I'm a fourth semester on the island and I'm coming to Miami next semester. I've been hearing a lot of stories and I'm really concerned. I heard that 60% of the class failed the physical exam! Is this for real? Can anyone hook me up with some solid info? What's the deal with these TAs? Do they really run the fifth semester? What else do I need to know about fifth? We're all curious down here on the island.

I haven't heard anywhere near 60%, but I have heard of several students who have been mandated to remediation. That doesn't mean they failed the 5th semester, it just means they stay one extra week and perfect their physical exam before being officially passed. Nobody will be able to give you a "solid figure" since the stats aren't annouced publically and the last physical exams were this weekend.

The TA's do not run the show here. They do serve as the academic support service though. They run PE review sessions, paper review sessions, and other such tutoring activities. There are a LOT of TA's and they are generally very helpful and always available if you need information. Some students don't like particular TA's, but most will admit that the TA's have been quite helpful throughout the semester.

5th semester is a busy time. You are in clinical experiences, case studies (every week, very good), and lectures (every week). You are also writing patient write-ups, and trying to study for the USMLE. Start practicing your physical exam during the 1st or second week. By the time you have your exam, you will know it in your sleep.

MitchDC

__________________
MitchDC/MD
RUSM 2006 Graduate

I think there is a lot more failures than Mitch will admitt. Yes, the students who fail the physical can attempt to remediate, but from what I here the pass rate on remediation is low. Students that fail other things do not get the oppurtunity to remediate. Last semester DR. F admitts to failing 26 students, and another 26 or so had to remediate (unsure how many of these ended up passing). This probably equates to about 20% of the class either failing, or spending time they should be studying for USMLE still here b/c of him.

I feel there is too much responsibility given to the ta's. They grade our papers, essays on exams, and physical exam. Remeber many of the ta's are only a semester in front of us, and just here before they start their rotations.

In terms of my experience here in Miami it has been a good one in part to the great doctors my partner and I got to work with. We got to examine many patients and scrub in on a couple of surgeries. However, when it comes to Dr. ********* and a couple of TA's (Tom & Dr. Zalocha)it might leave a bad taste in your mouth due to their excessive rudeness and cockiness. The TA's are given too much responsibility as far as grading the write ups and exams as the previous post states. Forget about the write ups you did for Dr. Sharma and most of the physical exam in ICM. You will re-learn it here in Miami, the ********* way. My best advice is to be patient, don't take anything personally, and practice,practice, practice your physical exam from the get go...it will pay off. Another thing don't be late to large lectures or small group sessions so as to avoid the wrath of Dr. *********. Steer clear of him as much as you can and you will be fine. If you need any more advice or other questions to be answered please PM me.

Its near the end here in Miami. ********* is totally opposite the rumor mill "bad" guy. Hes works seemingly day and night and so does his staff. Total dedication to Ross and its students. Its been a wonderful semester for me and Ive learned a lot here. Youre required to study on your own from a listing of topics he hands out at the beginning of the semester. The list is very long./

The pass rate is quite high even on the physical exams. Everybody that wants to pass does so. You can stay after the final date of the semester and find out if youve failed a certain portion of the course and rememdiate it by spending extra time down here. On the physical exam failures ********* will personally demonstrate to you how to do the portion youve failed, you re do it and pass. So make sure you stick around after the final and find out your individual grades. Remember, you can fail the course if you fail even one segement of the course.

Everything counts, including that test thats given Day #1. So study for that thing. Sure they say not, but this fellow Dr.F has a really good memory, he know everbody by name and knows how you are doing and if your effort and accomplishments are adequate to procede on to clinicals. This is a very busy semester. Sure lots of going places, but remember, that list of subjects, youl need to get on to that long list and finish it. There is no time for goofing off here at all.

On that paper he requires for your patient physical, really put the effort into that thing. Most of this is understanding the terminology and if you do not understand the splitting of hairs in this regard then youl fail this paper A lot do, and then they rememdiate with another patient, the is help to be had on the paper too.

On negitive thing ive noticed here is the really nasty tone of the TA's. Who do they think they are anyhow? Most dont know much more than us if even that. They see Dr. F and some of the other high level people making remarks and they think its macho to act like in that manner. Well, Dr F has a big job here and is a full fledged MD and Physician and is the head of the program and I can see where its a tiring job and he gets a bit unedge handling so many students. Students do all sorts of annoying things, comming to class late, eating in class and so on. Sure this does cause trouble with him. But these TA's somehow need to be stopped, its not ethical one some of their episodes. Its very disgusting how they act in their smart alec ways. Not all again but a lot of them do.

So basically, study during the interm before the 5th sem, getting ready for that first day test. A low grade on that is a bad start , everything counts, even the dress code, Professionalism counts, no blue jeans or sweat shirts ever in the Ross building in Miami. Shirt and tie for me . Women dress conservitively. And dont forget the badge on the white coat.

Hope this helps you 4th sem. Again, this is a very very busy semester packed with topics to study and Dr. F is readying you for clinicals.

first day test?

Yes, on the first day of the 5th semester you take a Pre-test. This is a sample of what you should know or learn during the semester. It is not graded, but is kept in your file and considered if your FINAL grade falls on the edge.

MitchDC

__________________
MitchDC/MD
RUSM 2006 Graduate

How can we be tested on what we WILL learn in 5th semester? What topics in the "we should know" category will be tested?

I partly agree with Michigander about 5th semester. If you work hard - you'll pass and you'll learn a lot. Dr. ********* and Dr. Coutinho seem to be at the office 24 hours/day and are always hustling to make sure our academic and clinical experiences are maximized.

I disagree about the T.A.'s. I think they are the glue which hold the AICM course together and we wouldn't learn as much as we have without them. I'm grateful for their hard work and dedication. Many students I speak with here agree, unfortunately readers get a certain type of "selection bias" by only hearing from students who voice their complaints on the forum.

Unlike what was insinuated here before, Dr. ********* doesn't FAIL students - as we all know, it is the students who do a fine job at that on their own. He does expect a LOT out of us - as will our residents, attendings, and PATIENTS. Its about time we get used to that.

While the faculty in Dominica was relatively easy on us if we didn't know something, many clinical faculty (or residents) in US hospitals won't be that way. When we are made to look like pre-schoolers in front of our student colleagues (or even patients), complaining about sarcasm won't do any good (in fact, it may make it worse). That is the way medical education is now and has been for many years. In fact, a week or two ago in my small group Dr. Countinho explained this - we will be put in the hot seat and will likely be embarassed from time to time. The best thing we can do is to "jump through the hoops", study what we didn't know, and be ready for it the next time.

The TA's won't be the same next semester. In fact, they will likely be students from our class which are used and abused out of stress, frustration, or whatever else. Life isn't perfect or easy, and the TA's aren't either. However, I think the program is a lot better because of them and the hard work they invest in our futures.

Just my opinion on this matter.

MitchDC

__________________
MitchDC/MD
RUSM 2006 Graduate

yes, people fail the physical exam, they did it when i was there 3 years ago, and they will do it now. the thing you need to remember is that you are no longer looking at soemone who got 5EC to be a patient for you. you are seeing reall people, and have real attendings, who will tear you up, and leave you crying if you dont knwo your exam and info down pat. dr ********* gets a lot of crap, and yes, we gave it to him too, but when you are in clincials with students from other schools, you will appreciate his teaching greatly. you will see that the other 3rd years are behind on this part of their training compared to us. and when you are dealing with real pateinst, and real bosses, you will appreciate him also.