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 

• • You are in tune and paying attention to what is happening around you 

• Reading the room and anticipating what’s needed  

• Building automatic reflexes 

• • 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: 

• • 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 

• • 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 

• • 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