Family Medicine (6 weeks)
previous rotations: Obstetrics & Gynecology
daily schedule:
Monday 7am – 1230pm
Tuesday 7am – 6pm
Wednesday 7am – 1230pm
Thursday 7am – 6pm
Friday 8am – 2pm
actual daily schedule:
pretty close to above. be sure to show up early. you never know who rotated through before you and how much of a good impression that might make.
what to wear:
white coat + nametag + whatever “business casual” means to you. the attending i work with doesn’t wear a shirt and tie, but i’m sure you could if you want. ladies, i’d recommend keeping necklines high-ish, skirts long-ish, and shoes non-stiletto-ish. but that’s just me. wash your hair. avoid perfumes & colognes. simple stuff like that.
what’s in my pockets:
- stethoscope
- small notebook with a list of things to look up later
- pen
- phone with Epocrates Drug Reference
- Maxwell’s Reference
patient notes you will be asked to write:
- prescriptions
- that’s about it. your attending may avoid having you write in the chart and you should welcome the challenge. you won’t always have a piece of paper with H&P questions in front of you. start working from scratch and the practice should come in handy later.
what to study:
each night i have a dozen or so things to look up. study whatever you don’t know. which, in my case, feels like a lot.
a few unforgettable things learned along the way:
- kids shouldn’t get the H1N1 vaccine because it’s definitely some sort of conspiracy.
- people only die of lung cancer after they quit smoking.
curious things other students do:
there aren’t any other students on this rotation with me. i’m the one doing all the screwing up for these 6 weeks. it’s fun.
October 10th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
just want to say i am on family medicine inpatient right now and i do a LOT.
i do H&Ps, i write daily progress notes, i write prescriptions, i write hospital orders (both of which are immediately signed by my attending).
i am given the opportunity to do ABGs, assist with LPs, wound care…
so, i wouldn’t say ‘that’s about it’, after 1-2 things, as if this is standard. i also know my experience is a little unique, but i think it definitely depends on where you are at, who your attending is, etc.
what do you do next?
October 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
i’m not in a hospital. i’m in a clinic.
there are no daily progress notes or hospital orders. i do H&Ps on every patient, but don’t write anything in the chart. i do my verbal presentation to my attending from my notes.
the heading of that section was:
“patient notes you will be asked to write”
not:
“things you will get to do or see”
congrats on the ABGs, LPs and wound care. i cut off a cast and some warts last week. exciting stuff!
also, i don’t write about things as if they “are standard”. i am writing about my experiences in MUA rotations. thank you for sharing your unique experiences. you should have a blog!
October 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I’ve always wondered why med school students walk around with stethoscopes around their necks ALL THE TIME. Is this a universal sign for “I am a doctor in training?” or do you really have to randomly listen to hearts and lungs all the time, and can’t be without it for even a moment?
October 11th, 2009 at 6:13 am
I think the whole thing is that you want to be prepared should the opportunity present itself. I know after I pass this stupid exam that I will want to have mine with me so that if the opportunity ever presents itself I will be ready to hear whatever they want me to hear. Nice summary of this rotation with wonderful hints for all the MUAers that aren’t out here because mom and dad want us to be!!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:15 am
sarah – i use my stethoscope with every patient.
but i prefer to keep it in my pocket. around the neck just bugs me. : )
October 11th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I guess I thought the day of the stethoscope was over, and you just hooked them up to a machine to determine all you need to know…but now that I think about it, that doesn’t really make sense :)
I like the fact that you keep it in your pocket..I find that much more dignified for some odd reason!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Concerned reader,
Pretty sure she made that comment tongue in cheek, and secondly, as great as Jen is, she is hardly the “closest thing” us readers have to a “knowledgeable authority”. I think you just misinterpreted what she was saying, that’s all.
(and she does have a disclaimer on her blog about this type of thing anyway).
October 12th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
[...] Family Medicine (6 weeks) [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
sarah: heck, even as a paramedic in training, I wore my stethoscope all the time… :) Much more accurate than the machines, so totally necessary.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Just adding my two cents…
YES, you should have your stethoscope with you at ALL times. in EVERY rotation I’ve had, it was needed. You need to be able to listen to the heart, lungs, bowel, carotids, etc. at a moments notice. It is an essential item for any doc or med student! I prefer to keep it around my neck since my pockets are always bulging with other items! :)
October 14th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
well i’ve been educated, thanks! I always thought it was more of a symbol than it was something practical. I’m glad I’ve got the lowdown now.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
February 10th, 2010 at 8:05 am
[...] previous rotations: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Family Medicine [...]