Originally posted by venturep
I have a friend who is about to start medical school and was wondering what are some good gift ideas for a new med student? The best that I have come up with so far is a an HP iPaq. I'd appreciate it if you all could help me brainstorm some more useful gift ideas. Thanks!!!
I would have
loved a medical dictionary in my first year of medical school. Words that seem completely normal to us now - anastomosis - a first year sees that and thinks 'what the F*** is that?'. What's the difference between an embolus and a thrombus? etc.
A stethoscope would be a nice present but.... meh.
Parents of a friend of mine gave him "Harrisons principles of internal medicine" when he was in second year. I was envious (can you tell I'm a nerd?).
Another gift idea would be a skeleton set - I don't know if these are available in the US - ie. real bones of a person. I would have liked that present too.
Yet another book idea would be the book that helps you read ECGs* - not the Dubin one, the other one. I doubt it would be a required text like netter, so none of his buddies would have it... and I bet he'd feel cool when he actually understands those wobbles of lines when the rest of his class doesn't have a clue.
Do you have any idea what speciality he wants to be in? Even though we don't have a clue what medicine is about. 90% of entering med students KNOW they're going to be a heart/neuro surgeon etc. Another good idea might be.. a life size model of a heart.. brain... or his own addorned scalpel set (with a box and everything.. looks like the box for an expensive fountain pen).
Another idea might be a medical poster of some kind....
