Tips for a Family Medicine Rotation
Written by Rand Hashim
Family medicine is one of the broadest rotations of the third year in terms of the types of patients you see. Family medicine physicians are trained in both adults, pediatrics, and some OB/GYN procedures. My family medicine rotation was mostly outpatient with the opportunity to attend some deliveries.
Many of the office visits are related to health maintenance. This is a really good time to brush up on the USPTF guidelines for screening. It is important to review the following information to be best prepared for the clinic:
Some of the more common guidelines include ones for the following: mammogram, colonoscopy, ultrasound for AAA, CT scans for smokers, etc.
Learn the vaccines recommended for geriatric patients like the shingles and pneumonia vaccines. Additionally, since most of the pediatric visits are well-child checks, learning the vaccine schedule and developmental milestones are important for these visits! Another unique visit was the Medicare annual wellness check. This visit is the patient’s opportunity to get a full head-to-toe exam and has a checklist set by Medicare for preventative health aspects including safety and advance directives.
Another neat aspect of family medicine is the in-office procedures. Common ones include I&Ds, IUD placements and pap smears, biopsies, and freezing moles. It never hurts to ask to be involved in these procedures. Most patients are willing to let you participate!
One of the aspects of an outpatient-heavy rotation is that you should learn the workflow of the clinic. Often some medical assistants room the patients and either tell you when they are ready or update the EMR with this information. Try to spend the first few days observing and understanding the flow of your clinic. It never hurts to ask if you have questions or what your preceptor expects of you!
The shelf exam is one of the hardest ones as it incorporates aspects from the other rotations. If family medicine is one of your first rotations, try to brush up on the most important/frequently tested topics of medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN. Also, learn the guidelines for preventative health recommendations using the USPTF website as well as vaccine schedules for both pediatrics and adults.
Shelf exam resources:
OnlineMedEd for pediatrics, internal medicine, and OB/GYN
AnKING for Step 2
UWorld/Comquest/Amboss
Other test questions: AAFB Board Review or Pretest
This rotation is great for strengthening your history and physical exam skills. You will see plenty of patients of all different ages with a wide variety of chief concerns. This will help you hone in your differential diagnosis and plans as well! Always try to ask how you can be involved and participate and you will get so much out of your family medicine rotation.
