By 
Becoming a doctor requires years of dedicated studies and training which is equally challenging and rewarding. Basic science and clinical medicine form the two important segments of your medical curriculum and prepare you for the medical residency and your medical career.
Medical rotations commonly known as clinical rotations are perhaps the most thrilling part of your MD program. Taught during the final two years of the medical curriculum, clinical rotations prepare you to address real-world scenarios in hospitals through direct patient care.
If handled in an organized manner, the clinical medicine period can be the most fruitful time of your medical studies. Here are a few important things you should consider before starting your clinical rotations.
Create a study plan
Studying during the clinical years is a tough task due to hectic schedules in the hospital and lack of time. Creating a study plan and following it with discipline can help you cover your lessons without stress. The rotations will have recommended study texts that you must follow. It is important to collect the necessary resources and study for a little bit of time every day. Skimming through your lessons between breaks and free time goes a long way.
Remember your basic science lessons
Clinical rotation is a follow-up, or more precisely, a practical approach to your basic science lessons. It builds from the foundation laid by basic science lectures taught in the initial years. Before you take up rotations, it is important that you go through your basic science lecture notes and remember the basic concepts and procedures taught there. This helps the transition to clinical medicine easy and convenient.
Learn from your peers
Just like any other program, preparation is the key to succeeding in clinical rotations. The schedules and shifts can become overwhelming at times but what can help you through it is talking and learning from your peers. Ask for guidance whenever you feel necessary as it can help to minimize stress. Communicating with students who took the same rotation as you can also give you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for the classes.
The tips and bits of advice you receive from peers and mentors are invaluable and can help keep your clinical experience streamlined.
Maintain an organized schedule
Time management is another key factor to be taken care of during clinical rotations. As mentioned earlier, the schedules can be overwhelming and hectic especially since you are new to this phase of medical studies. Keeping an organized schedule can help you manage your studies and rotations well. A decluttered life and mind are essential to succeeding in clinical rotations.
Find time for yourself
In between the busy hospital schedules and study time never forget to find time for yourself to relax. You must make yourself a priority and taking care of yourself and your physical and mental health is very important. Find some time to unwind so that you do not feel exhausted during clinical rotations.
Remembering these simple tips will help you to feel calm and composed during clinical rotations which are significant to your successful completion of the MD program.
Comments