Matched in FM! Review for Intern Year???

[geese]

So I found out that I matched at my top choice yesterday and I'm very thrilled about that. One thing that has been on my mind since match day was that if I should review some material before starting in July? Reason I'm asking is because last year I went unmatched and since then I've been out of clinical medicine. I've been doing volunteer work at local hospitals and different charities to boost my application but I still feel like I've been in a vegetative state for about 1.5 years when it comes to medical knowledge.

Any advice on review material? or any resources at all that I should go through? Also what should I focus on to get me ready for intern year? I got about 3 months before orientation starts and I'm sort of motivated to refresh my knowledge before I begin.

Thanks!

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[cabinbuilder]

I wouldn't worry about it. The learning curve is very steep the first month of residency. Enjoy your time off because it will be minimal for the next 3 years. Take a vacation and relax.

 

[christiandocj]

I agree with cabinbuilder. There's definitely preparation to do, but not academically. That's what your first 3.5 years was for. I would take the time to build up what I like to call life-lines. These are the things that energize you, renew you, and encourage you. And usually these are things we tend to neglect as we go through the training process.

Residency is going to be tough so it's good to have these things in place to keep you going. This includes your relationship with God if that's important to you and definitely your relationships with your significant other/family/friends. Don't forget simple things that you enjoy too like hobbies, sports, etc. I actually just wrote a blog post on this so if you are interested, you can read it here: http://www.unfailingspring.com/2013/03/18/medical-school-advice-how-to-prepare-for-residency/

Best wishes and congrats!

Jack

 

[septoplasty]

I agree with cabinbuilder. There's definitely preparation to do, but not academically. That's what your first 3.5 years was for. I would take the time to build up what I like to call life-lines. These are the things that energize you, renew you, and encourage you. And usually these are things we tend to neglect as we go through the training process.

Residency is going to be tough so it's good to have these things in place to keep you going. This includes your relationship with God if that's important to you and definitely your relationships with your significant other/family/friends. Don't forget simple things that you enjoy too like hobbies, sports, etc. I actually just wrote a blog post on this so if you are interested, you can read it here: http://www.unfailingspring.com/2013/03/18/medical-school-advice-how-to-prepare-for-residency/

Best wishes and congrats!

Jack

Good stuff!

But does this factor in how the average MS4 has practically useless electives that leave him/her feeling clueless in terms of feeling competent?

That oncology elective sure didn't teach me nothing.

 

[christiandocj]

Good stuff!

But does this factor in how the average MS4 has practically useless electives that leave him/her feeling clueless in terms of feeling competent?

That oncology elective sure didn't teach me nothing.

Yeah fourth year our brains do rot a little. The fourth year sub-I's were more prepared than I was when I started internship. But that's the whole point of residency, to train us up in those skills, not to have them to begin with.

People will be prepared to different degrees, and a couple of rotations or trying to cram info at the end probably won't make much of a difference if we didn't study well during med school.

I don't mean that you should totally slack off. Still take advantage of the time remaining, i.e. do some rotations that you won't do in your field, maybe radiology or dermatology if you are goign into primary care. I just wouldn't stress out too much that you aren't prepared enough for residency.

 

[geese]

I appreciate all the advice. I've had the chance to chat with a few of my senior colleagues who are in the process of completing their intern year and they all agreed that it's better to relax and enjoy life for the next few months before you begin. Probably won't be getting this much time off again for another 3 years so might as well treasure it now.

I totally agree with having that spiritual connection with god. I'm sure there will be moments during the process where you feel all alone but if you have that faith in god then it'll give you the support/reassurance that you can accomplish anything if you work hard, be true to yourself and to others around you.

 

[andwhat]

be prepared, hopefully your program provides an iPad, if not then get one. Study wise don't worry about anything at the moment.

 

[drlove143]

So no need to buy any necesary textbooks for family med residency prior to starting now on july 1st????

Thanks guys for all the helpful responses. G'luck to you all

 

[deleted87716]

If you were entering residency straight out of med school, I'd concur with Cabinbuilder. However, if you've been out of medicine for a year and a half, you're going to be rusty. You might consider reading one of those quick-reference "On Call" books so you're at least familiar with typical floor management problems. That alone will save you a lot of aggravation as an intern.

Congratulations, by the way.

 

[jfd986]

If you were entering residency straight out of med school, I'd concur with Cabinbuilder. However, if you've been out of medicine for a year and a half, you're going to be rusty. You might consider reading one of those quick-reference "On Call" books so you're at least familiar with typical floor management problems. That alone will save you a lot of aggravation as an intern.

Congratulations, by the way.

I see two books online. One is called "Internal Medicine: On call" and another is called "On Call: Principles and Protocols". Which one should I pick up?

After the step 3 in April I'm going to Europe in May, and then there'll be this period of time between end of May and June 17th-ish (orientation) where I will have some time to read something. I just want to make sure I pick something high-yield and pertinent to read.

 

[deleted87716]

I used the Lange book ("Internal Medicine On Call") as an intern.

http://www.amazon.com/Internal-Medicine-Call-LANGE/dp/0071439021

 

[apricotattack]

I really like Principles and Protocols. It's concise and realistic

 

[faith100]

Reviving this thread...any other advice for us hopefully starting FM intern year in July 2016?? The FM programs that I'm applying to are very IM Inpatient heavy...on audition rotations current residents did stress going on vacation, relaxing before residency starts, BUT they also recommended reading a few select chapters of Harrison's, which I would have never thought of and found to be helpful advice.

I'm going to relax and spend time with family, so any other suggestions on sources I should read or obtain for residency - I've got 6 months!!

 

[aerodoc]

As a new FM intern this year, in my opinion you should just relax, spend time with family, travel, do fun rotations. I doubt reading a couple chapters of Harrisons is going to help you that much, you'll forget it as soon as you read it and when you first start out, nobody knows anything but you'll pick it up fast just like everyone else. On the other hand, you'll rarely get months off without any obligations like you have at the end of 4th year so just enjoy them.

 

[JustPlainBill]

Depends on the residency, really --- if you go to a sucky one -- kinda like a certain one in the Southwest that I'm intimately familiar with as everyone on this forum knows by now --- you're expected to have the knowledge as if you've already completed your residency the first day of the intern year -- I mean, truly, what residency puts an intern 1 month out of med school on probation for "lack of clinical judgement" and reports them to the state medical board?

in a good residency, you'll get coaching from your seniors and help -- it should be an environment where you can ask questions without getting your head ripped off (or getting physically slapped) for forgetting something ---

I think I would stockpile sleep, good nutrition, get to the top of your game in terms of physical fitness and then I would grab a pocket resource that you like -- one covering inpatient, the other covering outpatient and go through those; I'd also get one covering peds and ob/gyn for sure --- just the basic though, not the specialist level details -- get a good basic ortho book for FM clinicians

I would also make sure I knew how to do a PE thoroughly and well -- know the normal and you can spot/describe the abnormals to your seniors who should be able to help you.

don't get wrapped around the axle about this --- there are some really stupid people practicing medicine successfully who so far haven't managed to kill anyone --

the big lesson --- if you don't KNOW, ask -- better to risk looking stupid than to endanger a patient ---

 

[faith100]

Thanks for your advice! What would you recommend for a pocket sized pediatrics resource? I have good resources for the other areas you mentioned.

Also, what would you suggest for the ortho book?

Thanks!

 

[JustPlainBill]

Thanks for your advice! What would you recommend for a pocket sized pediatrics resource? I have good resources for the other areas you mentioned.

Also, what would you suggest for the ortho book?

Thanks!

I'd look at this one:

Amazon product

but there's also one on hospital medicine from the same company that was really good ---

Amazon product

for ortho:

Amazon product

and I'll get you the other when I get home.


for procedures

Amazon product

and for Derm

Amazon product

hope it helps -- and don't go bats on these -- use your money wisely and check out the references --- too often, we can get a bunch of books but then don't know which one to read first in our "copious" spare time...

 

[serendipity16]

Great! Thanks for the recommendations

 

[SuckySurgeon7]

I'd look at this one:

Amazon product

but there's also one on hospital medicine from the same company that was really good ---

Amazon product

for ortho:

Amazon product

and I'll get you the other when I get home.


for procedures

Amazon product

and for Derm

Amazon product

hope it helps -- and don't go bats on these -- use your money wisely and check out the references --- too often, we can get a bunch of books but then don't know which one to read first in our "copious" spare time...

JPB, none of these links worked on my system. Could you type out the titles?

 

[adamanteus]

He suggested:

Tarascons Pocketbooks for Primary Care and also for Hospital Medicine.

Ortho: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care

Procedures For Primary Care by Pfenninger

Clinical Dermatology by Habif