Med Students

Medscape's Ask the Experts allows you to ask members of a panel of leading experts for advice or information. You also have the opportunity to share your own views and insights by clicking the "Discuss this" link at the top of each response.

• What Should I Do When I Suspect That a Patient Is Suicidal? I work in a primary care setting. What is the best course of action if I suspect that a patient is suicidal?
  Primary Care for Advanced Practice Nurses, May 2008
• How Can We Prevent Functional Deterioration in the Hospitalized Elderly? I work in a long-term care setting and we often find that after a resident is hospitalized, they suffer setbacks in mobility and functional status. Can anything be done to prevent this?
  Geriatrics for Advanced Practice Nurses, May 2008
• What Are the Risks of Contracting MRSA From Domesticated Animals? Is there a risk of contracting MRSA from domesticated animals? An expert answers a reader's question about disease transmission from animals to humans.
  May 2008
• When Do Adults With Otitis Media With Effusion Need an ENT Referral? When should I make a surgical referral for possible tympanostomy tubes in an adult patient with otitis media with effusion?
  Primary Care for Advanced Practice Nurses, May 2008
• What If I Match a Residency Program I Don't Want? It's a graduating student's worst fear -- matching at a program that wasn't near the top of their list.
  Medical School and Residency, May 2008
• How Can I Handle the Pressure of Medical Training? High expectations from your superiors -- and from within yourself -- can generate a great deal of anxiety and stress.
  Medical School and Residency, March 2008
• Why Doesn't My Resident Trust Me? Most medical students are eager to take on more clinical responsibilities, so it can be frustrating to have a resident constantly looking over your shoulder.
  Medical School and Residency, January 2008
• Which Is More Important, Theoretical Knowledge or Practical Skills? This may be a difficult question to answer, but it is certainly worth pondering.
  Medical School and Residency, January 2008
• How Can I Integrate Basic Science With Clinical Practice? Both the basic sciences and the clinical experiences provided during medical school are important in shaping a future physician's practice.
  Medical School and Residency, January 2008
• What Should I Do If I'm Put on Probation? I was recently told that I was being placed on probation. What steps should I take next, and how can I cope with this situation?
  Medical School and Residency, January 2008
• How Should I Handle Complaining Colleagues? Other students can really bring you down with their complaining. How should you respond?
  Medical School and Residency, December 2007
• Which Shoes Are Best for Long Hospital Shifts? The best shoes for walking or running may not be the best bet for long periods of standing.
  Medical School and Residency, December 2007
• Can I Call in Sick When I'm on Call? Chances are, you'll have to face this issue more than once during training.
  Medical School and Residency, November 2007
• Do Residents Know When Students Are Slacking Off? Some students work really hard, while others always manage to cut corners. Can residents and attendings tell the difference?
  Medical School and Residency, October 2007
• Am I Unreasonable to Resent Scut Work? Hospital clerkships can be an exciting opportunity for med students, but they can be frustrating if you're asked to do a lot of menial tasks.
  Medical School and Residency, September 2007
• How Can I Get Enough Sleep During Training? "I often spend hours in bed, exhausted but unable to sleep. What should I do?"
  Medical School and Residency, August 2007
• How Do I Plan an Away Elective? Fourth year is a great time to discover what it's like at another teaching institution.
  Medical School and Residency, August 2007
• How Can Interns Teach Med Students? As a brand-new medical graduate, it may feel awkward to be involved in teaching medical students.
  Medical School and Residency, August 2007
• Coping With Stress During Residency How can medical students prepare for the stresses of residency and avoid burnout or depression?
  Medical School and Residency, May 2007
• What If Patients "Revise" Their Medical History? Sometimes, patients tell the attending a different story than what they'll tell a medical student.
  Medical School and Residency, May 2007

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