John Matulis OMSIVSam Licciardo MSIV

What Med School might be like: the experiences of a

couple of Clarkies

OutlineMock patient encounterWe will talk about…

Paying for schoolStandardized testsPartyingApplying to schoolChoosing SchoolsSurviving ClassesDoes the thrill endure?

The Patient EncounterBasic Outline – -we figure out the story (anyone can do this)-we ask the right questions… (medical

knowledge comes into play)-We try and figure out what some of the

possible causes of the problem are-We run some of our own tests-We narrow our list down-We figure out who we need help from and

what treatment the patient might need

What we are going to think about during this case…What’s going on with those pre-med classes?What’s the point of doing all that extra-

curricular stuff?Does my day to day life impact how good of a

doctor I am?What do you actually learn to do in medical

school?New Language (e.g. - tinnitus, paroxsysmal

nocturnal dyspnea, steatorrhea, and obstipation to name a few)

New KnowledgeWhat does the word Doctor mean to me?

Meet EugeneEugene is a 78 y/o male coming to his PCP’s

office with multiple past medical problems including a history of tobacco use, COPD, Coronary Artery Disease, High Blood Pressure, and chronic low back pain from a bulging disk.

Today he is complaining of new onset burning sensation with urination. He also mentions he had been told he had a heart murmur the last time he was hospitalized about 4 months ago and wants to have that “checked on”.

You’re a third year medical student on the first day of your family medicine clerkship.

Where do you start?Get some more history.How functional is he? What is his current

quality of life?What are his goals of treatment?Support structure?What medical problems most limit his

functionality?What problems can you actually help him

with?How motivated is he to work on long-term

problems?

What you find out

What to do for this nice gentlemanTreat his clap- Rocephin 1 gram once,

doxycycline 100 mg q/12 hours x 2 weeksCardiology follow-up for Aortic Stenosis as it is

effecting his functional statusUpdate med list to optimize management of

cholesterol, blood pressure, COPD, CAD, and Chronic pain

Dexa scan for Bone DensityFollow-up with family to assess need for part

time assistance in performing ADL’s. Check Medicare status to ensure there is a viable payor

So, Why all these premed courses?Aortic Stenosis flow mechanics (physics)Structure of Penicillin or Cephalosporin and

how chemistry affects efficacy (treatment of N.Gonorrhea) (orgo)

Molecular signaling pathways in Osteoporosis (say we decide to give bone density screen) and how bisphosphonates may work on these (molecular bio)

“Does the thrill Endure”

Paying for it

Standardized TestsBoring rant about MCAT, USMLE, and

Comlex

PartyingWill try to come up with some good pics

ApplyingMCAT’s/Grades – gets you noticed and keeps you in

the running…Whole Application + Interview – gets you accepted!

What’s the best type of hospital volunteer experience?

What should I be doing with extra curriculars?Whats with this whole interview thing?

Word of Advice – GET THAT APPLICATION IN EARLY EARLY EARLY!!!

Clarkies make great doctors!!Taking a year (on) in between college and medical

school…

Choosing SchoolsApply broadly and think realistically about your optionsLocation is an okay reason to pick a school. What is the “Match List” and what does it say about a

school?Which hospitals are affiliated with the school and what is

the patient population like?Some smaller things to think about when choosing…

Is there a large research component to the curriculum? When do you transition to clinical years? Do you have patient contact in the basic science years? How does the school foster critical thinking? Are there small groups? Large

lectures? Do you get exposure to ethics/policy/current events/etc. What areas does the school excel at? Which residency programs are highly

regarded? Does the school provide students with scholarships/stipends/fellowships,

basically money to do interesting clinical electives, research, international work?

How does the advising work?

Surviving ClassesTEAMWORK! – first and foremost!

Discuss cases, quiz each other, pose what-if’s, etc.Realize what you are actually studying for…

You will be taking basic science tests, writing ethics papers, taking standardized clinical tests, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, etc…

And…. when you thought it couldn’t be any more difficult, you hear…. “Doc, what do you think is going on? Am I going to be okay? What does this mean? Am I a bad person? What can I expect? What’s the next step? What do I tell my family? How can I pay for this?.... Why me….These questions are by far the hardest to study for!

Understand what type of a learner you are…Figure out all the different ways your new knowledge

contributes to patient care… I won’t lie med school is tough, you need to have your

thing that keeps you sane!

‘Does the thrill endure?’YES!Taking care of people simply feels greatYou are always learning more from your

patients, colleagues, and many more..The technology and science is changing

constantlyYour job and responsibilities will change

throughout your career.

Questions??

Contact InfoBrian GodardPracticing Doctor of Optometry in

Connecticut

John MatulisWill be an Internal Medicine Resident at

Sam Licciardo – Will be an Emergency Medicine Resident at

UMass Medical CenterSamuel.Licciardo@gmail.com