books to get BEFORE starting clinicals

[beefy]

any suggestions?

thanks

[Tazzaras]

if you are not going to have a PDA, then maxwells and pharmacopia are a MUST.

Sanford's guide is good too but for me I was able to get a free copy through my attendings at the hospital that may not be the case for you and what not.

I don't see any other book being that much more useful. Boards and Wards is also good to have at home for reference

[NYladoo]

any suggestions?

thanks

I liked blueprints for almost all core rotations, for example: surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and psychiatry. I also supplemented those books with Kaplan USMLE step 2CK books and First Aid. If you study well during your cores, you will need less time to study closer to USMLE Step 2 and will have time to do tons of questions on Q-bank(s) of your choice. This is my opinion.

[RussianJoo]

I liked blueprints for almost all core rotations, for example: surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and psychiatry. I also supplemented those books with Kaplan USMLE step 2CK books and First Aid. If you study well during your cores, you will need less time to study closer to USMLE Step 2 and will have time to do tons of questions on Q-bank(s) of your choice. This is my opinion.

so no need to read harrison's and other texts? just blue prints, FA, and Kaplan is enough to do well in the wards? also do you have any opinion on the pretest series?

[NYladoo]

so no need to read harrison's and other texts? just blue prints, FA, and Kaplan is enough to do well in the wards? also do you have any opinion on the pretest series?

I didn't say that's all you need, but those are some of the books I used. To do well in clinicals, you will also need to read from Harrison's, Cecil's, uptodate.com, journal articles, and other sources to learn the various specialties in medicine. The books I mentioned will help with core exams and USMLE step 2CK prep.

[RussianJoo]

ok thanks.

[beefy]

if you are not going to have a PDA, then maxwells and pharmacopia are a MUST.

Sanford's guide is good too but for me I was able to get a free copy through my attendings at the hospital that may not be the case for you and what not.

I don't see any other book being that much more useful. Boards and Wards is also good to have at home for reference

would an iPhone be as good, if not better than a PDA? and what kind PDA/software would you recommend?

Epocrates for iPhone is coming out soon, and seems to be quite good.. but other than that I have no idea if the iPhone has PDA-replacement potential for clinicals.. thanks