Today I started my first rotation - Pediatrics at St. Paul Children's Hospital. So far it looks like a pretty nice rotation.
Found an interesting book online - "Heart Failure - Diary of a Third Year Medical Student" by Michael Greger. To give you a flavor of what it seems to be about, here are two quotes he starts his book with:
Besides medical school, there is probably no other four-year experience - unless it be four year's service in a war - that can so change the cognitive content of one's mind and the nature of one's relationships with others.
- F.D. Moorse, Harvard Medical School
This is the School of Babylon
And at its hand we learn
To walk into the furnaces
And whistle as we burn.
- Thomas Blackburn
Got a notice from the rotation coordinator for my pediatrics clerkship. To quote: "Teams have been assigned & call schedules are set; they are NOT alterable. Overnight call is Q4". So every 4th night, I get to admit patients starting from 2 pm 'till 7 am.
From the student-run Ward Guide:
For many students, this rates as one of the most enjoyable, yet demanding of the required rotations. Medical students are typically given a tremendous amount of responsibility, and manage multiple patients. Although the focus is on inpatient pediatrics, most sites provide opportunities to work in the clinic, ED, and/or the newborn nursery at some point. All sights have overnight call, usually Q4. The SHELF examination is fair and covers clinically relevant material that will be covered during daily didactic sessions. The residents and staff are among the nicest you will encounter in your rotations, and are also among the best teachers. So jump in and see what its like to be a pediatrician for six weeks, we think you will be pleasantly surprised!
Yesterday I drove down to Rochester to take Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam. It was 7 hours, 350 questions. Parts were easy, parts were challenging, and parts made no sense. But at least it's done. I should have my score in two months. Ug.