| What exactly is the "sub-I"? The subinternship began historically during World War II. A national shortage of medical interns necessitated recruitment of senior medical students to assist with clinical duties on the hospital wards. The sub-I later evolved into an essential rite of passage for graduating medical students. While many medical schools do not require a subinternship to graduate ... the overwhelming majority of senior medical students elect to participate in a subinternship on their own accord. For most students, it marks the transition from "student" to "doctor." It is the first rotation where students are held personally responsible for the daily care of their patients. No longer are students free to come and go between the classroom and the library. With the start of the subinternship, students are tied to the daily events of their patients and have a professional duty to be available for all new clinical developments. The emphasis of the rotation is more about learning professionalism and responsibility, rather then just increasing one's knowledge base. The sub-I can be a stressful time, as students learn to navigate the sometimes frustrating ropes of patient care. However, most graduating students look back on their sub-I as a valuable endeavor and one of the most formative experiences of medical school. On behalf of the teaching faculty and the residents ... we welcome you aboard. For the next four weeks, you will be expected to operate at the level of a Northwestern Medical Intern. This task will challenge even the most talented student. We trust you will give your best effort each day. You will be rewarded at the end with a passing grade ... More importantly, you will be rewarded with the knowledge gained from caring for a diverse and complex group of patients at a major urban referral hospital. Good luck, we're glad you are here. The patients (and residents) need your help. | |
