Posts

What is PGY-4 like?

PGY-4 could be very different for everyone. This is because of the specialty you choose. I chose Geriatric Medicine, which is an extension of medicine... if you though Internal Medicine residency was difficult, then GM is half the hours, but just as much work. This is because the nature of diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness and complex medical conditions in the elderly population. Nonetheless, I believe this fellowship will allow me to become a robust internal medicine physician in the near future. As our population is aging, we need to identify geriatric complex issues within healthcare for our patients. GM is not only a vital field in IM, but any other subspecialty. It is a foundation to great and optimal patient care in the near future, and yet, we do not get much of it in residency.  Artificial Intelligence summarized GM fellowship to me in a nutshell, and I would like to share it with you -- Geriatric medicine curricula focus on comprehensive, person-centered care fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Study for the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) Examination

For those who do not know the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) Examination is an examination for those who have graduated from an accredited Internal Medicine Residency Program must take to be Board Certified. If passed, you get the credential of being a "Board-Certified Physician" rather than just a "Physician". I started studying in fellowship (after July 1st), as prior this I did not have time and did not realize how much time it would take me. I like to create study plans in advance, so I did for this as well, but I did not realize that it will take me longer. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examinations) are "board" examinations for medical students and medical interns to obtain a medical license to practice medicine in residency with a temporary license and then obtain permanent licenses (limited - for those who are in fellowship can pick this as you are still in training but will be able to moonlight in your program with your tempor...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is PGY-3 like?

 It has been a while.  If you are here today, then you probably are a medical resident or student who wants to know what the last year of Internal Medicine Residency is like. Flashback to the first day of third year - July 1, 2023: I just finished PGY-2 year yesterday during the day in the ICU, and returned back to the hospital in the ICU to cover ICU nights on Saturday night 24 hours later... crazy, how just yesterday I was in my second year and in a flash, I am one of the most senior residents in our program.  Third year was definitely the best year for me. I discussed PGY-1 and PGY-2 in previous posts. Combining them together, PGY-3 was a year that I was able to apply the knowledge I attained and create the efficiency I mastered which allowed me to spread wisdom during my last year.  I would say I was able to manage my professional and personal life better. Of course, in any workplace, there are improvements that could happen whether at the individual level or at ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is PGY-2 like?

The second year residency could be quite challenging. Although in first year, you’re trying to understand how the hospital workflow is, as well as how the electronic medical record system works, you also learn how to manage patients at the level of an intern. This basically means you are admitting patients getting the most information you can, so you can interpret it with your attending and senior resident. However when you’re a senior, you’re not responsible for interpreting objective data, and ensuring that patient care is optimized. And the beginning, it is a learning curve to ensure that everything gets done. As time goes on, you become more independent to be able to make clinical decisions. Second year can be challenging, because not only are you learning how to be a senior resident to an intern, you’re also learning how to lead and teach while making clinical decisions.  
Post a Comment
Read more

Who is Doctor PDG?

 Hi, everyone.  I wanted to make this post, so you get to see the real side of me... Just as some thoughts from me to you -- Even before I started medical school, I feared that I would never get this far. Being a pre-med student was not easy. My personal life at the time impacted my professional and academic life. Although, I personally do not mix the two, the stresses took a mental toll on me and prevented me to make my own choices. Without getting into many details, socially I felt isolated and looking back in retrospect, I feel that I was dealing with sub-clinical depression. Now, this could have been because of my personal issues at the time or a result of my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which I was diagnosed after I graduated. However, once I was able to gain control of my personal life, I was able to create a better foundation for my professional life. I tried to have many experiences: volunteering and work in order to grow my C.V. and completely understand whether I wanted ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is PGY-1?

 First year of residency, which is post-graduate training for Medical Doctors, is called Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY-1), also known as, intern year. Each residency program have varying post-graduate years. Internal Medicine, the speciality I have chosen, is 3 years long. After internal medicine, you could choose to pursue fellowship. Intern year, as its name, is the year you learn how hospital systems work and how you can clinical treat patient. You learn how to come up with differential diagnoses and how to determine treatment plans for patients. You are supervised by a senior resident (either a resident in there PGY-2 or PGY-3 year). My personal experience as a PGY-1 was a mediocre experience. I say this, because having a good senior is vital in order to have a good experience. No matter how good of a resident you are, you will always be criticized. I learned to not take it personally anymore, but the first 6 months emotionally were tough for me. I highly recommend that you continu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Residency Applications

  How to prepare for Residency Applications at every rotation DO YOUR BEST PERFORMANCE. When preceptors see your hard work and your efforts, they will want to recommend you After each rotation, write thank you cards to your preceptors  Network with other attendings and give them than you cards before you leave the rotation Network with program directors (meet with them privately before leaving, too) and give them thank you cards, as well. At the beginning of 4th year, start reaching out to the preceptors of 3rd year requesting an LOR (insert sample here). For me I asked all my preceptors 3rd and 4th year, since I had a gap year. At the beginning of your 4th year, start preparing with the materials that are needed to be added to your application - MSPE application, personal statement, chair letter, etc. You will need to create multiple drafts of your personal statement. ENSURE to show it to at least 5 people - those in medicine and those not in medicine. Have the person...
Post a Comment
Read more