Brant and Helms -- Best Rads Primer?

[RadicalRadon]

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So, I am taking a year out after MS3 for research. Would Brant and Helms be the best primer text to read in my abundance of free time? I'm really not trying to "pre-study" for residency. I'm just trying to find something to help me maintain my interest during the year and to shine on sub-i's.

 

[cowme]

I would advise against it. I tried reading radiology texts as an intern, and it was a huge waste of my time. Without practicing radiology on a daily basis, nothing sticks (think of looking at a surgical atlas to prepare for a surgery residency--without ever having taken anatomy)

If you want to do something, you could look at some teaching files online, like case in point or auntminnies case of the day.

 

[shark2000]

I would advise against it. I tried reading radiology texts as an intern, and it was a huge waste of my time. Without practicing radiology on a daily basis, nothing sticks (think of looking at a surgical atlas to prepare for a surgery residency--without ever having taken anatomy)

If you want to do something, you could look at some teaching files online, like case in point or auntminnies case of the day.

Even the case of the day is useless.
Whatever you read before starting your residency is useless. At best, you will be ahead of your class for 1-2 months. Killing yourself and reading Brant and Helms is not worth it.
Just enjoy your free time as much as you can. You have to learn radiology on day to day practice as you go. It is not like a magic to read a book and become a radiologist.

 

[Dr. USMLE]

Even the case of the day is useless.
Whatever you read before starting your residency is useless. At best, you will be ahead of your class for 1-2 months. Killing yourself and reading Brant and Helms is not worth it.
Just enjoy your free time as much as you can. You have to learn radiology on day to day practice as you go. It is not like a magic to read a book and become a radiologist.

I will definitely not be cracking open any textbooks. If I did look at cases occasionally, it wouldn't be to "get ahead" but more to stay connected to rads to remain motivated during an otherwise boring transitional year haha.

 

[cowme]

case of the day has definitely hasn't been very high yield, but it is MILES ahead of what reading gave me.

reading paragraphs about what something should look like is different than actually seeing it. At least the "trial and error" aspect of teaching files will help you remember a couple pearls

 

[GMDMD]

if you really really really insist. Read Felson's. If you want to do more, read Felson's twice. If you're EXTREMELY motivated, download the Emergency Medicine app for the ipad and go through the 60 or so CT cases which are really well done... help you familiarize yourself with CT appearance of organs / pathology etc.

That's IT. Anything more is pissing into the ocean.