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.

Approaching Away Rotations

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Author: Taylor Petrusevski, MS4
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
AAEM/RSA Social Media Committee

For emergency medicine (EM)-bound third-year medical students, exciting times are quickly approaching, including starting to think about your away rotations. Away rotations are a crucial component of an EM application, as studies consistently note that the away Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE) and grade have the highest values in selecting prospective EM residents.¹ One year ago, my fellow EM-bound classmates and I began to have similar questions around away rotations: primarily, how many and where? I’d like to pass along notable conclusions from recent studies around this topic as well as some advice I received from mentors that helped me along the way.

Consider an Away Elective. Now is Your Chance!

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Author: Teresa M. Ross, MD
2011-2012 AAEM/RSA President
Originally Published: Common Sense March/April 2014

If the only medical world you’ve ever known is the infinite connecting hallways of a classic teaching hospital, you’re not alone. Medical school and residency naturally bring us to these oldies but goodies as the epicenter of our academic and clinical training.

But step away for a while – imagine a world where emergency docs come to work in jeans, know their colleagues (and their families) by name, and can’t count on off-hours, in-house consultants except medicine and pediatrics. There is an exciting world out there beyond formal department conferences and journal-quoting consultants.

7 Tips for Selecting Your EM Audition (Away) Rotations

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Author: Michael Wilk, MSIV
President, AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council '15-'16

1. Apply for Your Rotations Early
Keep in mind some programs open their applications as soon as January. Check VSAS and EM programs’ websites for more information on when their applications open. Given the current popularity of EM, audition rotations are as competitive as ever. In fact, one program I applied to actually informed me that they had over 250 students apply for the six spots per month that they offer. In this case, the early bird gets the worm.

2. Location, Location, Location
Interested in matching in highly competitive areas such as California, New York City, or somewhere near your family? Rotating in those cities of interest, or at least in the general region, will increase your chances of receiving an interview at other programs in the area. However, keep in mind they can be very expensive and stressful, as you have to live in another city and may be living out of a suitcase for an entire month.

3. Academic vs. Community vs. County
The patient populations and experiences at different programs vary greatly. While still in medical school, it may be hard to know in what type of program you want to spend the next few years of your life. Rotating through at least two different types of programs (i.e., community and academic) can help you decide that before application season. If you are really interested in research and teaching, an academic program may be the best route for you.

How to Give a Great Presentation to Your EM Attending Physician

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Author: Jennifer Stancati
Midwest Regional Representative
AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council '14-'15

Most students would agree that presenting a patient on rounds or to your attending is one of the scariest parts of being a third or fourth year medical student. Whether you are in a group or one-on-one, all eyes and attention are on you. There is the potential to do or say something incorrect, embarrassing, or perhaps you might not know the answer to a question that you are asked. Also, depending on the level of responsibility that you are given, what you say can have a large impact on the course of a patient’s visit. As if this was not enough, there is the fact that you are being evaluated. And in a busy environment like an emergency department (ED), this may be the only interaction that you have with your attending physician.

Being in the environment of the ED adds a few more factors into the equation. You may have been rushed and your history or physical may feel incomplete. Or as you are getting ready to present, your attending may say, “just give me the pertinent information; nothing else.” And last but not least, your patient may be really sick and in need of immediate help. If your patient is truly sick and needs immediate attention, it is important to get your attending (or resident) in the room before you even complete your history and physical. Not only is this the right thing to do for your patient, but also you will demonstrate your ability to recognize an unstable patient.

7 Tips for Succeeding on Your Emergency Medicine Away Rotations

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Author: Dan Holt, MS4
Midwest Regional Representative 2014-2015
AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council 

Away rotations provide great learning experiences and opportunities for growth as a medical student. Performing well on these rotations is extremely important for those of us looking to match into an emergency medicine residency. Below are seven tips for success from top medical students around the country who have already completed their rotations. There is no secret formula to guarantee honors in any rotation, however this is great place to start.

1. Introduce Yourself
As medical students, we are dependent on the skills, knowledge and expertise of all of the staff members in the emergency department. This includes nurses, techs, and the custodial staff. People will be more willing to help you out if they know you from the start, so the earlier in your shift that you get your name out there the better. Let others know you are a medical student and that you are willing to help with anything (and I mean anything).

2. Determine Expectations
Every attending and senior resident has different expectations for each medical student. They will expect different presenting styles, involvement in procedures, and responsibilities in note writing, etc. It’s best to figure out what your team wants from you as early in the shift as possible.

3. Communicate
Whether it’s specifically written or implied, a huge part of the evaluation process is communication. Attendings and residents are busy people. They may not always have the time or remember to keep you informed about changes in patient care plans. Make sure that you are checking in regularly and relay any new information to the rest of the team (nurses, techs, etc.) and most importantly to your patients. Communication is also a two-way street. If anything changes with your patients, make sure that you let your residents and attendings know in a timely manner. This lets them know that you are on top of things and that you are striving to be an integral part of the patient care team.