Day in the Life: Family Medicine

As you might already know from the onslaughtĀ of pictures I’ve been posting on Instagram, I’m currently on my first audition rotation. I’ve spokenĀ with representatives from this program several times over the years, from all theĀ Hospital Days to the FM conference.

My main interests “outside” of Family Medicine include sports medicine, preventative care + working with under-served populations…and I also really like GeriatricsĀ andĀ Peds (but I don’t want to do either of thoseĀ exclusively). The quotes are because FM would allow me to do all of this and more. (Thankfully!)

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When I talked to them last, they asked me what I was interested in, and since I already knew they had a free clinic, I told them outpatient FM and sports med, and they split my rotation so that I could do both! <3

But wait! It gets better!

The sports medicine part of my rotation starts this week and I’m super excited! Because I’m a champion secret-keeper, I’ve been super hush-hush about this, but…guess who’s workin’ the Little League World Series!?!?

:D!?!?!? (Yes, that would be me!)

My rotation here officially ends on the 28th, but I get to stay the weekend to work the weekend. :] I’m signed up for 13 games, and super super excited!

Day in the Life: Family Medicine

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A Typical Day

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.Morning Report

I grab breakfast from the cafeteria somewhere around 7:15-7:20-ish, and we convene in the conference room to go over clinical cases/correlates!

8:30 – 12:30 p.m.Office Hours

After morning report, I work with one of the residents or one of the preceptors to see their patients and work up different cases. I’m probably really biased because outpatient is my favorite, so I’m definitely really happy to get to be in a clinic again, and I love getting to talk with the patients. Rotating with different preceptors/attendingsĀ every day also lets me get to know everyone, which is a definite plus when you’re looking into a program that you’re interested in!

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.Lunch Conference

We grab lunch from the cafeteria and settle back into the conference room for a presentation on something pertinent to either our education/life (e.g. acute low back pain management, things to look out for when looking for a job as a 3rd-year resident, etc.).

1:30 – 5/6-ish p.m.Office Hours

I pair up with another resident or preceptor and go take histories/examine their patients, then report back to the person I’m working with, and we discuss our differential diagnosis + our plan for each patient. I’ve probably said this before, but one of the things I enjoy most about FM is the variety of cases–from well child checks to follow-ups on fractured toes, Medicare exams, preventative care visits, counseling on depression/anxiety/dependence, strange rashes…we get to see it all!

5/6-ish p.m. – 12 a.m.Miscellaneous

I befriended the other medical students that are here, and we collectively joined the Y across the street (they counted us as college students, so it’s $25 for the month)! It’s brand spankin’ new, and has everything I need, including free group exercise classes to jump in on! We’ve also gone out to frolic through Wegmans, to get froyo, BBQ, and I also went hiking through Ricketts Glen!

There are several evening clinics, so we evenly dispersed ourselves throughout those! I went to the prison clinic on my first day, and the STD clinic last week, andĀ I’m hoping I’ll be able to check out the free clinic next Monday.Ā There’s also an option to take evening call!

I also discovered a Steinway in the main lobby on my first day, and may or may not have coerced the front staff to let me play it during my freeĀ evenings. :D!

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Passersby have been getting a random mix of video game music (mostly Final Fantasy + Chrono Trigger), classical music, random instrumentals that I love (by David Lanz, Ludovico Einaudi, Richard Clayderman, Yiruma, + George Winston), and also a whole lot of I’m-completely-making-this-up-right-now-because-I’m-out-of-ideas-and-sheet-music tunes. I find it rather flattering when people stop and sit down on the couches nearby to listen, and apparently, no one can tell that I’m making stuff up. <3

Meals

With my ID, I get free meals in the cafeteria, and when the cafeteria’s closed, I can get free Subway…and if I get sick of that, the residents told me to go talk to them, and they’d take me out for food. (What world have I stepped into?!)

There’s also a monthly potluck meal, as well as a board that illustrates all the good eats in town (situated next to a map of all the pretty trails to explore nearby <3).

There was a rope swing to play around on! :D!

There was a rope swing to play around on! :D!

Parking

This hospital is ginormous, and covers a wholeeee ton of ground, so there’s plenty of parking everywhere, and it is (thankfully) also free!

Housing

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IĀ have my own room andĀ bathroom in the hospital! (Not even a roommate to share it with!) It has a ginormous desk, 2 dressers, 2 beds, a night table, 2 chairs, a full-length mirror, a TV that plays DVDs, and is located in the resident area, which is outfitted with…

  • 2Ā showers
  • 3 call rooms (for PGY1, PGY2, PGY3–decked out with beds, TVs, desks, treadmills and dip machines)
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven
  • Tub of happiness (filled with candy!)
  • Huge bookshelf in the hallway with a bunch of reviewĀ books covering all sorts of different specialties
  • Ginormous lounge with super-comfy couches, a TV, and a bunch of DVDs

I’ll admit, sometimes it’s a little weird living in the hospital because we’ll go days in here and realize that we haven’t stepped outside in quite a while. (“Wait, I went to the prison on Monday! Does that count?”) Good thing we joined the gym too?!

Check out my past “Day in the Life” posts!

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18 comments

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  1. I looks busy but fun! You got lucky with your room too!
    Emilie recently posted…Pico de Gallo RecipeMy Profile

    1. Hahaha, it’s only fitting that after I published this post, I had to move outta my room into my friend’s room! (There’s a new male student so he couldn’t stay with any of us.)

  2. It is so exciting you get to work with the Little League World Series! Way to combine Sports Med and Peds!

    Even if you now have to share the room, the rooms look really nice and it’s neat that you get free meals in the caf (although I’m sure the food gets old) and Subway and get to go to the gym. I could see where living in the hospital and working there all day it would be easy to go days without getting out so at least you have the gym and hikes and other fun restaurants to go to :)
    Amy Lauren recently posted…Training for Fall Races (August 10-16)My Profile

    1. Agreed! :D One of the many things I adore about FM! The assistant director is drawing up an official schedule for me tonight and I’m super excited!

      The rooms are really nice, and I definitely can’t complain! At least I get to room with one of the friends I made here as opposed to a complete stranger! :] There’s been enough variety that I’m still a-okay for meals thus far. If we get tired of it or want a change, there usually doesn’t need to be much arm-twisting to venture out and try a new restaurant! :]

    • Ricardo on August 17, 2015 at 9:25 am
    • Reply

    So, can I get an invite to the little league world series or what? =p

    1. hahaha, I don’t have that level of power, good sir!

  3. I need a tub of happiness! And that is so much fun that you will be working the LLWS! I tell you what, you will still very much be getting to deal with the family aspect of medicine with that!
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…A Damn Perfect Weekend and 7 Years TogetherMy Profile

    1. Indeed I shall! I’m super excited for it! Just two more days til it starts! :]!

  4. I saw your post on IG that you were hiking at Ricketts Glen! Where in PA ar you?!
    Jill recently posted…The State of My LegMy Profile

    1. I’m in Williamsport for another 2 weeks! :D

  5. I love reading about your days in med school. It definitely sounds like you are enjoying this part!
    Dana recently posted…Kid-Friendly San DiegoMy Profile

    1. For sure! :D 4th year is wonderful! (Stressful and a lot of work still, but it’s nice to have no shelf exams to study for! :]! )

  6. That’s some legit digs ;)
    FM is so interesting! You do get everything under the sun! Perfect to keep from boredom :P
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Smokey & Sweet Peanut SlawMy Profile

    1. Agreed! :D I love all the variety, hehehe. :]

  7. Call me crazy… but this seems like you happy place! Sounds like a great option! Love all the free food :-)
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…About that Time the Hubs Flew Us to the Bahamas…My Profile

    1. hahaha, I’m definitely having a lot of fun here! :] They offer something for pretty much all of my interests! <3
      Farrah recently posted…Review: Learning To Breathe FireMy Profile

  8. LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES?! So cute!!
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Monday motivation – rule your mindMy Profile

    1. It was supposed to start today, but we got rained out (nooo!). 8 games tomorrow though! <3 I'm so excited!
      Farrah recently posted…Review: Learning To Breathe FireMy Profile

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