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Session 57
In today’s episode, Ryan and Allison talk about a number of relevant resources for premeds, medical students, and residents, whether you’re looking for books to help you prepare for your medical school applications or you simply want to take a breather and read some fun yet insightful books. (Plus, some movie recommendations and what stethoscope to use!)
By the way, we previously rolled out a post covering some of the top books we highly recommend premeds should read while not studying.
Resources for Premeds:
Important resources when trying to figure out which medical schools to apply to:
Fun books to read:
Atul Gawande’s Books: His books cover problems relating to health care as well as the practice of medicine and surgery today, and some resolutions to address those issues.
The Intern Blues: The Timeless Classic About the Making of a Doctor
A look into what life is like as an intern, which will give you a good view of the challenges faced.
White Coat: Becoming a Doctor at Harvard Medical School
About a physician’s medical school experience at Harvard.
A classic and a great read for any premed or medical student about a doctor’s internship journey. (Most modern hospital dramas are loosely based on this book.)
About a little girl from Laos with severe epilepsy living in California. The book takes you through their struggles and highlights the importance of cultural understanding and appreciation of diversity.
The Heartbeat of Success by Alexa Mieses
Everything I Learned in Medical School by Dr. Sujay Kansagra
MCAT Books
Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) Books (Recommended)
The Princeton Review MCAT Material
Practice Tests
The best thing about practice tests is reviewing them afterward!
Movie Recommendations:
Resources for 1st- and 2nd-Year Medical Students:
Important things to have:
- Your white coat!
- Lots of pens, highlighters, notebooks
- Mobile devices like tablet and computer
More things to consider:
- Find a good study buddy.
- Find a good study environment.
- Bring a change of clothes for the Anatomy Lab.
Books:
Get Frank Netter’s books for classic anatomy stuff
Review Guides:
For allopathic students:
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (get this early)
Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History-Taking
Resources for 3rd- and 4th-Year Medical Students:
Books:
Maxwell Quick Medical Reference
Teaches you how to write SOAP note, transfer note, admissions note, and more cheat sheets
Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2014 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition (Pharmacy bible for medical students and attending physicians)
Other Pocket Books:
Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine (Pocket Notebook)
The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, Print + Online
The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy
For Surgical Rotation:
Surgical Recall book with bullet points
iPhone Apps
Epocrates (electronic version of the Pharmacopoeia)
MedCalc (great calculator for different medical formulas)
Dynamed (clinical summaries on different medical topics)
VisualDX (diagnosis and treatment plan)
Boards & Wards for USMLE Steps 2 & 3 (Boards and Wards Series)
Stethoscope:
3M Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope
Ophthalmoscope & Otoscope:
(you don’t really need to buy one)
Other Stuff You Need to Have:
Websites:
Peer-reviewed data on diagnosis, treatment plans, etc. (you only have access to it at the hospital because they’re paid for)
Shelf Prep Books:
Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series)
MKSAP 16: Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (ACP, MKSAP Print Version Parts A&B Pkg)
Bibles for Medicine:
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine: Volumes 1 and 2, 18th Edition
Resources for Residents:
Board Review Books
Sleep
Food
Family Time
Coffee
Links and Other Resources:
- Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT.
- Related post: 10 Books Every Premed Should Read (While Not Studying)
- Related episode: What MCAT Prep Books Should I Buy?
- Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)!
