#50things

HARK. Interview season is upon us!

And my old littles gave me the great idea to come up with a big ol’ list of questions the interviewing 4th year can use to find the answers they need about certain program OR give ideas that a 4th year may not have thought of at all.

I hope this helps anyone who has been dreading the “any questions for us?” moment. It’s not everything you can ask, it may not even highlight your program priorities, but hopefully you can get something out of it!

Is there any standard curriculum which the residents follow?

When do residents have to take step 3 by?

Is there any expectation to take step 3 before residency starts?

How are morning reports/grand rounds/resident lectures held?

Does the program support simulators and simulated learning?

Does the program have a sim center?

Is the in-training exam used by the program in any way?

When do the residents take the in-training exam at this program?

What is the percentage of specialty board pass rates?

What is the fellowship match rate/job placement rate?

What are you expected responsibilities on the floor?

What kind of call do you do as an intern vs as a senior?

What are you looking for a in a resident?

What do you value in a team?

How often are you working with seniors vs other interns vs attendings?

What fellowship programs does this program offer?

What are the responsibilities of the fellows toward residents, if any?

How are mentors approached?

How does continuity clinic run through the program?

How many electives are offered per year?

What specialties does the hospital not have?

Which specialties are done at an outside hospital/system if any?

What are some hallmarks that make this program different from others?

How does this program participate in resident wellness?

Are their any resources if a resident feels they need help?

Is there support when there is a loss during patient care?

Does the hospital have any associated medical schools?

What are the 3rd and 4th year med student expectations?

What are the resident expectations to the medical students?

How many fourth years are around during audition season?

How is the schedule organized (how many floor, clinic, etc months)?

Are schedules flexible in any way?

If someone needs to miss a day or call, how is that rectified?

How are vacation requested, decided and divided?

Is there a holiday schedule?

How does the program approach QI projects?

What are some standout QI projects from the residents?

What are the research expectations for each year?

What resources does the program provide for research?

Are the residents provided food and drink (stipend/resident lounge supply)?

Are the residents provided scrubs?

Do you get white coat replacements or fleeces/jackets?

What is the expected attire on the floor, clinic, etc?

What is the parking situation?  

Are there any stipends for moving, study material, exams or conferences?

What is the average cost of living in that area?

Where do most of the residents live?

Do you need to be in close proximity to the hospital?

How do you think a program of this size facilitates the learning environment?

Do the residents hang out together?

I didn’t describe why someone would ask these so if you’re interested, don’t know what something means, or want elaboration feel free to send an ask.

Go forth! Be strong and confident!

Back at it again with these lists.

And it had been a minute. Who knew the day would come when I would be done with med school. But I know interviews are rolling so it’s important to be able to answer the question “do you have any questions?” Rather than sit and shake your head, fearing the worst, I’ve complied a list of questions for anyone to use based on my hindsight. 

In my best attempt to stay neutral, I hope this big list can help you stay informed, learn what you need to and look good. There are plenty of things missing, but this is pretty good start. 

What is the learning style is used at this school (PBL, traditional, combo, systems)?

What does the usual day of a first year look like? Second year?

Are classes mandatory?

Are clickers utilized in the classroom?

Do lectures get recorded?

Are classes tested individually or as larger block exams?

Are there any tutoring services?

What does the school do in terms of board prep?

How much time is left to dedicated board study?

How well do you feel this program prepared students for boards?

Where do students tend to study?

Are the study spaces shared with other programs? Or undergraduates?

What materials are provided for learning (qbanks, books, ipads)?

What are the hours of facilities?

Is there a dress code?

What services are available to students?

Is there any mental health counselling or ways to receive care through the school?

Who works with students if there are concerns or problems?

What is the leave or absence policy?

How does the program help students who are struggling (academically, personally, finacially)?

Are their TA opportunities, or other work opportunities?

How is anatomy lab run (dissection/prosection/no-section)?

How many people work with a single cadaver?

How many hours a week, approximately, are spent in the lab?

How often do students work with standardized patients?

How are the students tested using standardized patients?

Does the program support simulated learning?

How often do students use simulators?

What type of clubs does the school support?

Where and how do students generally volunteer?

What ways can 1st and 2nd years get some clinical experience?

How does this program cultivate teamwork?

What research is supported at that school?

Are there an expectations or requirements for research?

If so, are you assigned research, or can you scope it out on your own?

Is there an affiliated hospital with the school/college of medicine?

Do most students stay in the same place of the school or are they spread out?

How many anchor spots with specific hospitals does the school have?

How many weeks are core rotations?

Does the school have rural/underserved rotations?

Can a third year go out of system to complete a rotation?

How many electives does a third year get?

How many electives does a fourth year get?

Approximately how many auditions does a student from this school have the opportunity to do?

How is fourth year organized in terms of completed required rotations?

What do students do for fun in this area?

Do you feel like students have good rapport with each other?

Where do students generally live and do many have to move throughout the 4 years?

Are their opportunities to collaborate as a team with other students?

Do you like it here?

Hope you like it! Hope it help!

A little more than 4 years ago I wrote a 50 things-thing before I started medical school based solely off the things I was told by other people which was a lot of fun considering I wasn’t actually doing it yet. Now having basically completed my own whirlwind adventure I can go back and see if what I wrote on nothing but hearsay actually ended up being the truth.

I’ve literally waited so long to do this. Hope you enjoy.

First year

This is hardest you will have ever done. So far. – At this point in my life, yes, the first year of medical school tore me apart. But it put me back together, in way. 

Even though it seems like you have no time, you really do. Now is the time to go to social events and make friends. – Part of the whole process is finding companionship in commiseration.

Take pictures with everyone at your white coat ceremony. – So I ended up not being able to do this the way I wanted to back then, but you can bet your asses I’ve got this down for graduation.

Anatomy has three types of people on the first day; the people who are way too fascinated, the ones who cry because they are cutting open a person, and the people who throw up into the slop bucket. – No one threw up or passed out but it was A Thing no doubt about it.

Always flip the body slowly and with precision. Unless you want a formaldehyde and fat shower. – It was me. I got the shower. I had to throw away my shoes.

You might fail your first test. Cry a lot then get over it. – I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean I never did.

Even though you know everyone has to be smart on some level, all the drama and nonsense you still see is a little disappointing. – It made things more interesting. Kinda like reality TV.

You will spend your loan money on non-school items. Because you have no money. – Thank you, Amazon.

Invest in focus factor. – Never did, never needed it. Anxiety is a strong motivator y’all.

Sleep is for the weak. Caffeine is for the strong. – Wrong, I need sleep so badly all the time. Please sleep.

You’ll get really good at scheduling. MAKE yourself good at it. – I got really good the first few years. Like creepy good. But that only lasts so long.

Studying is completely different. If you undergrad it, you’re in trouble. – Too many of my classmates learned that IMMEDIATELY. I, on the other hand, always struggled so it was just the same but A LOT MORE.

You will completely lose track of time, days and pretty much the outside world. – I still don’t know what day it is.

You will horribly mess up at least once during standardized patient care practice. It will be hilarious for everyone except you. – More than once even.

This year will mark your very last real summer vacation. Use wisely. – Kind of, but not really. It’s the last significant one (if your school is kind) but there are plenty of other opportunities to live life.

Second year

Tears will be shed because you didn’t realize how good you had it in first year. – Not until January. That’s when you start missing first year. At least I did.

Every first year will somehow look like babies, no matter their age. – Very much yes. All so young, and full of hope.

At this point they want you to do other things. Like volunteering, research and be involved on campus. Do them and know that you can sleep when you’re dead. – They as in residencies. They do want fluff, good, passionate fluff. But please sleep.

If you chose to be a TA for a first year class be ready to have to restudy the subject so you can actually be helpful. – Um, yes?

You should know your perfect study nirvana by this point. – Sorry, that answer is incorrect. Thanks for playing.

You will have multiple complete mental breakdowns ranging between “why did I do this to myself?” and realizing you know how to kill yourself far too many ways. – Oh second year. Never again.

Never make definitive plans. Non-meds just don’t seem to understand why you can’t just study later. – Or just don’t make plans at all. Show up when you want. Live on the edge of acceptability. 

Try your best to keep contact with a few people from the outside world. Try. – There will be a lot of contact with the boards crazy. You need the support.

Most schools end their MS2 years early to allow time to study for the boards. – Mine kinda did? I was going to fight my faculty about it, no joke.

Say good riddance to lectures! – In class lectures, anyways.

Studying for boards is your new job. – Is it even a job? It’s more like being in hell, but hey your friends are there.

After you get through boards you will sleep, party, then sleep some more. – I literally have no recollection of the week after step 1. None. I repressed it.

Third year

Being yelled at will be normal. – Most of the time it’s a stern tone with impending disappointment.

Being told you’re an idiot is also normal. – While it did happen, much less than anticipated which was nice.

Find a place to cry where no one can see you. – Bathrooms, cars, student areas, public areas. Whatever. 

You will do a comprehensive session with a patient only to find out they lied to you for 30 minutes when the doctor asks them the same questions. – Stare at patient while doctor speaks to them. Assert dominance. You know. They know. 

Be nice to the nurses. They know all secrets. – Absolutely true.

You will put on the spot all the time. Don’t worry; you’ll stop flinching every time anyone asks you a question. Eventually. – It’s more just acceptance that this is how it is. You won’t flinch because the apathy to being pimped is so strong.

How long can you go without sleep? Find out in third year! – 29 hours is my current record.

Learn to impress. You need LORs for residency programs. Asking a lot of questions helps you do this. – Honestly, being the best version of you helps you with this. The people who get you will be the people who stand for you.

Something at some point will make you pass out/throw up/cringe so hard you reconsider your entire life. – Wound care.

At some point, a patient will throw up/excrete something/have an mass explode all over you. And your reaction will be the essence of perfection. – This was literally just live birth for me. A human exploding into existence covered in every juice. That’s why I will never do OB.

The end of written exams! (Besides the boards, obviously). – Nope. Somehow they manage to sneak in just a few more here and there.

You will figure out what kind of physician YOU NEVER WANT TO BE. – Yes.

And you’ll figure what you actually like and what you could see yourself doing as a doctor. – You get there. There is still some wiggle room but there usually is direction you can feel.

Fourth year

Boards AGAIN. – Back again, but with less gusto.

This will be your most relaxed, easy year of medical school. Comparatively. – In terms of studying yes, in terms of anxiety not so much.

You get to pick rotation sites! Do your best to get them to match up to the places you interview at because you’re already strapped for cash. – Only if you’re lucky really. It’s so much more random and complicated than people made it seem.

There are dinners the night before interviews.  GO TO THESE. – Yes! Go if can! Very important to see how the residents coexist!

Make ALL the connections! And not just with the doctors! Get in with the residents. – Residents have the secret power. They may not get you in but oh boy can they get you out.

Match is confusing and stressful, but it’s actually applicant oriented. So that’s nice. – I mean. That’s what we’re told. We’re told a lot of things.

The only people who say match day isn’t bad are the people who matched. – It was still pretty awful waiting around until 12 PM. It just ended well for me, somehow. 

Now is your chance to reconnect with people. A lot goes by in 4 years. – Well considering I’m having a huge wedding, yeah. But that’s just me. 

If you make it through the most amazing hell journey, you are award with your degree and become a real to life Doctor. – I’m just a dork with a doctoral degree. 

I think I’ve finally been a third year long enough to write a post on how to succeed during rotations without having to be a grand showman and intellectual prodigy. I’ve certainly made my fair share of mistakes and straight up screw ups, I’ve also had a lot more successes than I expected.

Hopefully, what I write is useful to those starting or already on rotations (though I’m sure many of you are totally killing it already) and remember these are based on my experiences and of what I’ve learned from people I know so your experiences may be different. This isn’t a ‘how to’ guide, more a quick hit of helpful notes to take into consideration. 

I also feel like maybe 50 wasn’t enough to actually illustrate what rotations are like, so if anyone wants to add more to this please do.

Tried and True

Show up the first day, bright eyed and bushy tailed no matter how hard the last rotation was.

Always try to be there early, before the doctor, even if it’s just a little bit.

Read, read, read.

If you’ve got a question, ask a question.

Water It was vast. No one ever told him how much nothing there was in the ocean. It was fresh and colder than he had even known, cold enough to shake his body, burn his eyes and make his nose run. Why had his father insisted? He missed Sandringham. He just wanted to be home.

Music Rehearsals had not included the music. He did his best to steel his nerves and not flinch when the fanfare trumpets sounded. Damn those things were loud. He hoped nobody noticed his startle.

Drink Parties. Everyone always looked like they were having so much fun. All the adults walking around with golden drinks that fizzed and shone like magic. He had to steal a sip, an abandoned glass on the banquet table. The fizzy liquid touched his mouth and settled on his tongue. Absolutely vile! How the hell did they all drink this stuff? He pulled a face and turned bright red at his aunt laughing at him having witnessed the whole thing.

Fire If ever there is a vision of Hell itself, it came in the form of raging flames on the water, the air is  thick smoke and between the deafening whistles and splashes of lost shells, there is the unmistakable sound of distant and desperate screams. There he learned people do not scream with an accent.

Denial It should not have been possible. The men of his generation would not put the world through such a horror. They knew the costs, they knew the pain and the suffering. There would not be another one. One was enough. They could not put the world through a second.

Soft Dookie is really quite puffy for a little dog. That fur just melts away under a touch and there is nothing quite like the gentleness and warmth of all of that fuzz bending just to give him a little pat.

Belonging Papa said he has to sing in church. It’s as if the man just can’t acknowledge his stammer. He feels his glare on him. So he closes his eyes and opens his mouth to sing the words he has known for so long but only ever listened. They come out, no hesitations, no breaks, falling like silk from his mouth for the first time in his life. Tears fall down his cheeks and he feels himself red with heat. God allowed him to sing for him.

Quiet There is nothing more welcome than peace. It is never more pronounced than in the quiet where it’s possible to just be. People forget to just exist for a few moments every now and again.

Loud So that is what one million people sounds like. I wonder if they were heard at home? That many people just to see us.

Mud It’s wet and cold, sticky and generally unpleasant stuck all over his tweed trousers. He’s soaked through with it but all he can do is laugh. At least now he has a better disguise. No pheasant will see him coming.

Scar Impossible to miss each time he removes his vest, right there down both sides of his abdomen. Two long and neat scars, white and aged with time but riddled with memories. Was he really meant to have lived through them both?

Wheel It may have seen action and might not have looked the best but that motorbike with its rubber wheels and big light, that right there was his total freedom. No room for a security escort on that.

Flower She likes irises, maybe it’s the scent or the colour? Intricacy of the petals? Regardless, they are to be planted across their window boxes in their home, if she loves them then he does too.

Tears You have to laugh at yourself. You have to laugh more when someone is brave enough to make you do it and at least manage it tastefully. Oh, he knows to wipe at his face, he just has to stop laughing first.

Night Stars were an endless wonder and not to be missed out on. Winter made it easiest in Sandringham, to look up to the sky on a clear night and see the heavens in all of their glory. Maybe humans were meant to be nocturnal?

Orange Hilda was rapidly becoming his favourite cousin. Anyone who turned around and reminded the Prince of Wales that they were more English than he was, was good in his books. Bless the House of Orange.

Soap Mud and blood swirls around in the sink before him, vanishing down the drain as the soapy lather replaces it. How strange it is for such an earthy and iron stench to be replaced by the strong scent of roses.

Sun It is hot. Too hot. They said it would be but that it needed doing in order to save his leg. He’d rather they had cut it off, he’s never known heat like it.

Again One more time, it has to be what? Only the sixth time? Bounce onto the ‘p’ it’s not that hard. People. People. People. Come on man! Get it out!

Fight Other children are not the same. They push about and trip each other up, say nasty things and tie him up. He has to put a stop to this, one quick swing of a fist ought to be enough? That’s how it always happens in the theatre, it had to be true for his sake.

Run Her back is turned, she’s busy giving David his second supper. I can run, I can escape before she puts them on my legs. The kitchens are still in use, I can get food. Get up and... GO!

Short David stands from the table and passes him the pen. He has never looked so small, so defeated. He has never noticed how much taller he is compared to him. David is rather short, isn’t he?

Celebrate Birthdays, real ones are the best. Already in Sandringham and surrounded by family? There is no better gift than this. But the sherry is nice too.

Label Why had Papa given him his title so early? He was not married yet, was that not the rule? Did he not think he would ever be married or was it all really a bargaining chip?

Language Amazing really how people forget the languages of a family. He may not speak it but he can understand exactly what is being said by the ambassador. Russian was after all encouraged by his father and his lookalike cousin. Should he let the translator off for mistakes and missed words? Best not to reveal too much.

Towel He supposes he has never looked so lonely, stopping a train by an empty beach just so he might have a few minutes to enjoy the lap of a warm sea against his legs before carrying on. Already his aide is stood there with a plain towel as if encouraging him out of the water will tamper his mood at all.

Fist His knuckles white and jaw clenched tight, he could not say a word, he had to obey the request of his government, stomach churning as it was. He would very much like to punch the back of ‘Gideon’s head, would he need permission for that? And from who?

Leaves It doesn’t take much, a disturbance of wet leaves and he knows his shot is ready. He just has to steady himself and wait for it to emerge. Autumn was perhaps cheating when going on a hunt.

Road/path It is not a high hill, barely even an effort in the past. So why is it more of a struggle now? Why does he have to stop to take a breath so much? Has the war really taken that much out of him?

Betrayal That is his name on the paper. Is there nothing that David will not do to tarnish this family? I expected a tantrum but not outright treason. How do I handle this without drawing attention to it like he wants?

Judgement He is not supposed to judge people, he’s supposed to be impartial. But Atlee walked out of the Cabinet because he did not have his way, is it really so surprising there is a worry he will do the same when he has all of the power?

Breakfast A full English, tea and water greet him first thing. The sun is not even up yet and he’s already quite sure the good breakfast is a way for Tommy to butter him up to agree to something long and gruelling in the coming weeks.

Difference The anthem had always been a favourite of his, happily belting it out without his stammer in show of his pride for his country and for his father... but now he was the King. God Save the King took on a new feeling entirely.

Laugh It is an incessant giggling, he has to stop or he will give away the gag but as the boys approach their tutor with ‘caviar’ on toast in the middle of the day, he can’t help but burst into hysterics at the man’s face. Oh it would be worth the scolding later.

Letter How many letters were there to Lilibet? There seemed to be thousands asking for a photograph of her. One from a child melts his heart though and he looks at his newborn daughter and knows already that she has won the nation over just as she has him.

Meal ...What the fuck is a ‘hot dog’?

Confusion He was quite sure Chamberlin had said he had guaranteed peace. So what was this? Was Hitler really going to enter into a war?

Cold One had to be well dressed in British weather, it could change in a heartbeat after all. But Canada? That seems like a whole new level of cold. Surely there were more layers of tweed he could sneak on without anyone noticing?

Clean How wonderful it is to wash off the coal dust from the engine room. Like his skin is all new again. It takes a lot of scrubbing and he is quite sure the soap is now more coal than it is soap but it is coming off, soon he can go to bed before getting covered in it all again tomorrow.

Blue The King wore red, that was the style but he had black. Symbolic perhpas given the circumstances but the blue sash is handed to him and James makes sure to clarify, “This one is your father’s, your Majesty.” Blue was the link between the stable old crown and the new uncertain one.

Noise Crowds were never a comfortable affair. What he did not expect was the noise that could come from them when they did something in unison. A chant that despite the noise still touched his heart. They want the King.

Humility They deserve more than I. I shall do as they ask of me, I owe them that much.

Humanity Hospital visits were the hardest, children’s wards were a killer for him. How could man do this to children? This was not a favour to be returned in kind, but it was inevitable as the war continued and it would eat him up for as long as he lived.

Change Grandpapa had passed away, he and David saw the flag lowered over the Big House. Now Papa was King and David was to be the Prince of Wales... Nothing would be the same again.

Help So many therapists talked at him and gave him bogus instructions with mad methods to conquer his stammer. Lionel preferred to listen. That was refreshing enough.

Explain How is it possible that a King should find out one of his ministers has resigned after the general population? Chamberlin has much to answer for and this will never happen again. I will scare the secrecy out of him and any Prime Minister that follows.

Depth It was not until the invasion of Germany was undertaken did he learn of the true depths of Hitler’s depravity. What he put people though had no word in the English language for how cruel and foul it was. That man was a devil and he would hang when they caught him.

Knowing Why is it Winston assumes that I am not watching and tracking what he orders? Does he not remember the young man who worked under him the the first war? Maybe he is better off without the reminder.

Freedom An aeroplane. Who would have thought that man could have such manoeuvrability in the skies? He could go anywhere, see anything from above. No one would be able to follow him, he could go anywhere he wanted!