Average Day for the 2nd Year Resident
For the 2 nd-year ophthalmology resident at U of L, life is pretty good. Although you still take first call, you no longer have to cover the weekends. This provides more time for studying, of course! You’ll need it, because your responsibilities are growing. You now have the basics under your belt, so you will be taking a larger role in patient management. The 2 nd-year residents cover the various consult services, depending on rotation (PCC=University Hospital, VA=VA Medical Center, Peds=Kosair Children’s Hospital). You will see new floor consults, follow patients in-house, and be responsible for relaying information on patient status to your attendings. This is particularly important, as your attendings will generally not see every patient every day. They will rely on you to alert them to problems. Depending on how busy the consult service is and/or how serious the patients’ conditions are, you may have to visit the hospital (after clinic or during lunch) only a couple days per week or every day. The clinics typically run until 4:30 or 5:00. While in clinic, the 2 nd-year has the additional responsibility of performing all (or at least most) of the laser procedures on the PCC and VA rotations. These include pan-retinal photocoagulations (direct and indirect techniques), laser peripheral iridotomies, YAG capsulotomies/membranotomies, and argon laser trabeculoplasties. There are certain scheduled blocks for lasers, but there will also be occasional “work-in” procedures. The 2 nd-year is the primary surgeon on a more regular basis, for cataract cases while on the PCC and VA rotations and for muscles cases while on Peds. As you approach 3 rd year, the graduating residents will be stepping back, as they prepare to start their jobs or move on to fellowships. You will shift from first call to backup call in May, and your surgical load will increase further. It just keeps getting better!
Todd Purkiss, MD, PhD