Rotations
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Presently, my year group is in the process of selecting rotations for our final two (clinical) years. This has resulted in a heap of complaints and uncertainty and general bitchiness in the direction of the administration. This surprises me very little, as the general consensus from the students is that the admin couldn't organise a shag in a brothel. So, the crux of this post is to discuss some of the options for years three and four, and what I'm gonna do.
Option 1: Large Metropolitan Hospital (LMH)
This is the hospital I've been at so far. It's big, super specialised, and the 'promotions officer' from the Uni said that it's for those students who appreciate 'Self-directed learning', and may or may not be looking for research opportunities. The Paeds hospital is attached next door, and, well, every speciality is covered. General reports are that the students do lots of watching and not much doing; there's a lot of competition for the little things. Still, I can live in my current house, and still work all the same jobs; I'm well set up. I guess my concern here is that LMH I'd get lost in the buzz, and not get the chance to do anything in the first place!
Option 2: Conglomeration of several Medium sized urban hospitals
I'm somewhat familiar with these hospitals; the group I'd look at more seriously than the others are variously 10, 20 and 50 kms from my current house, all against the flow of traffic, but still within the city limits. Just. They have variously different reputations for patient care and relatively unremarkable teaching records. Summarily, they are all close enough that work etc., wouldn't have to change, but there appears to be quite a bit of changeable travel involved, particularly for certain specialities.
Option 3: Regional Hospital, Coastal location
This hospital is just over 100km away from my current house, and would involve a relocation. No dramas, though, because it's 100km closer to one of my existing jobs, where I can get more hours next year if I want 'em. Obviously, 100km isn't too far to head into the city every now and then. Plus, it's by the beach. The location itself has a population of several hundred thousand, and is rapidly growing. The clinical school is only a couple of years old, and I think because of the size of the school, it's quite close knit.
Option 4: Rural Hospital, semi-coastal.
There are two choices in this category; both towns are around 50k people, with all the kinds of services you'd expect. The clinical schools there have pretty excellent reputations; their by-line involves teaching not "medical students", but "doctors in training", and they have high practical involvement from an early stage. The Uni also reports that Rural students get better marks. The drawback? Well, the schools are 350 and 650 kilometers away, and that obviously requires a relocation and finding a new job. But, rent is free for the whole year! And they're nearly on the coast; just a short bike-ride...
Option 5: Regional Hospitals, inland.
This town also has a population into the several hundred thousands; and the Rural School is based there. It is, in fact, the best established non-metropolitan school, and has a very good reputation for teaching. It's also over 150km inland, and for my mind, not quite within striking distance of the City. Rent is free here too, and I'd need a new job. This school will be very popoular with the large number of students from this area, and hence oversubscribed.
What about my priorities? My requirements are such; I want a well rounded, semi-didactic, hands on education. I need to earn to learn, so work is essential - free rent would certainly take some of the heat out of this. I don't want to get stir-crazy; so ample opportunites for leisure and headspace in the few hours off each week will be relished; for example swimming, walking, maybe even team sports.
When I began Med, I envisaged spending all my time at LMH, but after two years there, I'm read for a change. So, given that I'm prepared to step outside my comfort zone, what next?
The regional, inland hospital holds no appeal. I like the beach, and I'm not that keen to choose a school I don't really want that will be oversubscribed. So that's out.
The urban conglomerate is a safe choice; no moving, a bit of travelling same job. What of the teaching? It seems like a slightly diluted version of LMH. I'll make it my safety option, I think.
The regional hospital on the coast is the most promising; work's already laid on, and the school's new yet promising reputation make it a good choice. The beaches and local national parks are fantastic, and rent is at least $30/wk cheaper than the City. I could head back for social events as required; I know the drive pretty damn well.
The rural schools also hold some appeal. The teaching reputation is widely touted, and colleagues in previous years speak very highly of the experience. Free rent is a big hit too, and would ease the pressure of finding a job so quickly. The tyrrany of distance will be the main challenge; I'd barely see my friends at the metropolitan schools.
After some firm thinking and discussion with Batman and other friends, here's my list:
1. The Coast
2. Rural
3. Conglomerate
Now all I have to do is wait for the results...
Option 1: Large Metropolitan Hospital (LMH)
This is the hospital I've been at so far. It's big, super specialised, and the 'promotions officer' from the Uni said that it's for those students who appreciate 'Self-directed learning', and may or may not be looking for research opportunities. The Paeds hospital is attached next door, and, well, every speciality is covered. General reports are that the students do lots of watching and not much doing; there's a lot of competition for the little things. Still, I can live in my current house, and still work all the same jobs; I'm well set up. I guess my concern here is that LMH I'd get lost in the buzz, and not get the chance to do anything in the first place!
Option 2: Conglomeration of several Medium sized urban hospitals
I'm somewhat familiar with these hospitals; the group I'd look at more seriously than the others are variously 10, 20 and 50 kms from my current house, all against the flow of traffic, but still within the city limits. Just. They have variously different reputations for patient care and relatively unremarkable teaching records. Summarily, they are all close enough that work etc., wouldn't have to change, but there appears to be quite a bit of changeable travel involved, particularly for certain specialities.
Option 3: Regional Hospital, Coastal location
This hospital is just over 100km away from my current house, and would involve a relocation. No dramas, though, because it's 100km closer to one of my existing jobs, where I can get more hours next year if I want 'em. Obviously, 100km isn't too far to head into the city every now and then. Plus, it's by the beach. The location itself has a population of several hundred thousand, and is rapidly growing. The clinical school is only a couple of years old, and I think because of the size of the school, it's quite close knit.
Option 4: Rural Hospital, semi-coastal.
There are two choices in this category; both towns are around 50k people, with all the kinds of services you'd expect. The clinical schools there have pretty excellent reputations; their by-line involves teaching not "medical students", but "doctors in training", and they have high practical involvement from an early stage. The Uni also reports that Rural students get better marks. The drawback? Well, the schools are 350 and 650 kilometers away, and that obviously requires a relocation and finding a new job. But, rent is free for the whole year! And they're nearly on the coast; just a short bike-ride...
Option 5: Regional Hospitals, inland.
This town also has a population into the several hundred thousands; and the Rural School is based there. It is, in fact, the best established non-metropolitan school, and has a very good reputation for teaching. It's also over 150km inland, and for my mind, not quite within striking distance of the City. Rent is free here too, and I'd need a new job. This school will be very popoular with the large number of students from this area, and hence oversubscribed.
What about my priorities? My requirements are such; I want a well rounded, semi-didactic, hands on education. I need to earn to learn, so work is essential - free rent would certainly take some of the heat out of this. I don't want to get stir-crazy; so ample opportunites for leisure and headspace in the few hours off each week will be relished; for example swimming, walking, maybe even team sports.
When I began Med, I envisaged spending all my time at LMH, but after two years there, I'm read for a change. So, given that I'm prepared to step outside my comfort zone, what next?
The regional, inland hospital holds no appeal. I like the beach, and I'm not that keen to choose a school I don't really want that will be oversubscribed. So that's out.
The urban conglomerate is a safe choice; no moving, a bit of travelling same job. What of the teaching? It seems like a slightly diluted version of LMH. I'll make it my safety option, I think.
The regional hospital on the coast is the most promising; work's already laid on, and the school's new yet promising reputation make it a good choice. The beaches and local national parks are fantastic, and rent is at least $30/wk cheaper than the City. I could head back for social events as required; I know the drive pretty damn well.
The rural schools also hold some appeal. The teaching reputation is widely touted, and colleagues in previous years speak very highly of the experience. Free rent is a big hit too, and would ease the pressure of finding a job so quickly. The tyrrany of distance will be the main challenge; I'd barely see my friends at the metropolitan schools.
After some firm thinking and discussion with Batman and other friends, here's my list:
1. The Coast
2. Rural
3. Conglomerate
Now all I have to do is wait for the results...
Rural is good (but the limited social circus may drive you up the wall, even if you study for the vast majority of the time - which I do not I would like to state). The incestuous nature of a small community (medical students, not the townsfolk) will add to this. On the plus side you do all get quite close to each other!!
Where I am is great for learning (and is by the coast, yippee), but most people plan to leave for intern year, which is kind of sad (as I think the idea of the govt funding is that we will work in a rural area). Personally I will probably work in a rural place at some point, but 2 years here is enough for now.
Hmmm...coast?
I think you may be coming to a hospital near me.
Keep in touch!