barbiedoll
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 27
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Hi there,
I would like to know how to shine during observership? I am due to do a one month observership later this year in surgery, but as a trial run have been doing the odd couple of days in a surgical specialty ... it is very very difficult. I'm not sure what I am supposed to/not supposed to do. I believe that one cannot even speak to patients/relatives in case we say something wrong. In the OR, I cannot scrub in and help .. it is so frustrating! Esp so, since I did over 4 years in surgery before coming to USA... Compared the native med student, I feel disabled and unkeen because they can do almost everything.
So, please, if someone has been an observer, particularly in surgery and had a positive outcome, any advice would be appreciated.
BD
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Hi Barbiedoll, I am also an "observer" in a surgical speciality. I guess the things we could do to "shine" are to be on time, dress up well, smile a lot and to speak only when spoken to. I understand your frustration. I too feel invisible and handicapped, but tell myself that it is only a phase which will hopefully have a happy outcome. I have found that most doctors are friendly and try to accomodate us and indulge us by discussing some points about the case just outside the patient's room  , but some could not be bothered! . Most important thing may be to keep your ears open and your mouth shut when it comes to gossip! 
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lisa
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| chemamr
Moderator and PGY1
Topics: 703
Posts: 4,441
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yes, i've done one month of observership in surgery too and it feels just like Lisa said (although in my experience everybody was very nice with me, and i tried to discuss somethings about the cases with my PGY3 or my attending, it was a good experience". However i think it's just something we have to do, it's part of it, because we really don't learn many new things, so, if you can't do anything, and they don't let you help them, relax!!, it's an "observer"ship, that's it. Later on, when you are a PGY1, then you'll do everything. this is a step only.
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Any time something is written against me, I not only share the sentiment but feel I could do the job far better myself.
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| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
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i did an observership for a few months in int medicine and emergency medicine...i agree with the opinions here....be ur best...at appearance, demeanor, and wait to get ur opportunity to shine...beleive me..u will...not in the first few days or even weeks, but subsequently, as they begin to trust u they will give u tasks to do,
i know it can feel demeaning especially since u have done far more in ur native country...but remeber that the reason u r in an observership is not to learn how to do things in medicine/surgery...u r there to observe how things r done here, how it differs from what u have done so far, and most of all impress the main person who will be giving u that LOR...thats how i went about it..and it paid in the end...
good luck...and CHEER UP.
Edited by an on 04/26/06 - 06:53 AM
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I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
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| barbiedoll
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 27
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Dear Lisa et al...
Thank you all for sharing you experiences - it is reassuring to know I am not the only one going through this. I have also recently been to clinic and the attending was SO nice and encouraging, although I had to laugh when he asked me if we have 'murphys sign' in England!!! I replied that Murphy was probably from England or Ireland! It just highlights the ignorance of US attendings on medical training overseas!
I am wondering whether any of you subsequently got positive letters from these observerships - I mean can they say 'she was an outstanding observer ... she was polite, punctual?'.....
once again, thanks so much for the positive encouragement.
BD
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| mirisevi
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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please guys, help me w orientation about how i can find an observer or externship, i am trying in birmingham alabama, is there any list of hospital offering observers?
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