I have officially wrapped up my OB/GYN rotation and wanted to share with you tips on how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN Rotation. My OB/GYN rotation was a whirlwind, and even though it’s not my desired specialty, I was able to make the most of it. OB/GYN is different than other specialities. When you walk in the door, it’s like starting from ground 0.
There is very little overlap between OB/GYN and other specialties. That means very little opportunity to come in with prior knowledge. You have to hit the ground running if you want to make a good impression with your attendings. Continue reading to learn more about how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN rotation, even if you’re not interested whatsoever in the profession!
Read, read, read
As I said, OB/GYN has a lot of information that does not appear in any other specialty. Therefore, if you want to learn how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN rotation, you must read. There is no such thing as too much reading. There are so many things to learn in such a short time. You are not going to impress your attending if you are clueless every time they ask you a question.
But, OB/GYN is busy, so there’s no time for them to teach you everything that you need to know.
Therefore, you have to take responsibility for your own learning. The only way you are going to do that is by finding the resources that work for you, and then using them to your advantage everyday. This isn’t like the first two years of medical school where you have some time to slack off. You literally have to take advantage of every second because you never know when you’re going to be pimped. I really enjoyed using First Aid for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and OnlineMedEd to learn everything I needed for the rotation.
Take interest in every aspect
Another tip for how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN rotation is to really take interest in every aspect. Even if you have no desire of going into that specialty, it’s still important to take interest. And I don’t mean lie or fake that you love it. It’s okay to say that you are not interested in going into OB/GYN. It stops them from investing too much time in teaching you all these aspects of the profession because they think you’re interested.
However, that doesn’t mean sit in the shadows and act like you don’t care. Appreciate the rotation for what it is. Really diving into OB/GYN during those 4-12 weeks because it is a part of your education. It may be the only time that you get to experience the process of birthing a child or taking care of women in their most vulnerable moment. Even if you hate every moment of it, try to enjoy it for what it is, and get the most out of it.
Be ready to run
OB/GYN is busy and it waits for no one. If you are late, then you’re already missing things. Therefore, if you want to learn how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN rotation, then you have to be ready to run. Things move really fast in OB/GYN. Babies are literally born at any second. Therefore, you are literally running to go and deliver babies, back to clinic, up to check on postpartum, and then running to do a c-section.
Therefore, you just have to be ready to keep up with your doctors. They can’t chase you down. You need to be available. Hiding somewhere, or being invisible is not going to bode you well. If your attending needs to track you down to find you, they won’t. You’ll just be left behind. I’ve literally been scrubbing into a surgery (NOT EVEN LATE), walked into the OR right and the mother was already being cut into. Things move so fast, you must be ready to keep up or you won’t get everything out of your rotation that you can.
Be nice and compassionate
Remember, nice matters. This is important in every rotation. However, being nice is especially important in OB/GYN. Being nice is a major component of how to get a great evaluation in your OB/GYN rotation. OB/GYN is a special rotation, because you are a part of a life-changing moment for those women. You also are a part of some of the most vulnerable times of their life.
There are few places where women are more vulnerable than the gynecologist. They may have an STI, infertility, menopause, or unbearable menstrual problems. It’s important that you are fully engaged and show compassion for them. There can be some very sensitive topics that are discussed in those rooms. And looking over to see someone staring at the ceiling, or with their eyes glued to their watch is not very comforting.
Don’t forget to be nice to the nurses and the support staff. When you need information on a patient, they can truly make or break your rotation. You will either be the most prepared, or the most clueless student, because they will not help you if you are not kind to them. Regardless of how you may see others treat them (even the doctors sometimes) your role is always to be nice and respectful. And even if they aren’t the most warm to you, most of the time it is not personal. They have a job to do, and so do you.
Work hard and show improvement
Last, but not least, it’s going to be important for you to work hard and show improvement. You are going to struggle the first week or so. It’s okay. This is a completely new rotation. However, as time goes on, you can’t keep making the same mistakes. You have to show some improvement, and that is going to entail you working hard. Improvement takes effort, and it takes you going above and beyond. Even being receptive and open to feedback is important. They are there to correct you, and even if the tone or manner in which they correct you is off putting, it’s the underlying message that is most important.
Key Takeaway
OB/GYN is a rotation that is nothing like you’ve ever had before. That’s what makes it so exciting. There are plenty of opportunities for you to learn and experience things that you’ve never experienced. You get to take place in a person’s life in moments that will change their lives forever. You were in the room when life was brought into the world. This specialty combines surgery, primary care, continuity care, etc. It’s all of healthcare in one specialty. Regardless of how you feel about it, keep all these tips in mind because the most important thing is that you get that great evaluation!
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