Ptothea 10 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Should I take him up on his offer? Could this potentially be a good experience for me/ something that would boost my application a bit? I'm not too interested in cardiothoracic surgery or surgery in general for that matter but it seems like it could be pretty cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Friction 14 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Whether it helps you or not for PA school, I would be scrubbing in before the Doc had a chance to finish his sentence. That would be awesome to watch, and who knows, maybe it'll become something you do want to practice down the line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paprospect24 13 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I would not hesitate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcdavis 198 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 To be given a chance to gaze into the thoracic cavity (assuming he is not doing minimally invasive techniques), to see an actual beating heat, to watch the pump operate ( assuming on pump operation), is an opportunity very very few people ever get. Take it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatChecko 326 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Um yeah... How many times will you get to do this in your life? Don't ever turn down these opportunities. Cultivate these relationships. Even if cardiology/thoracic surg isn't your cup of tea, it's who you know, not what you know, that gets you places in this world. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greenmood 245 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I don't even know why this is a question. Why wouldn't you do it? I really don't get it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
futurePAS 11 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 What a stupid, pointless post. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tariesen 16 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Most amazing thing I've ever seen to this day. Do not hesitate to take him up on his offer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
awhite1208 13 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I can't even believe you would have to ask this...I would be jumping on any opportunity like this in a heart beat! I would take it as an honor that that physician asked you to experience something so amazing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gducky5 30 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I can't even believe you would have to ask this...I would be jumping on any opportunity like this in a heart beat! I would take it as an honor that that physician asked you to experience something so amazing. Seriously.... What else would you be doing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just Steve 69 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 The more exposure you have to the culture of medicine, the better. They eat their young in the OR and ask for seconds. If you show up there playing "only here to boost my application" attitude, you will have a miserable time. I highly recommend you re visit what can be gained from attending the surgery. If you can't find anything positive, you may want to re examine what you hope to gain from medicine in general. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
generalfluff 21 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Also, if you scrub (a pain to do) in properly, and the doctor thinks you're ready, you even get the chance to hold an actual, beating heart. Thick skin though, some surgeons you meet can be the most temperamental, drama que . . . err, most "wonderful" people you'll ever meet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
delco714 463 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'm fairly sure they wouldn't scrub in... seriously? They have cameras in ct surg or suites, so that's what they'll be watching. Enjoy the 4+ hour surgery! It'll tell you if that field's right for you or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
generalfluff 21 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'd say it depends on the facility. Some have allowed me to touch the heart, after scrubbing in properly, others may not. At spinal procedures done with a microscope, with arthroscopic procedures, etc. you never need to scrub in if you're just observing. You are right, most of the anatomy is appreciated with a live video, especially if it's a minimally invasive procedure. Still, the experience of actually touching a functioning organ is quite breathtaking. I wouldn't go so far though as to decide whether or not surgery is right for you after just one experience like this. It can be overwhelming at first, or even boring when you have to observe several of these in a row. Try it a few times at PA school, and at your rotations, to see if the specialty might just be right for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Febrifuge 537 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Not to be rude, but why is this in the Professional PA section? Also, and yes this might be a little rude, it doesn't matter if you think you might be interested in cardiothoracic surgery or not -- not every last little thing you do can, or could, or should be perfectly tailored to your imaginary application. Don't be that guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Administrator rev ronin 4,409 Posted September 4, 2013 Administrator Share Posted September 4, 2013 Not to be rude, but why is this in the Professional PA section? Also, and yes this might be a little rude, it doesn't matter if you think you might be interested in cardiothoracic surgery or not -- not every last little thing you do can, or could, or should be perfectly tailored to your imaginary application. Don't be that guy. +1, but I'll add that even asking the question shows that the OP is either insufficiently motivated, insufficiently intelligent, or purely trolling. No one who is legitimately interested in any sort of career in medicine should even ask. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mjl1717 13 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 +1, but I'll add that even asking the question shows that the OP is either insufficiently motivated, insufficiently intelligent, or purely trolling. No one who is legitimately interested in any sort of career in medicine should even ask. Totally agree! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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