"Oh my dear treats, how I dream of you always."
The third year of medical school has finally come to an end. First, a little bit about the most recent rotation: neurology/neurosurgery. You may recall from my belated blog about geriatrics that life did, in fact, get worse after geriatrics. As if it wasn't bad enough, neurology was so much worse. Why, you ask? I had an attending who, while nice and with a good sense of humor, hardly acknowledged us for the whole two weeks. Nearly everyone in the department is from the Middle East and speak amongst themselves in tongues in the presence of others as if others didn't even exist. I'm not sure why, but I find that kind of rude. I know that in most other countries there are people from several different backgrounds all speaking different languages at the same time. The thing is, if you don't want the lame American sitting nearby to know what you're talking about, just go have the conversation elsewhere. For two weeks, I did practically nothing, and yet I had to stay in sights of the residents (who had a hundred better things to do than watch us) until four, five, or even close to six in the afternoon sometimes. The last two weeks were spent in neurosurgery. Again, we did next to nothing and were only rarely acknowledged, but at least we could go home early. At least then the resident recognized that we really didn't care to see yet another ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement or revision in a kid with a big head, and would instead let us go for the day. He was a cool resident. Overall, it was probably the worst rotation I've done all year. Thank the Lord it was a pass/fail rotation and I didn't have to study hard after going home.
Now, on to more exciting stuff. Third year is over, and after my one week of vacation, the fourth year kicks off. Not to mention it kicks off after what is likely to be an awesome weekend of camping near the White River. My new schedule will be off to the side here soon. I start in July with a month of ophthalmology - FINALLY! I have waited years (literally) to get at least to this point. In August, it's off to do the same in Lexington, KY. What's special about Lexington? Nothing, really - it's just that their program at least sounds really good and it's in beautiful Kentucky. I was about to give up on doing the rotation there after I found out that the graduate housing options were all filled up. I called the visiting student coordinator and she gave me a list of locals who rented out space in their homes or had attached apartments for short-term living. I called all the folks and one of them has offered me an excellent lodging deal. She has a house where her and her husband live upstairs, and the basement has three bedrooms, each rented out to separate people, with a shared kitchen and living room. It's only a mile or two from the university hospital.
Things with residency are shaping up nicely. The application is well under way. I have a rough personal statement written. I have finished selecting the 30 programs to which I will apply. I have already requested one letter of recommendation, but need to request two more. I have submitted my paper for publication which should be happening before too long. I'm also about to start studying for the USMLE Step 2 exams. That's right, plural - two exams. One is a written test much like the one I complained about when I started this blog. The other is a huge waste of money clinic on-your-feet exam that must be taken in one of five cities, and serves little more than to be sure you can speak English correctly. This part was originally designed for foreign medical graduates wishing to pursue an American residency, which is all fine and dandy. When the board decided to add American students to the test, it was for nothing more than to make money. 25,000 students per year x $1,000 per test / 5 testing centers = 5 million dollars per center per year. Do they really need that much money?
Well, I best be off for now. I have a lot to do and a lot to look forward to in the next year or so.
Now, on to more exciting stuff. Third year is over, and after my one week of vacation, the fourth year kicks off. Not to mention it kicks off after what is likely to be an awesome weekend of camping near the White River. My new schedule will be off to the side here soon. I start in July with a month of ophthalmology - FINALLY! I have waited years (literally) to get at least to this point. In August, it's off to do the same in Lexington, KY. What's special about Lexington? Nothing, really - it's just that their program at least sounds really good and it's in beautiful Kentucky. I was about to give up on doing the rotation there after I found out that the graduate housing options were all filled up. I called the visiting student coordinator and she gave me a list of locals who rented out space in their homes or had attached apartments for short-term living. I called all the folks and one of them has offered me an excellent lodging deal. She has a house where her and her husband live upstairs, and the basement has three bedrooms, each rented out to separate people, with a shared kitchen and living room. It's only a mile or two from the university hospital.
Things with residency are shaping up nicely. The application is well under way. I have a rough personal statement written. I have finished selecting the 30 programs to which I will apply. I have already requested one letter of recommendation, but need to request two more. I have submitted my paper for publication which should be happening before too long. I'm also about to start studying for the USMLE Step 2 exams. That's right, plural - two exams. One is a written test much like the one I complained about when I started this blog. The other is a huge waste of money clinic on-your-feet exam that must be taken in one of five cities, and serves little more than to be sure you can speak English correctly. This part was originally designed for foreign medical graduates wishing to pursue an American residency, which is all fine and dandy. When the board decided to add American students to the test, it was for nothing more than to make money. 25,000 students per year x $1,000 per test / 5 testing centers = 5 million dollars per center per year. Do they really need that much money?
Well, I best be off for now. I have a lot to do and a lot to look forward to in the next year or so.
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