I'm starting this rotation tomorrow.....Any words of wisdom on how to prepare and survive for the next 3 months?

Thanks!

prepare to get pimped... prepare to be humiliated.. prepare to get yelled at... prepare to be playing twister in the OR while holding retractors and getting out of people's way.... prepare to not see daylight

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Finally beat Super Mario Bros within 7 mins.

However I'm looking for a more constructive advise on HOW TO STUDY or what books/references I should use to enhance my knowledge. Once again, thanks for the advise.....but I have walked that road before....and that is to be expected.

You did not mention where you will be doing your surgery rotation. This is important because every place is different. Some will say thats surgery recall is the best but the lawrence is great and concise. Also consider Sabiston

Essentials of General Surgery by Peter F. Lawrence $43.95 Used & New from: $19.95

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2006 Basketball National Champions + 2006 Football National Champions + 2007 Basketball National Champions
God must be a Florida Gator fan because everyday at sunset the sky turns orange and blue!!!

Its great to be a Florida Gator!!

Essentials is a great book, but good luck getting any time to read it!!

I suggest getting Surgery Recall and keeping it in your labcoat pocket at all times. That way you can study before each case and during any "downtime" (haha, yeah right) that you may get.

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BTS4202
St. Christopher's COM
4th Year
http://www.mdparadise.com

"If there really is a God, He has a lot of explaining to do"
- Dennis Leary

Surgery Recall is the name of the game.

Don't waste your time with any other books- espicially textbooks- you'll have little time to read anyways. Recall is awesome- even for medicine. One of the best books I used in all of med school.

When I did my surgery core we had 2 gunners in my rotation group. Both of those fools tried reading Sabiston. I hit Recall hard- anytime I had 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there and tried to read 30-60 minutes every night. Of course I would read the topics on which I had a case the next day. It took me about a month to get through the entire thing. Then the next 2 months I went over it (a lot quicker) again and again. The last 2 months of the rotation I was kicking butt when it came to pimp questions, both on the wards and in cases. I got an A in the rotation.

Funny ending, the week before the surgery test one of the gunners stated, in a little whiny baby voice "I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book!"

So where are you doing your surgery rotation at? Each hospital differs...some more laid back, others will work you to (near) death...

Also, would you like to go into surgery residency? or have no intention and just wish to complete the requirements? This will affect your attitude while you are in the rotation.

Anyways, I second/third...Surgery Recall....good to carry around in your pocket during downtime...

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Dr.A.
PGY-3 Pathology Resident

Sorry, I'm at St. Mary's in CT. Today was orientation....tomorrow we have to be here at 4:30 am!!!! better get some sleep tonight!

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted on how it goes for me....(whenever that might be LOL)

I have friends that did surgery at St MAry's. It generally regarded as one of the best surgery roations we have. Good luck.

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2006 Basketball National Champions + 2006 Football National Champions + 2007 Basketball National Champions
God must be a Florida Gator fan because everyday at sunset the sky turns orange and blue!!!

Its great to be a Florida Gator!!

I also did surgery at St. Mary's. I hated the rotation, but I learned sooooo much. Overall it is an awesome rotation. The reason I disliked it is I had/have no intention of going into surgery and hated the hours (4:45 AM - 6 PM on an average, non-call day).

The hospital kicks butt. Ultra-modern with three meals a day at the excellent cafeteria (they brew Starbucks!).

Best of luck.