Post by Eileen on Jan 17, 2007 0:40:21 GMT -5
There are many students rotating through the emergency department in Denver--and they are all trying to report to the same person (the fourth year resident). In addition to students, the fourth year resident is also in charge of all the interns, the entire emergency department (trauma and medicine sides), the observation unit, and the biophone which often rings in the middle of your presentation. I found this rotation extremely frustrating from a student perspective. With that said, it still has an outstanding reputation in emergency medicine. Faculty alum as well as current faculty are smart and productive. Although there is very little teaching during the shift, the student/intern rounds are outstanding. You work 16-19 9 hour shifts throughout the month. Beware many students were assigned the overnight shift before the two allowed requested days off...so maybe shift your requested days back one if you actually needed the morning for something (other than a nap!) The residents seem generally happy (although some appeared upset about vacation days--the residency program is working to change this...) There is a big Russian and Spanish speaking population--but they have a translator phone available. I was impressed with how much and how well the residents used the ultrasound. The nurses can be a little snippy but warm up fast if you just do a few disgusting tasks that would otherwise be left to them. There is definitely some good path to be seen and procedures are hit or miss. I did get to do one LP--another student said she did six...I guess I just had bad timing. Many procedures go to interns--but students get a ton of suturing. Attendings and most residents will ignore you if you don't say anything. You have to introduce yourself...possibly re-introduce yourself...and in the end they still may have no clue who you are (maybe this was exaggerated coming from the polar opposite in Cincinnati which is like 'Cheers'...and everybody knows your name...). No free warm fuzzies in Denver. Honestly I was a little disappointed in that I didn't see as much "active" teaching and I was limited in the amount of patients I was allowed to carry--there ended up being too much downtime. Overall I would NOT recommend this rotation for a visiting student who (1) wants to have a rotation in Denver to ski (you don't have that many days off) or (2) wants to be inspired (the people don't exude much enthusiasm), or (3) wants to do a ton of procedures (go to Grady for that). However, I still think the residency program has some sort of hidden greatness...and (most) fourth year residents seem very well trained and pleased with the post-graduation options. So I would recommend this student rotation to someone who is considering Denver for residency, or as a second rotation for someone considering emergency medicine for a specialty .
