If you are a third-year medical student who is eagerly waiting to start clinical rotations, you may be having moments of excitement sprinkled with anxiety. This is completely normal. You will soon be entering a phase of your medical education where you will have to make the effort to learn, inquire, and apply new concepts all at once. You will become self-sufficient and make the initiative to grow by recognizing what areas you are weak in. However, third year is also the perfect time to take what you learned in the classroom, to apply it in real clinical scenarios, and to ask for feedback from your attendings. I hope to pass on the following pieces of advice which have helped me throughout my journey.

Do’s

● Continually learning more information about the rotation you are currently in will help you become more confident as you expand your knowledge base. There are several resources which can be used to review the fundamentals. You can have a smooth transition by preparing for your next rotation at least one to two weeks before it officially begins. By reviewing relevant information, you will be incorporating repetition into your daily routine and solidifying new concepts.

● Bring some form of reading material with you to read in the free moments you have. There will be moments where you will not be busy with the clinic or preparing for the OR. It is prudent to have access to some form of reviewable material, such as didactic notes or relevant board practice questions, in case you have some time.

● Invest in a notebook that fits in your pocket. By bringing a small journal, you can start making a list of questions about topics you feel uncomfortable with and ask your superiors for more guidance about that subject. You will stay engaged and motivated if you take the time to research what you learned earlier in the day. It is easy to forget specific questions you have throughout the day amongst the hustle and bustle of daily tasks. Having a handy notebook in your pocket will help you jot down questions or thoughts that you can revisit later.

● Create a study schedule for yourself. Even though you will not be stressed out about monthly exams, it will save you a lot of stress for externships as well as boards if you start planning what to cover month by month. You will have time to study for upcoming board exams, but there will be a higher level of exhaustion after working for anywhere from 9-12 hours. However, if you aim to finish reviewing a certain amount of material on a weekly basis, you will be able to have a better work-life balance.

● Have fun & make friends. This is a great time to explore the city you are in and to do activities that you are fond of. You can make friends without having the stress of exams in the back of your mind! You will also have the chance to meet other medical students when you are traveling between sites.

DPM 2021 taking a moment to reflect before clinical rotations begin.

● Become familiar with the dressing supplies. In the beginning of each rotation, find out where the dressing supplies are located. Once you are familiar with the location of the supplies, you should try to have the most frequently used items in your white coat pockets to stay prepared. For example, if you know an alcohol pad precedes an IV flush, then place 2-3 alcohol pads in your coat pocket at the end of each day so that you have it ready during morning rounds.

● Becoming familiar with presentation styles and potential differentials. For clinic, you can practice presenting in the following manner when concluding: “Due to presence of A, B, and C, the patient most likely has [main diagnosis]. Due to lack of D and E, the patient is less likely to have a [differential #1].” Every attending will have their own preferred way of how they would like information presented to them, but as long as you can list why you believe the patient has a condition, and what the next steps are, then you will be on the right track. If a patient comes in for a follow up regarding their wound, then the attending may only want you to list a relevant history, the current status of their wound, and if any debridement or dressing changes need to be performed.

● Follow-up with questions you did not know the answer to at the time. You will be quizzed often and at times, in moments where you least expect it. No matter how prepared you feel, you will always get asked questions you may not know the answer to and that’s okay. This is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your willingness to gain more knowledge. Simply look it up later and report back to the person who asked you.

● Watch the residents & attendings to make yourself useful.By paying attention to what the residents are doing, you can be a beneficial team member. When rounding in certain rotations, if you know your residents’ routine incredibly well, it would be to your advantage to have the supplies ready to go before rounding begins. By being observant of their daily duties, you can make the most out of every learning experience.

● Remember why you decided to embark on this journey. Do not get lost in the day-to-day and try to remind yourself of the “big picture”. Instead of getting caught up in moments of self-doubt, you have to remind yourself that you are in the process of learning how to become a better physician. You are here because you want to make a positive impact in the lives of your patients.

Don’ts

● Do not take constructive criticism lightly. This is the time for us all to make mistakes, learn from them, and experience growth. None of us are perfect because we are still in the process of learning. If a resident or attending provides you with feedback, recognize that they are trying to help you become the best physician you can be. Internalize this feedback and try to improve! Clinical rotations are a wonderful time to thrive professionally and as a person.

● Gossip. Try to learn as much as you can but remember to focus on yourself. In rare instances, you may encounter others gossiping...walk away! It creates an environment of negativity which is not conducive to learning. By the end of third year, you and all your peers will be even stronger candidates for externships!

● Externalize your complaints. Work hard and try to stay positive. Be humble for the opportunities to learn and try your best to stay positive. No one appreciates a whiner.