The rural routine

As I'm wrapping up my rural rotation, I think it's worth noting what my routine has been like for these four weeks. On weekdays (except Thursdays, which I have off):

I show up at Timberline Family Practice at 8am. From 8:00-8:30, I either discuss patients or learning objectives with my preceptor, or I read my textbook Essentials of Family Medicine. I see around 6-8 patients from 8:30am-1:00pm. Most of the patients I first see on my own, present them to my preceptor, then finish them together with my preceptor. Some patients I see with my preceptor from the beginning, either observing him or having him observe me.

Lunch break is from 1:00-2:00pm.

In the afternoon, I see around 4-6 patients from 2:00-5:00pm. Then I go for a run or otherwise relax, and I do a little more textbook reading before bed.

I'm keenly aware of how luxurious this schedule is. Once I start my Internal Medicine (Hospitalized Adult Care) rotation, I expect to be working around 12-16 hours per day, 6 days per week.