I have the opportunity to defer my 3rd year psych clerkship and take something else before my 4th year starts. I was wondering if anyone thinks this would be a good idea. I was thinking of maybe doing SICU and possibly a rads elective before doing my first ortho subI. Any thoughts?

If your goal is to do well on your subI, I personally doubt that either SICU or rads will be particularly helpful. I would just do something relaxing (like psych or rads) so you start out your sub-i energetic and enthusiastic and, if you want, use the extra time you've got on your hands to prep for whatever pimp questions you might be asked on your sub-i. Although if you really feel you need extra clinical preparation, I think a true surgical elective (maybe vascular?) would be much more helpful than SICU or rads.

I did a MSK radiology month before my sub-Is and found it extremely helpful. I was able to read knee/shoulder/spine MRIs with pretty good accuracy on my aways. Also helped reinforce alot of my ortho anatomy.

SICU was the best rotation I did in all of med school. Placed lots of lines, learned how to manage pain, acute BP issues.

I'd recommend MSK first though.

i would agree that a good MSK radiology rotation would be helpful and really allow to look good on your subI. plus, usually the rads rotations are more low key and will afford you the time to study for ortho stuff...i would suggest a SICU rotation before you leave med school as well