Dr. Mundy discusses tips and tricks for surviving sub-I season with interns Dr. Wickenheisser and Dr. Oleck
Show Notes:
What do you think makes a med student helpful? What makes a good sub-i?
- Having a good attitude, and being involved with the team
- Be friendly and work well with your co-med students
- Try to identify things you can do to move a patient’s care along
- Be specific about your asks with respect to asking how you can help
- Situational awareness
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- You are in tune and paying attention to what is happening around you
- Reading the room and anticipating what’s needed
- Building automatic reflexes
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- If someone is suturing, think suture scissors
- If there is bleeding, look for suction
- Remember that no one expects you to know everything on day 1
- Take time to learn the daily routine instead of doing things you’ve heard you’re supposed to do
- Don’t be afraid to ask!
Preparing for a case: Pre-OP student expectations
- Things to know when you’re preparing for cases:
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- General anatomy
- Basic patient history
- Indication for the surgery
- Basic steps of the operation
- Watch youtube videos which can help you know the general steps and anatomy
- Seeing the patient pre-op is attending and institution dependent
- When to scrub? Go when the resident is scrubbing and feel free to always ask
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- Scrubbing is different at each place
How to help during the case:
- Being in the OR when the patient is rolling in and helping them onto the table, help with positioning, help get SCD’s on, get the lights organized
- Often won’t be responsible for draping
- Help adjust the lights
- Grab a lab pad
- Help cut suture
- Putting dressings on
- Try being cognizant about being helpful vs being in the way
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- Situational awareness is a big key here
- Helping move the patient out of the OR (institution-specific)
- At the end of the case avoid immediately checking your phone
Preparing for sub-I at a different institution
- Know the faculty at the institution
- Review their general specialty expertise
- Know the name of the program director and the chair of the program
Rounds
- Having dressing supplies ready
- Over time you can start recognizing what is needed for a patient’s dressing changes
General tips
- In the OR introduce yourself to everyone in the room, get your gloves and gown, and offer to open it yourself
- Keep in mind that every member of the team has something to teach you so be open to that from everyone
- Be respectful to everyone you work with
- Ask for feedback and be comfortable with non-positive feedback
- Set your own goals for a rotation
- Remember that you’re a guest at another institution
- Always keep a general sense of professionalism even if the residents are acting otherwise