Medical Student Power Clicks

Powerful information to help today's medical student excel in medical school

Getting into Medical School

Are you applying to a medical school that has adopted a longitudinal clerkship system during the clinical years? If so, you'll definitely want to read about research performed at the University of California San Francisco. In a study led by Dr. Arianne Teherani, researchers compared students in three clerkship models - traditional block rotations, longitudinal clerkship system, and hybrid model. Students in the longitudinal program rated certain aspects of their training higher than other students, including teaching, faculty observation of clinical skills, and feedback.

Preclinical Success

In 2007, over 27% of all medical students in the U.S. had taken part in an international health experience. The opportunities for preclinical students to participate in international health experiences have increased considerably in recent years, and medical students are seizing these opportunities.  Adam Cantor, a first-year medical student at the Indiana University School of Medicine, is one of these students. After learning about the Take a Trip with Timmy Global Health contest, Adam entered the contest, and is now one of 10 finalists. The two winners of the contest will have the chance to work in a health clinic in underserved countries in Central and South America. Applicants were asked to submit an essay about what it means to be a healer versus being a doctor. Following review of submitted essays, finalists were chosen and asked to submit a video. Read the Q & A with Adam.

 

USMLE News

 

Congratulations to the entire class of 2014 at the West Virginia University School of Medicine for passing the USMLE Step 1 exam on the first attempt. "I believe this reflects the outstanding learning environment our clinical faculty has created for our students as well as the impressive dedication our students have toward becoming fine physicians," said Arthur Ross, Dean of the School of Medicine, in an article written by The Daily Athenaeum. This is no easy feat, as the fail rate for the Step 1 exam is about 5% for first-time takers. In other words, for every 100 U.S. students who take the test, 5 will fail.

Clerkship Success

The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine has created an excellent website for medical student career development. Reading our book, Success on the Wards, is included among the items on their Year 2 Checklist. We have made the first chapter available to you on our website.

 

Residency Match Success

As interview season draws to a close, applicants will now be faced with the challenges involved in developing a rank-order list. Medical students at Case Western Reserve University and Northeast Ohio Medical University describe their approach.  

 

Doctors / Medical Students Behaving Badly

In writing books to help medical students succeed, I've found the process enjoyable but not without its challenges. Never did I feel the need to rob a bank like this enterprising medical student author.

 

Medical Student Power Clicks

(January 6, 2013)

Powerful information to help today's medical student excel in medical school

Getting into Medical School

"Why are you interested in our medical school?" is a question that is routinely asked at medical school interviews. Interviewers are impressed with applicants who have thoroughly researched the school, and can offer specific reasons for their interest. In your research, we encourage you to take extra steps beyond simply reading the school's website.

Look for and seize opportunities to talk with current students and graduates. The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Oklahoma State University offers an open house for students interested in their school. "Med-Xtravaganza offers student the opportunity to meet with faculty and admissions staff, interact one-on-one with current OSU medical students, get information on admission criteria, tour campus facilities, participate in hands-on laboratory demonstrations and learn more about osteopathic medicine," writes the Daily Ardmoreite. This is the type of effort that can yield valuable information, allowing you to more convincingly convey why you are a good fit for the school.

Preclinical Success

In our book, Success in Medical School, we highlighted strategies for active learning in medical school. One approach that we didn't include is music. At the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Arie Perry is putting lyrics to music to help students learn neuropathology. "The ability to make these creative songs that help you learn neuropathology is pretty engaging for students,” said Dr. S. Andrew Josephson. “I find that a lot of our students in the Brain, Mind and Behavior course are listening to recordings of these songs as they try to prepare for an exam and are whistling them down the hallway.” Visit Dr. Perry's website for more information.

Clerkship Success

As important members of the health care team, medical students have the power to protect their patients and improve patient care during clerkships. However, students often feel uncomfortable taking the initiative in this regard and discussing such issues with senior team members. The University of Connecticut School of Medicine has created an excellent interactive case-based module to help students improve patient care during rotations. We also believe that students can make significant contributions to patient care and safety, and offer practical strategies for clerkship students in the "Patients" chapter of our book, Success on the Wards.

Residency Match Success

Halley Briglia is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. She hopes to become a neurologist, and has been interviewing for residency. As any residency applicant will tell you, interviewing for a residency position can be stressful. For Halley, however, the stress likely pales in comparison to what she experienced one day in October.

After leaving her apartment for a hospital shift, Halley was robbed and shot. She sustained multiple injuries to her jaw, neck, and right thumb, requiring several surgeries. As she recovered, she decided to continue with her efforts to match this year. “I never even really considered waiting until next year,” said Halley in an interview with the Toledo Blade. In fact, her first few interviews took place with her jaw still wired shut.

Halley's story is an inspiring one, and we wish Halley all the best with the residency match and her ongoing recovery. Read more about her story here.