Med school life discussion thread

[Splash-Tackle-Flail]

Hey meddies,

just wondering, if during your preclinical years, whether anyone did anything involving making medical connections? I've been looking at a few things like Monash Minds, and I'm wondering how beneficial these things are, like are these things something worth worrying about later, or should i be proactive now?

On a less serious note: what's your favourite thing about med? (like being specific, could be a certain topic, or an activity, or a feeling idk)

[pi]

just wondering, if during your preclinical years, whether anyone did anything involving making medical connections? I've been looking at a few things like Monash Minds, and I'm wondering how beneficial these things are, like are these things something worth worrying about later, or should i be proactive now?

Much easier to make 'connections' with senior clinicians or registrars once you start working around them. Most of your tutors, speaking for Monash, during pre-clin years will indeed be GPs and whilst it's good to make a positive impression on them, they're probably not the type of connection that can get you involved in research, holiday placements, etc. etc. I'd be waiting until clinical years where you can let your work ethic and knowledge impress your seniors.

But then again, 'making connections' certainly isn't something to be worried about, for my BMedSci I sent someone I had heard of an email out of the blue (having studied at another clinical school the year previously) and here I am (and couldn't be happier!), lots of things come down to being in the right place and the right time and by taking a leap of faith when that time and place comes your way, and hence are not worth worrying about.

On a less serious note: what's your favourite thing about med? (like being specific, could be a certain topic, or an activity, or a feeling idk)

I think my favourite aspect is having the opportunity to learn something interesting that I know will one day make a positive impact on someone's life on a daily basis. For the last couple of days, I've been putting in some hard yards to understand the physics of MRIs (and the various nuances associated with all pulse sequences). Even though I have a keen disliking for VCE physics, putting this stuff into a perspective where I can better understand and appreciate different scans and hence, improve my diagnostic reasoning, makes things soooo much better.

So yeah, that's a very broad favourite, but it's my favourite nevertheless

[Shenz0r]

Even though we're still going through basics, I'm having a lot more fun with the clinical side of medicine. As terrifying it will be to talk and examine patients.

Got to measure blood pressure via the auscultatory method and finally nailed it after all of those failed attempts in HSF. This time I palpated the brachial artery first until I put the steth on when the pulse disappeared... Don't think I've ever been so excited for a long time for something so simple. Definitely practising this more tonight for kicks.

Also had our first role-plays, and half the time I was thinking about what the next question to ask was and not really listening. Also forgot to ask for the patient's name wow. But yeah clinical classes are way more fun than sitting through hours of lectures!

[pi]

Congrats on getting the BP, a satisfying moment indeed!

Also had our first role-plays, and half the time I was thinking about what the next question to ask was and not really listening. Also forgot to ask for the patient's name wow. But yeah clinical classes are way more fun than sitting through hours of lectures!

Definitely takes practice. I think things start to come together in MD2 for you guys. The transition from "asking questions based on Talley and O'Connor lists and my somewhat scripted template" to "asking questions based on my dynamic DDx list and using Talley and O'Connor lists to not miss red flags" is one that takes time and practice. Would definitely put you in good stead for clinical years and OSCEs to get a mate and practice taking histories and doing physical exams on a weekly or biweekly basis

[pi]

Took my first 'mentor' tute of MBBS III and MD2 students, good keen bunch of 'kids' (some are older than me!) Should be an awesome year

[Shenz0r]

Oh pi, we're having a clinical school tour of Epworth on Friday. I'll be looking out for a certain red jumper/blue shirt.

[JaidynM]

For those who've already completed a year (or more) of med, how do you take notes? During VCE I'd just write summary notes at the end of each chapter/topic - I understand that different people have different techniques but how would you go about taking notes? Is it better to write notes after each lecture, or during each lecture, or at the end of every topic (I'm not entirely sure whether there are topics as such in the med course so please correct me if I'm wrong)?

[pi]

Oh pi, we're having a clinical school tour of Epworth on Friday. I'll be looking out for a certain red jumper/blue shirt.

Shame I won't be around on Friday

For those who've already completed a year (or more) of med, how do you take notes? During VCE I'd just write summary notes at the end of each chapter/topic - I understand that different people have different techniques but how would you go about taking notes? Is it better to write notes after each lecture, or during each lecture, or at the end of every topic (I'm not entirely sure whether there are topics as such in the med course so please correct me if I'm wrong)?

I found writing notes at the end of every lecture (ie. lecture summaries) was the most useful for pre-clin. If you have time to do the extra readings, and I'd only really say it can be worth it for Theme III and IV, then you can add notes to the corresponding relevant lecture notes as well. But don't worry too much if you can't do the readings, most people never get a chance.

Some people I know swear by flashcards and all sorts of other study methods, but those never really worked too well for me.

[heart]

For those who've already completed a year (or more) of med, how do you take notes? During VCE I'd just write summary notes at the end of each chapter/topic - I understand that different people have different techniques but how would you go about taking notes? Is it better to write notes after each lecture, or during each lecture, or at the end of every topic (I'm not entirely sure whether there are topics as such in the med course so please correct me if I'm wrong)?

I personally just watch the required material and read the required readings. I tried anki but realized quickly that it wasn't effective for me but I might start using it for anatomy. My goal is to pretty much read about the material from different sources which the readings itself do. I don't really like note taking it is too passive for my liking and can easily trick you into thinking you know the material when you don't.  However this might not be as effective as for you as I enjoy the extra understanding as it helps me while for some it might just complicate things.

[vox nihili]

Has been remarkably similar to Biomed so far, just more content to deal with.

Really enjoying the clinical tutes. I've always had it in my head I'd prefer the science/research aspects of med better, but the clinical tutes are getting me really excited to actually get out there and work with patients.
Some of the work I do outside of uni is public speaking/communication based stuff, so I'm seeing some of that pay off in the clinical tutes which is kind of nice. You can feel quite, well, inferior in med sometimes so it's nice to have those small victories from time to time I guess

[MelonBar]

What are you doing in your clinical tutes? We just did HPC and PHx, and I agree I'm enjoying this side of medicine 

[Shenz0r]

Yeah this week we went through taking BPs and going through past medical history and FHx (we were also supposed to also do BMI and waist/hip but were already 20 mins over). Next week we move onto full physical exams.

But yeah PCP is defs more relaxed, fun, refreshing and relevant to future practise!

[Shenz0r]

Had our tour of Epworth today. It's such a nicely designed hospital! I would love to be a patient there. And the small cohort probably doesn't seem too bad either, but I'll still probably preference the other clinical schools on top.

Foundation block MST done too. Bring on Cardio!

[pi]

Had our tour of Epworth today. It's such a nicely designed hospital! I would love to be a patient there. And the small cohort probably doesn't seem too bad either, but I'll still probably preference the other clinical schools on top.

For some reason all the MD2s at epworth seem to be in the library more than the wards... Which I find to be very unusual. And the MD4s who are around don't seem to be keen on giving them any guidance on what to do (and many don't have the guts to approach me or other final years from Monash hahaha). That's a big disadvantage there imo, a lack of MD seniors (or interns, etc.) to guide them and give them direction.

Having said that, yeah definitely a very classy hospital, all the staff are so nice and I've had no issues in getting things done there as people so so helpful to go that extra mile to help me out. The new ED also looks amaaaaaaazing.

[Studentxzc]

Just curious, do you guys spend all week in hospital as well instead of uni?