Road Guide to Rotations Myths, mantras, and materials

How to survive your first day You win a lot of brownie points just for being early Plan to double (or 1.5) transportation time If early, read up on a patient or a topic (see resources…) You WILL fumble through a presentation, maybe even the first 20 Review the traditional H&P template prior to your first day Ask your senior resident (or a friendly MS4) to go over it with you prior to rounding

It’s okay to feel bit silly on your first day….

Materials: what to put in your white coat on the first day

0 Colored pens 0 Paper/small notebook 0 Stethoscope 0 Reflex hammer 0 Tuning fork and safety pins (for neuro) 0 Kleenex, money, chapstick 0 Phone (discreetly) RESOURCES: 0 Wards: Pocket Medicine 0 Clinic: 5 minute clinical consult 0 OR: Surgical Recall 0 ASK residents: what source do YOU recommend

Myths and truths of your 3 rd year 0 Come up with an intelligent answer to any question 0 Never use Wikipedia 0 Ask each and every question that comes to mind 0 Classmates are competition 0 There is one best study resource for every rotation

Myths of your 4 th year 0 You absolutely MUST get an “H” in the first rotation of specialty of interest 0 You can ask for letters or rec in the fall 0 You NEED period 5 off 0 Wait as long as possible to take CS and CK 0 It’s NOT OK to be wrong

Mantras 0 Be Interested (Genuinely!) 0 Be Curious 0 Be Early 0 Be Prepared 0 Be Friendly 0 Smile 0 Be HELPFUL, HUMBLE, and QUICK TO FORGIVE 0 Refrain from gossiping about attendings or residents (and patients, obviously!) 0 READ, READ, READ: about your patients, about the next day’s cases, about topics you don’t know

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Misc. Advice 0 Take ownership of your patients! You are responsible for relaying the plan to them and their family! 0 Always introduce yourself and make it clear you are a medical student 0 Read the grading rubrics for each rotation 0 Start studying for shelves earlier rather than later 0 Bring in interesting articles, offer to give short ten minute presentations on topics you think are interesting 0 Always attempt to contribute to your patients’ plans