As a medical student, I worked harder and more hours than any of my other 3 ortho rotations, with several days working 36 hours or more without sleep. Warning to other medical students: unlike some places on VSAS, UTSW does not refuse students who apply for away rotations. If you don't have 250+ on step 1 and step 2, don't bother rotating or applying here unless you are just looking for a letter or educational experience. Having said that, I enjoyed working with the faculty and residents at this program and learned a considerable amount.
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
I rotated in the sports medicine service for four weeks and the staff was fantastic. They were all excellent teachers to the residents and students and provided appropriate supervision and allowed for individual responsibility. Very little supervision during the night for second year residents doing consults.
Didactics / Teaching
Morning report done by second year residents, other didactics done on a rotation specific basis. Weekly anatomy identifying structures and surgical approaches with prosected cadavers is largely a pimping session for visiting medical students but a good review.
Operating Experience
In my experience, residents were able to operate starting as second years. Parkland Memorial has no shortage of patients requiring surgery and case volume is extremely high.
Clinic Experience
Sports medicine clinic is resident run.
Research Opportunities
N/A
Residents
Residents are for the most part intelligent and hard working. They get along well and have weekly dinner and breakfast get-togethers. Some married, some single.
Lifestyle
Early mornings and long days, even on usually less time-intensive services. On call nights are non-stop and residents rarely get any sleep, but are usually off post-call. Due to large volume of patients at Parkland, OR availability can be especially limited and cause significant delays and postponed surgeries.
Location / Housing
Downtown Dallas has some sketchy areas. There are 3 hospitals on the campus and residents round on patients at more than one hospital. Parking is a hassle. Many residents live close by in apartments.
Limitations
Lifestyle, location
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
Strong academic program with plenty of operative experience. Undesirable location and lifestyle.
