Month before clinical rotations

[ru4real1666]

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I know this has been posted many times, and I've searched the forums, but I just wanted to get some opinions.

At a 1.5/2.5 curriculum and we start rotations in January. Unlike the nice 2 month break between MS2 and MS3, we only get a couple of weeks. I know most people recommend just resting and taking time off, but I like to always be doing something. There are a few ways I could think of spending these two weeks.

(1) I could focus on Path using Pathoma/RR to get a general sense of diseases/pathophys.

(2) I could read something related to my first rotation.

(3) I could focus on just my weaknesses (anatomy and micro).

(4) I could try to read Step up to Medicine or something (that's looking pretty darn impossible...) to get an overview of medicine in general.

What would you guys recommend? Is there anything else in particular that you did to help you prep for clinics? I won't have taken the Step 1 (we take it after clinics) so I won't have as solid of a preclinical foundation as I would like.

 

[Top Gun]

Try reading First Aid for the Wards. It should give you a general idea of what to expect on clinicals. Other than that, use the time to relax, because you will get little time to do so during clinicals.

 

[ru4real1666]

Bump for other opinions?

 

[thegreatergood]

Depends on what rotation you're starting with.

If medicine, then I'd do all of MKSAP (easier to learn from questions than reading Step up to medicine). Onlinemeded.org has good videos under Intern content about some high-yield conditions (hyponatremia, CHF, etc.).
If family medicine, then either MKSAP or all of Pathoma is fine.
If surgery, watch/listen to Pestana or watch anatomy videos (there are a lot of good anatomy videos on youtube).
If pediatrics or ob-gyn, I'd watch either the http://www.onlinemeded.org videos or Kaplan videos.
If neuro or psych, I really wouldn't study anything. If you really have to study, then I'd just review First Aid for Step 1 for those sections.

 

[ru4real1666]

Thanks so much for the info thegreatergood! It definitely helps and the site you recommended looks pretty good, too!

 

[jodrederoff]

Thanks so much for the info thegreatergood! It definitely helps and the site you recommended looks pretty good

 

[evilbooyaa]

Depends on what rotation you're starting with.

If medicine, then I'd do all of MKSAP (easier to learn from questions than reading Step up to medicine). Onlinemeded.org has good videos under Intern content about some high-yield conditions (hyponatremia, CHF, etc.).
If family medicine, then either MKSAP or all of Pathoma is fine.
If surgery, watch/listen to Pestana or watch anatomy videos (there are a lot of good anatomy videos on youtube).
If pediatrics or ob-gyn, I'd watch either the http://www.onlinemeded.org videos or Kaplan videos.
If neuro or psych, I really wouldn't study anything. If you really have to study, then I'd just review First Aid for Step 1 for those sections.

Wait, you're recommending that he read the entire book PRIOR to the rotation starting? ru4real?

 

[VisionaryTics]

Wait, you're recommending that he read the entire book PRIOR to the rotation starting? ru4real?

Yeah, MKSAP is a pretty dense book.

OP, do nothing. Relax. Go on a vacation. Paint a painting. Write a sonnet.

 

[HooliganSnail]

You should not read anything prior to starting third year. I think you will quickly find that nothing in Pathoma will help you once you start the gauntlet.

Welcome to the real medical school. Mwah hahaha!

 

[KnuxNole]

Yeah, MKSAP is a pretty dense book.

OP, do nothing. Relax. Go on a vacation. Paint a painting. Write a sonnet.

This. For the love of Arceus don't read Pathoma after taking Step 1! You'll get back to speed once you start rotations.

 

[g8orlife]

This. For the love of Arceus don't read Pathoma after taking Step 1! You'll get back to speed once you start rotations.

OP said that his/her curriculum has clinicals before Step 1.

 

[KnuxNole]

OP said that his/her curriculum has clinicals before Step 1.

ooooooooooooooooh

that's what happens when you don't read

 

[ru4real1666]

Yeah haha. Actually haven't taken the step 1 yet. Thanks everyone for your help! I figured the best thing to do would be nothing, but I feel a little restless when I'm not doing anything. I guess I can put my energy towards another hobby or something!