<p>I know that 3rd and 4th year medical students rotate between various departments, but what exactly do they do there? Example: Would a 4th year student working in the maternity ward actually help deliver a baby? Or would a one working in the surgery department perform sugery's?</p>
<p>You would watch, maybe they would let you present the case, or do a tiny little thing, but you are not going to do a surgery as a med student. They might let you do a tiny little thing like stitches or something not important. Delivering a baby, odds are no way but you never know. But in those two years you get clinical experience by basically pseudoworking as a doctor. You follow others around, see what they do, do a little yourself. Basically you dabble a litttle in all the forms of medicine you are interested in.</p>
<p>Duties for 3rd and 4th year medical students vary according to ability, the attending physician and the site of service. In general, responsibilities will be greater at county hospitals and more limited at private hospitals.</p>
<p>At county hospitals, medical students deliver babies, perform minor surgery, assist in major surgery -- all under supervision of residents and the attending physician. At private hospitals, medical students round on patients, present findings, attend lectures but fill a more smaller role.</p>