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Session 37
In today’s episode, we talk about life as a medical student on the wards. We talk about what it’s like to be a new 3rd-year medical student. There is no summer between 2nd and 3rd year. This is to match you up with the calendar of the residents coming in.
As a 3rd-year medical student, you move into a different type of learning: you learn on your feet as opposed to being in a classroom. It’s a transition into the clinical environment full time. It’s a big change, but remember that you’re not alone. You’re going to have a team of resident physicians backing you.
Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.
Things to expect when you start on the wards:
- Days start early with rounding, which refers to a conversation about the admitted patients (sick rounds, walk rounds, pre-rounds). Be ready to wake up at 5 am or earlier.
- Built-in, dedicated lectures and didactics
- Morning reports
- Academic conferences
- Chief’s rounds
- Pimping: PIMPing is an acronym that stands for “Put In My Place.” Medical students will be asked by residents and attending physicians—but don’t be scared if you don’t know the answers.
Doing pre-rounds as a third-year:
- Collecting vitals and seeing patients for the first time: You need to gather the information to present to your residents and attending.
- Talking to the patient and doing a patient exam by yourself
- Checking with the nurse and checking the chart for earlier notes
- Checking in with the people who were on-call overnight
What your clinical grade is made up of:
- Presentation with your attending physician
- Empathy and bedside manner
- Formulation of your assessment
- Your treatment plans
Various exams you will be taking:
- Step 2 CK exams based off your Shelf Exams or Levels
- Shelf exams: For each required rotation, you will have an exam given at the end of the rotation covering the entire topic like internal medicine or surgery
- Associated oral examination
Tips to do well on your third-year Shelf Exams:
- Don’t save studying for the end of the rotation.
- Read every night when you go home.
- Show the people you’re working with that you’re actively learning and picking up knowledge.
- Read as you go. When you admit a patient with a particular disease, read about that condition, so it will stick with you and you’re able to integrate everything together.
Third-year surgical rotations:
- Being able to go to the OR and getting experience in the OR
- Look ahead to find out the surgeries for the next day.
- Learn about the operations in advance.
- Scrub in (and respect the scrub nurse)
Possible questions the attending might ask you:
- What do you need to look out for?
- Which nerves and arteries are in the way?
- What things may cause a problem during the surgery?
Some more pieces of advice for new 3rd-year medical students:
- Don’t be a gunner.
- Remember medicine is a team sport. Be a helpful member of the team. Take on any task to help out your team.
- That said, say “no” to scut work (when people ask you to bring them coffee, or anything that has no educational value).
- Polish your presentations. Practice at home.
- Don’t fall asleep during rounds.
- Be careful how often you use your devices. Pay attention.
- If they send you home, leave together with other medical students as a team. You don’t have to stay.
- Have something to read with you on the wards (pocket guides for different specialties)
- Always bring a snack with you.
- Get as much sleep as you can.
Links and Other Resources:
- Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT.
- Related episode: What Do the First Two Years of Medical School Look Like?
- Related episode: Top 7 Things You Should Know as a Medical Student.
- Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)!
