

OK, I hope this has answered some of your questions

[StudentAUC.]

Thanks so much! That was very informative and exactly what I was looking for.