Any Good books (like a "Medschool for Dummies") for up and coming first years?

[dogangel]

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Hi everyone
I am starting medschool this august 😳 and I was wondering if there were any good books to help with the transition into meschool, something like "Medschool for Dummies"? 😕

-GWU class of 2010

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi everyone
I am starting medschool this august 😳 and I was wondering if there were any good books to help with the transition into meschool, something like "Medschool for Dummies"? 😕

-GWU class of 2010

You will soon have more stuff to read than you ever wanted. Relax over the summer and don't worry about med school until it starts.

 

[sscooterguy]

You will soon have more stuff to read than you ever wanted. Relax over the summer and don't worry about med school until it starts.

Amen to that. However, being a med student now, you will probably not listen. At least don't waste your time looking for a book, just waste your time reading through old threads, there's tons about first and second year. Congrats, good luck, you're in for a ride.

sscooterguy

 

[Blade28]

Relax. Just have fun the summer before med school.

 

[mojojojo]

The summer before I started med school, I read books by people detailing their med school experience. It helped me get prepared for what was to come! A few good ones were:

"A Not Entirely Benign Procedure: Four Years As A Medical Student" by Perri Klass

"Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science" by Atul Gawande

"Singular Intimacies : Becoming a Doctor at Bellevue" by Danielle Ofri

"What I Learned in Medical School : Personal Stories of Young Doctors" by Kevin Takakuwa
(This one had a story in it by a guy who dropped out of med school because it was just too much for him and it scared the crap out of me! But overall the stories were really good.)

"What Patients Taught Me : A Medical Student's Journey" by Audrey Young


Anyway, these were all really good reads over the summer. Enjoy them because, as I'm realizing now, it will probably be next summer before you get the chance to pick up a book to read for enjoyment!!

 

[Wee Free Woman]

At the moment, I am reading novels I have always wanted to read but never had the time for them.

In this way, I'm still reading because I don't want to get used to NOT reading (no need to get slapped in my face the first day of school), but I'm not burning myself out either.

I know I wont get a chance to read novels I want to read later on (although I will try fitting in the final Harry Potter once it is published 😛 )

 

[PoorMD]

the summer before med school I read "Intern Blues" and I must say it was one of the better reads of my life.. I highly recommend it.

 

[Blade28]

I recommend House of God.

 

[Samoa]

You should read House of God for cultural literacy, if nothing else. People allude to it all the time, and you want to be in on the joke.

 

[Cinnameg]

If you MUST read something about medical school -- which I feel compelled to do -- I recommend "Iserson's Getting Into A Residency." I'm enjoying it, and I think it's helping me sort of plan what I want to do with the very little time I'm going to have during medical school to pursue extra clerkships, research, or extracurriculars, in order to be in a good place by the end.

I also recommend, for fun, books by James Morrow, Sean Stewart, Terry Pratchett, and Michael Morehouse. Also, the book "Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" could be your reading for the entire summer. "The Time Traveler's Wife" was great too.

If you like pop-medicine, I'm reading this book called "Bitten" by Pamela Nagami, MD, about very interesting insects, their poisons, and the medical aspects of dealing with their bites. Learning a lot. It's written very well (unlike "A History of Psyhicatry" which is dull, dull, dull).

If you've never read any Oliver Sacks, MD, or VS Ramachadran, MD, do so now. Great pop neurology, loved it when I was in high school and I still have the books to loan to friends, which I do a lot.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

If you MUST read something about medical school -- which I feel compelled to do -- I recommend "Iserson's Getting Into A Residency." I'm enjoying it, and I think it's helping me sort of plan what I want to do with the very little time I'm going to have during medical school to pursue extra clerkships, research, or extracurriculars, in order to be in a good place by the end...

Gotta second this, I remember that feeling of wanting to hit the ground running. Ideally, all of us would be perfectly relaxed and spend the summer on the beach with a Corona in one hand a trash novel in the other. But most of us did not get into med school by being perfectly relaxed...

Iserson's is good because it gives you perspective on the process. What is the match and how does it work? How important are my first year grades? What are the "Boards" and how much do they matter? What is it with all of these specialties? If I'm interested in Ortho/Neurosurg/ENT etc how do I need to plan? I think it will give you a good overview of what's in front of you for the next 4 years.

Best of luck.

 

[MarzMD]

I liked "House of God" and "Hot lights, cold steel". As far as Isersons getting into residency, I didnt think it had any information that I havent seen on the forums.

 

[Do it do it]

You should read House of God for cultural literacy, if nothing else. People allude to it all the time, and you want to be in on the joke.

This is probably the best reason to read House of God that I've ever heard.

 

[vtucci]

War Hospital by Sherri Fink is another excellent book showing the best and worst about physicians in war-torn former Yugoslavia.

Intern blues was a good read if somewhat dated.

House of God-- second that-- cultural literacy must.

Complications- decent

 

[dogangel]

I'm definetly going to check one or two of the books recommended. I will however make sure to relax 😎 this summer and enjoy some free time while I have it. I'm not going to be too overzealous and start reading textbooks. I was just looking for something that would just give me a little birds eyeview of things. I will certainly use SDN as it has been a valuable resource during my pre-med years. Thanks again. 😉

 

[SpeedRacer]

hey about that iserson residency book - i saw that the most recent edition (6th i think?) came out in 2003, and that they seem to get published every like 3 years. so is a new version due soon? should i wait?

 

[Cinnameg]

hey about that iserson residency book - i saw that the most recent edition (6th i think?) came out in 2003, and that they seem to get published every like 3 years. so is a new version due soon? should i wait?

I got the one from 2003 used and it's serving me nicely. I'm sure another one will come out before my 3rd year of medical school, but I think there's a lot of good information in the 2003 one that's worth it to me to read now.

And yes, all the info IS probably on SDN somewhere, but it's disorganized and kind of unreliable (more reliable than not, but still . . ).

 

[OSUdoc08]

Hi everyone
I am starting medschool this august 😳 and I was wondering if there were any good books to help with the transition into meschool, something like "Medschool for Dummies"? 😕

-GWU class of 2010

This is the only book you will need between now and the first week of medical school. Read it on a beach somewhere while drinking a margarita or pina colada:

 

[Diceman M.D.]

"Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond. It doesn't have much to do with medicine on the surface, but it will help give you an increased understanding of the fundamental, historical and sociopolitical roots of inequality in human society that still reverberate today and affect the lives of our underserved patient populations at home and especially around the world.

 

[Pythagoras]

Seriously. Don't even fcking read anything about med school. I know you are gung ho about all this crap but the reality is that after about 1 month you will be wishing you had time to do "x" (where "x" = anything but medical stuff).

Read some Sci-Fi or something. or magazines. Draw/paint, whatever you do. Make it non-medical. You can't get away from this crap once it starts. Make the best of the time you have.

 

[Pythagoras]

Oh. And I don't get reading a book about what you are about to get into. How about you just wait and see what it is for yourself, rather than taking someone elses viewpoint of what it is. Trust me. After a very short while, you will know what everyone else's viewpoint is and you won't need to read a book by some disillusioned 4th year/resident/physician bitching about what a horrible time they had in their Surgery rotation.

Personally, I spent my 8 months before Med School playing Everquest II and CounterStrike; while working a part time job at a bar. Drinking a lot no doubt.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Seriously. Don't even fcking read anything about med school. I know you are gung ho about all this crap but the reality is that after about 1 month you will be wishing you had time to do "x" (where "x" = anything but medical stuff).

Read some Sci-Fi or something. or magazines. Draw/paint, whatever you do. Make it non-medical. You can't get away from this crap once it starts. Make the best of the time you have.

I found a photo that may be familiar to you.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Oh. And I don't get reading a book about what you are about to get into. How about you just wait and see what it is for yourself, rather than taking someone elses viewpoint of what it is. Trust me. After a very short while, you will know what everyone else's viewpoint is and you won't need to read a book by some disillusioned 4th year/resident/physician bitching about what a horrible time they had in their Surgery rotation.

Personally, I spent my 8 months before Med School playing Everquest II and CounterStrike; while working a part time job at a bar. Drinking a lot no doubt.

You probably wouldn't get that type of book anyway.

Enjoy your video games.

 

[Pythagoras]

You probably wouldn't get that type of book anyway.

Enjoy your video games.

LOL. you have no idea.

 

[Pythagoras]

I wouldn't get that type of book huh. Well. I guess experiencing it for yourself is nothing compared to someone's jaded view of medicine. I'll be damned. I must review my entire philosophy on medicine based on someone elses viewpoint of their ****ty internship.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I wouldn't get that type of book huh. Well. I guess experiencing it for yourself is nothing compared to someone's jaded view of medicine. I'll be damned. I must review my entire philosophy on medicine based on someone elses viewpoint of their ****ty internship.

The purpose of the book is to enjoy the humor and get some of the sarcastic terminology that we use in the hospital.

You obviously wouldn't fit in, anyway.

 

[Pythagoras]

All my post was saying is that you are a fool to start reading about medical BS before you have even begun. Let it wait. Unless you can make a convincing argument for it to not wait, why don't you save your fingers for typing in the address of your favorite porn site.

 

[OSUdoc08]

All my post was saying is that you are a fool to start reading about medical BS before you have even begun. Let it wait. Unless you can make a convincing argument for it to not wait, why don't you save your fingers for typing in the address of your favorite porn site.

Save the insults. I'm not the self-admitted sci-fi fan.

You obviously haven't read the book, since you have no respect for it.

You probably should start cutting your underwear before you go to school. You know, so it rips more easily.

 

[Cinnameg]

Save the insults. I'm not the self-admitted sci-fi fan.

You obviously haven't read the book, since you have no respect for it.

You probably should start cutting your underwear before you go to school. You know, so it rips more easily.

Dudes! Let's not go smashing sci-fi fans willy nilly! I love the stuff, and I haven't said anything to deserve getting my reading preferences attacked. Read some James Morrow, Sean Stewart, Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin, Phillip K. Dick, Tom Holt, and Terry Pratchett before judging all speculative fiction. Not to mention that classics like Dracula, The Invisible Man, and More Than Human are quite good (and usually put in the "literature" section, god knows why, they're clearly sci fi). Also, most of Gregory Maguire's books and Jasper Fford's books are also speculative ficton. There's a ton of crap in every genre, but it doesn't mean the whole genre is bad.

 

[Makaka]

STIFF: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers.

By Mary Roach

 

[Cinnameg]

STIFF: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers.

By Mary Roach

I've seen that one . . . is it morbid, gross, disturbing? Is that the attraction? What did you enjoy (I really am curious, I'm being entirely serious)?

 

[Makaka]

I've seen that one . . . is it morbid, gross, disturbing? Is that the attraction? What did you enjoy (I really am curious, I'm being entirely serious)?

It was funny and sarcastic, a bit cynical but most importantly respectful to the donors. It gives you an idea of how people (like first year anatomy students) deal with death. How they will dissociate themselves from the fact that cadavers were once living people. She puts it in a perspective that working with human cadavers is a means to an end...a medical education, research, or in some cases plain fun (illegal in most states).

All in all it’s just a fun book filled with random facts about cadavers.
But it is kinda gross when she talks about forensic research and the different stages of decomposition. She goes so far as to describe exactly what a rotting cadaver smells like.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Dudes! Let's not go smashing sci-fi fans willy nilly! I love the stuff, and I haven't said anything to deserve getting my reading preferences attacked. Read some James Morrow, Sean Stewart, Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin, Phillip K. Dick, Tom Holt, and Terry Pratchett before judging all speculative fiction. Not to mention that classics like Dracula, The Invisible Man, and More Than Human are quite good (and usually put in the "literature" section, god knows why, they're clearly sci fi). Also, most of Gregory Maguire's books and Jasper Fford's books are also speculative ficton. There's a ton of crap in every genre, but it doesn't mean the whole genre is bad.

I have no problem with sci-fi fans. I DO have a problem with people disrespecting House of God, ESPECIALLY if they don't even know anything about the book.

If you haven't read the book, then don't give advice on when the best time to read it is.

 

[humuhumu]

For a mind-expanding read, I'd second Guns, Germs, and Steel; for something light and fun, I'd second Stiff . To really put life into perspective, check out The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Last night I read The Med School Survival Guide from cover to cover. Good stuff.

 

[SpeedRacer]

You probably should start cutting your underwear before you go to school. You know, so it rips more easily.

 

[Cinnameg]

I have no problem with sci-fi fans. I DO have a problem with people disrespecting House of God, ESPECIALLY if they don't even know anything about the book.

If you haven't read the book, then don't give advice on when the best time to read it is.

Hey, I didn't disrespect House of God. Actually thanks to this thread I might pick it up . . . believe it or not, I'd never heard of it. Don't hang out with enough med students yet, I guess.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Hey, I didn't disrespect House of God. Actually thanks to this thread I might pick it up . . . believe it or not, I'd never heard of it. Don't hang out with enough med students yet, I guess.

Yeah, I know you didn't.

I was referring to our resident gamer and sci-fi fanatic, Pythagoras.

 

[dogangel]

Glad to see so much commotioon over good books to read. I definetly will be picking up House of God, thanks to everyone's advice. I understand what Pythagoras is saying about exposure to medschool stuff before medschool. That's why I agree with not overdoing it, but I feel like I should read a book that can just give me some insiders info on what to expect. Similar to how SDN and mdpapplicants.com has been helpful, if I didn't read some of the information on these websites I would have been an ill prepared while applying to medschool. I was hoping to find the samething in a book to prepare for medschool. I'll make sure to sip on my pina colada on the beach while reading it. 😀

 

[MarzMD]

Well, House of God is about the IM intern year I believe. So it really wont prepare you for medical school, but is still a really good book to read.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Well, House of God is about the IM intern year I believe. So it really wont prepare you for medical school, but is still a really good book to read.

No, not IM.

It was a traditional internship year. The main character was entering a psychiatry residency. His first year of psychiatry residency (PGY-2) can be read in the sequel, Mount Misery.

 

[CostalShowers]

hey about that iserson residency book - i saw that the most recent edition (6th i think?) came out in 2003, and that they seem to get published every like 3 years. so is a new version due soon? should i wait?

A new edition (the 7th) of Iserson's is coming out this summer. End of June/mid-July.

 

[Rogue Synapse]

A new edition of Iserson's this summer.

I was looking online about new editions of Iserson's, and I couldn't find anything about a new edition. How did you hear about it? (just curious)

 

[Army_Doc]

A number of people suggested I look over "Nettlers Anatomy" before I start this August (not that i'd like to study this summer). I take it that's a bad idea? Or is there some truth to their recommendations?

-newbie

 

[dinesh]

Pharm made reciulously simple
MicroB " " " " " " " " "

 

[giorgeo]

"How to Excel in Medical School" - Saks

Nice quick overview about how to study for different classes. Use the tips that help with your personal style. Doesn't teach you anything that you might not already know but gives you an understanding on how different subjects are taught in medical school.

Amazon

Take a look, might help you tackle subjects that you don't have a strong foundation in.

 

[OSUdoc08]

A number of people suggested I look over "Nettlers Anatomy" before I start this August (not that i'd like to study this summer). I take it that's a bad idea? Or is there some truth to their recommendations?

-newbie

Stupidest idea ever. That is a complete waste of time.

Read House of God, by Shem instead.

 

[HTD]

I was wondering if there were any good books to help with the transition into meschool, something like "Medschool for Dummies"? 😕
-GWU class of 2010

Stop the insanity 😱 NO DOCTOR BOOKS OR DOCTOR FICTION.

This is your last chance for a good while to cram some business or financial sense into your mind. Do it now before its too late. Start very simple. Get something like The Millionaire Next Door or The Richest Man in Babylon At least get the audio from your library and listen to it while you drive to work or wherever.These are simple books that are not painful to read or listen to. You are about to enter a long cycle of credit and debt, get ready for battle!

Good luck to you in School.

 

[dogangel]

Stop the insanity 😱 NO DOCTOR BOOKS OR DOCTOR FICTION.

This is your last chance for a good while to cram some business or financial sense into your mind. Do it now before its too late. Start very simple. Get something like The Millionaire Next Door or The Richest Man in Babylon At least get the audio from your library and listen to it while you drive to work or wherever.These are simple books that are not painful to read or listen to. You are about to enter a long cycle of credit and debt, get ready for battle!

Good luck to you in School.

😕 Thanks for the advice (I think). Not exactly sure how reading books about finances is going to help my transition into medschool and help me do well in first year courses, although I do see the connection... slightly.

 

[8744]

You should read House of God for cultural literacy, if nothing else. People allude to it all the time, and you want to be in on the joke.

Only if they are geeks. The only people who actually reference "House of God" are administrators, counselors, and other people who aren't actually physicians.

I won't tell you if I've read it (because I'm not a geek) but it is nothing at all like the real world of medicine. The book was written in 1978 fer' keerist's sake, back in the time when nurses still dressed like porn stars.

My blog will provide you with a more realistic look at medical school and residency. It just ain't that dramatic.

 

[velo]

My blog will provide you with a more realistic look at medical school and residency. It just ain't that dramatic.

You're the fat man aren't you?




Remember this about House of God....that guy ended up doing psychiatry. The proverbial grain of salt....