Since we are knee deep into away rotation season, we wanted to provide you with some pointers on Away Rotation Etiquette. There is an etiquette you need to follow when rotating at an Ortho program. You need to understand that an away rotation can make or break you. You need to fit into the program you are at. You need to kiss ass without giving people the impression that you are kissing ass. You need to understand that you are a guest at a program. You are on a month long job interview. Here are some tips:
1. When you see any Orthopaedic Attending, greet him appropriately. If you are bold, you can introduce yourself. The point is that if you greet attendings, they will wonder who you are and will ask the residents about you. It is flattering for them to know that you want to come to their program. Know everybody's name.
2. Do not annoy anyone. This one is easier said than done. There are some residents who will dislike you after ten minutes. The point is to not give anybody a reason to think you are annoying. Do not keep saying that you want to go to this program. Do not keep asking stupid questions. Do not show off or answer questions that make your resident look bad.
3. Be everywhere at all times, but be invisible. You want to be there always, but you don't want to be around so much you get on people's nerves. You don't want people asking where you are. Just be around, be accessible. Blend in without crowding space.
4. Do not try too hard to fit in. Be yourself. The thing about away rotations in Ortho is that everybody is trying to impress and fit in. Residents don't really care what your numbers or resume looks like. Residents want to know that you are a hard worker and won't weaken the team. Residents want to know that you will be a friend of theirs if you come to the program. They want to know that they can grab a beer with you or go hang out. They want people that are going to make life as a resident easier and more fun. So if you are rotating at a program, realize this and try and figure out if the residents are the kind of people you would hang out with. If you don't like them, then they probably won't end up liking you and you will probably be unhappy at that program.
5. Do not ask for favors. Doing an away rotation sucks. You are poor. You do not know anybody. You will likely need favors such as rides to here and there, etc, etc. Do not ask to crash at their place for a few days. In general, do not ask for favors from residents. They are not your friends. Hopefully by the end of the rotation they will be, but asking for favors with get you know where. Similarly, do not ask if they want to hang out or go out. If you are liked, they will ask you.
6. Do not treat your rotation like a vacation. If you are rotating at a place near fun activities, you don't want to let everybody know that you are taking the weekend off to go skiiing. Nobody wants to hear that while they were on call their medical student was off enjoying life that they can't. Save your vacation for after you match. You don't want to be regretting that weekend skiing when you don't match.
well this fucking sucks
Posted by: anonymous | July 10, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Nah, good advice. It's common sense, but some people I'm sure forget the simple things. Keep this stuff coming.
Posted by: Daniel | December 21, 2011 at 09:38 PM