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.

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No man has any special right because he belongs to any specific race; just by saying the word man, we have already said all the rights.

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

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AUC Grad - 100k
ERAS - $1,000
Interviews - $3,500
EM Residency - Priceless

Patients beware!!!

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.

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.

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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.

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No man has any special right because he belongs to any specific race; just by saying the word man, we have already said all the rights.

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.

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No man has any special right because he belongs to any specific race; just by saying the word man, we have already said all the rights.

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.

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Dr. Scott
Internal Medicine
PGY-1

AUC Forum Moderator

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??), 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...).

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GI Elective [x].......Wards [x]
Wards [x] ............Night Float []
MICU [x] .............CCU []
Wards [x] ............PGY 1 1/2 []
Elective!![x]..........Move Complete[]
VACATION!!!! [x]

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

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Relax and Soon it shall Pass
MS-3

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

Thanks!!