Best book to read during IM residency for knowledge?

[OasisFTW]

Is it Harrison's or does anyone else have other suggestions for book reading during free time?

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[bashwell]

Is it Harrison's or does anyone else have other suggestions for book reading during free time?

IMO, Harrison's is way too much to read in its entirety.

As far as books and questions, I think either MKSAP or MedStudy are usually the ones most recommended.

Also, as much as you are able, read about your patients (or at least the more interesting ones) via UpToDate, journals (e.g. NEJM, JAMA), etc.

 

[Winged Scapula]

IMO, Harrison's is way too much to read in its entirety.

Well, the OP has 3 years to finish it (the length of an IM residency).

 

[Raryn]

Well, the OP has 3 years to finish it (the length of an IM residency).

It has entirely too much detail to be all that useful for day-to-day life.

Most of us end up doing MKSAP questions/books along with reading up on our own patients daily. Once you get closer to boards, there's a ton of other resources that come in handy as well.

 

[Winged Scapula]

It has entirely too much detail to be all that useful for day-to-day life.

Most of us end up doing MKSAP questions/books along with reading up on our own patients daily. Once you get closer to boards, there's a ton of other resources that come in handy as well.

Yeah I get that.

I was responding to the user who stated that there wasn't enough time to read a textbook.

 

[bashwell]

Yeah I get that.

I was responding to the user who stated that there wasn't enough time to read a textbook.

Not sure if you're referring to me? If not, please ignore this.

But in case you might be referring to me, I just wanted to please make clear I never said there wasn't enough time to read a textbook. I just said that in my opinion Harrison's is way too much to read in its entirety (by which I mean the thing is just massive in size and words and detail and so on -- but sorry my fault for not being more clear). I didn't say anything about there not being enough time though if someone really wanted to read a textbook like Harrison's.

In other words, I think I'm more or less saying the exact same thing @Raryn is saying.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Not sure if you're referring to me? If not, please ignore this.

But in case you might be referring to me, I just wanted to please make clear I never said there wasn't enough time to read a textbook. I just said that in my opinion Harrison's is way too much to read in its entirety (by which I mean the thing is just massive in size and words and detail and so on -- but sorry my fault for not being more clear). I didn't say anything about there not being enough time though if someone really wanted to read a textbook like Harrison's.

In other words, I think I'm more or less saying the exact same thing @Raryn is saying.

Understood.

 

[WinslowPringle]

Had a nephrology fellow I respected strongly recommend Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment for IM residents. Said it was pertinent to read and backed up its claims with evidence/studies.

 

[Crayola227]

What was missed in this thread was that @Winged Scapula was saying was a joke, and a funny one at that.

Yes Harrison's can be a useful if an overly academic resource. Yes it's too long to be useful to the busy resident looking to stay on top of things. Yes residency is long enough to read any one book no matter how long and dry.

From what I can tell residents read to survive. You'll hopefully be provided with/funds for MKSAP, use UTD/Medscape/Google/Wiki/Phone apps when you're on the spot at work, and try to get some sleep.

Most programs will provide you with enough required scholarly activity and individual articles and suggested reading on their website or via individual attendings or to your email box to keep you busy reading should you find yourself thumb twiddling.

Intern year my buddies were doing World for step 3 and to feel less stupid. After that point seniors MKSAP.

You can sign up for AMA or Medscape email newsletters to help keep you abreast of the latest breaking a lot of your colleagues or attendings haven't even seen yet. It has always made me look smarter in school and at work than I really am.

I also had a post that was a bunch of stuff to have in your white coat pocket. Besides being helpful in a pinch, it provides reading material. PocketMedicine, Sanford's Guide to Abx, Pocket Brain EKG, just a few ideas. If you were bored you could read the studies PocketMedicine and UTD cite.

That will keep your eyeballs busy enough.