EM Away Rotations in a Pandemic

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Author: Lauren Lamparter – President, AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council

Originally published: Common Sense
March/April 2021

For the third-year medical student, the emergency medicine residency application process starts with applying to away rotations. This year, uncertainty remains around the possibility of aways, but hopefully, as COVID-19 vaccines are distributed more widely, travel and away rotations can become possible. One of the past AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council Presidents, Dr. Michael Wilk, wrote an article, “Seven Tips for Selecting Your EM Away Rotations.” His advice remains true whether you are able to rotate only at your home EM rotation, participate in one of the new virtual EM electives, or travel and participate in an away. So, here are his seven points, with my updated insight and an eighth point, for approaching the EM away rotations in a pandemic world.

Who Will Be Their Advocate? A Commentary on Facing Illness Alone.

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Author: Jennifer Gemmill, MD FAAEM
Originally published: Common Sense
January/February 2021

I am a terrible patient. I will refuse medicines prescribed to me. I will pick up my heavy 2-year-old just hours after delivering my newborn while the L&D nurses give me the evil eye. I will remove my own loop recorder in my bathroom at home instead of having it taken out by my unknowing cardiologist (it’s amazing how useful leftover lidocaine and eyebrow tweezers can be). If you are my physician for any reason, I will be a handful. However, I will also be my strongest advocate.