Advice needed for clinicals

[TheAlchemist]

Hi all

I am starting clinicals soon (IM-baltimore-first rotation).

What resources would ppl recommend, in terms of books, reference books, guides, reference guides, PDA e-resources to have loaded, etc...?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[bookite]

Get a good book for the specific rotation like first aid for the IM clerkship or blue prints for IM etc.
good luck

[Scientific]

There is only ONE source that you need as far as information for your clinicals. The Kaplan Review Notes for Step II have all of the information that you need for your rotation and for your shelves. The only one which you may need a supplemental book for is Surgery and just use the Surgery Case Files and you'll be fine. DO NOT USE TOO MANY SOURCES!! That will be a waste of your time and energy. Kaplan has all you need and moreover, if you start using that to study with from the start, then when you get to Step II, you will have already gone through the information in detail already so it would just be review.

For day to day, I would suggest getting a PDA. It comes in very handy. There are a TON of free programs, so don't waste your money buying any. Epocrates (free version), Merck Manual (has all the information on the different disease, diagnoses, etc., and it comes with Pocket Guide to clinical Tests which pretty much breaks down any lab test you'll be using on your patients.....VERY helpful), and Diagnosaurus are all free programs, and are all VERY helpful. In addition, buy Maxwell's (it's only about $7 I think). Good investment....you'll need it.

Please, don't waste your money with Blueprints, and DO NOT BUY HARRISONS!!!! They are very wordy and, Kaplan is more to the point (it has what you need in the format that it will be tested). It will save you a LOT of time and energy. I also use First-aid for the Wards sometimes, but it's more for a quick, brief overview....not enough info for the shelfs or Step II.

[stateofequilibrium]

PDA: Get Epocrates. Much more efficient than carrying and thumbing through a pharm book. Whether you buy any of the other stuff online is up to you, though they're handy references when you and the resident are at a loss.

Harrison's and blueprints? I bought blueprints because everyone said they were so great, after the first few weeks never touched them again. But Harrison's, I use it all the time. It's very handy to have especially if your attending likes to throw presentations at you.

[TheAlchemist]

Thank you for the advice.

Could you please give me the full title of the books, so I can look them up on amazon's or some other book site?

Thank you.

[TheAlchemist]

These are the 4 books that are suggested.

1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th Edition (Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine) (Hardcover)

2. First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK (Kindle Edition)

3. First Aid for the Internal Medicine Boards (First Aid) (Paperback)

4. Maxwell Quick Medical Reference (Maxwell, Quick Medical Reference Maxwell, Quick Medical Refe) (Spiral-bound)


I think this is what you guys were referring to? Anyone want to expand on this list, or take out one of the books?


Thanks.

PS: is an opthalmascope something that a student MUST have when doing Internal Medicine? or can it be bummed off the hospital? I was told in a letter that I need a stethescope, opthalmascope, and a reflex hammer. I can't seem to find my opthalmascope.

[Scott1981]

something that i would have liked to have done but didnt was doing usmleworld at a slower pace. doing questions from the current rotation specialty (instead of cramming it all at the end). i think doing that, while combining note taking from the questions will get you to ace the shelfs and step 2.

[rokshana]

There is only ONE source that you need as far as information for your clinicals. The Kaplan Review Notes for Step II have all of the information that you need for your rotation and for your shelves
...and DO NOT BUY HARRISONS!!!!


this depends on what your goals are. Are you just studying for CK? Then yes, this, FA and World are all you need to do well. But if you are really looking to learn the material? Then these are hardly primary sources and there are alot of info missing. And NEVER EVER tell your attending your source was Kaplan or Blueprints....or any other review book.

Harrison's is yes big and yes at times wordy (what are you gonna be a surgeon??:D), but very well written and actually quite an easier read than expected. If you have access to Harrison's Online, then you can print out the chapter that is relevant to your pt and then it doesn't seem so big (or wordy...).

[DocSAMMD]

Alchemist are u seriously asking this question come on bro u know i got the hook up.

Pocket Version for harrison's fits in your lab coat and is awesome
ISBN-10: 0071444416
ISBN-13: 978-0071444415
The Big versions is TOO BIG

Blue prints is a nice read
KAPLAN IS AWESOME attendee tried to Pimp me I had him in the first 10 pages of my book.

EPOCRATES EPOCRATES EPOCRATES

oh yea and for your first week in a rotation first aide for the wards.

ttyl

[abl13]

Hi, would you suggest getting a PDA or a smartphone?? Do the smartphones use Epocrates and the other programs that were mentioned?

Thanks!!

[FOID]

Hi, would you suggest getting a PDA or a smartphone?? Do the smartphones use Epocrates and the other programs that were mentioned?

Thanks!!

you're able to use epocrates on any windows mobile platform, palm os, or even on the iphone

[Scott1981]

epocrates crashed my treo phone (windows platform) many times. and ive spoken to others that ran it on windows.... at best.... it was very slow. it works much better on palm.

[FOID]

epocrates crashed my treo phone (windows platform) many times. and ive spoken to others that ran it on windows.... at best.... it was very slow. it works much better on palm.

i never had any problems with my palm treo 680 (palm os). but you're right though. epocrates for windows platform does crash many times.

[LMX1B]

Just wait a month and put it on the iPhone. Epocrates programmers have already said that the iPhone version will be better than any other version, since the iPhone is much more powerful and has a higher resolution (and larger) display. From the little mock up version that they created in two weeks, it already looked better than the palm or windows mobile version. In general, I'd stay far away from anything that runs windows mobile.

[kemper6036]

Just wait a month and put it on the iPhone. Epocrates programmers have already said that the iPhone version will be better than any other version, since the iPhone is much more powerful and has a higher resolution (and larger) display. From the little mock up version that they created in two weeks, it already looked better than the palm or windows mobile version. In general, I'd stay far away from anything that runs windows mobile.

your act is coming apart slevit!!!!!!

[BiologyBY]

Hey guys, what about Oxford vs Harrison's, anyone has any input?

[DrFraud]

Hey guys, what about Oxford vs Harrison's, anyone has any input?

If your planning on crossing 'the big pond' go with Oxford otherwise if you are staying in America then consider the Mass General Handbook of Pocket Medicine and the Maxwell Quick Reference cards

[stateofequilibrium]

Harrison's is a good book to have around as well

[BiologyBY]

Thanks guys

[abl13]

Hi, does anyone know where we can get the free version of the mobile Merck Manual?? Is there a specific website or should we buy it online for use on a PDA?? Thanks.