Heading into clinical year.... any advice?

[fyrelight74]

Just finished up my didactic year and I start my clinical year on Monday. My first rotation is in internal medicine clinic for 4.5 weeks, then internal medicine inpatient for 4.5 weeks, and so on. Any advice for those of us embarking on the clinical portion of our education?

[eliyoussefi]

Listen, watch, learn. You will hopefully see that your wrong more than your right.

[Just Steve]

First pulse you check is your own :-)

[Maverick87]

Be eager to learn and jump into things. Most preceptors are cool and won't bust your balls too much. Start studying for the end of rotation exams early and do a little bit day by day (as opposed to putting it off until the last week). The last part gets harder to do as you go though.

[Acebecker]

Enjoy the safety-net! This is the last time you will be expected to present every single patient to your preceptors... It is a wonderful learning opportunity, so make the most of it. The adage goes: the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Now, there are some stupid questions out there (we've all heard them). But as a clinical student, you are expected to ask a lot of questions to maximize this year. Do so.

 

Lastly - this will likely be one of the (if not THE) fastest paced years of your life - it will be a whirldwind, but it is what you make of it. You can hate the pace, or embrace it. I'd recommend embracing it and enjoying the intensity. You'll meet great people, form some lasting relationships, and by the end you'll be ready to practice medicine. It is awesome! So, enjoy it.

 

Andrew