Studying before starting residency

[pediadocto]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Since residency starts in three months and i got time and lockeddown... what can i study?

I was planning to make ankis of harriet land and nelson, are these two going to be useful during residency?

 

[NurWollen]

Since residency starts in three months and i got time and lockeddown... what can i study?

I was planning to make ankis of harriet land and nelson, are these two going to be useful during residency?

Nelson's is way too dense the even begin to memorize. You'd crash the Anki server trying to make flashcards. It is a good reference for when you're studying, however.

Harriet Lane is a great reference to have on hand for actual clinical scenarios.The whole point is to look it up to double check yourself on dosages, normal lab values, etc.

There's honestly nothing wrong with just relaxing and enjoying your time off as best you can. If you must study, however, you might consider paying for PREP (like Uworld for the peds boards.)
Even then, your program might buy it for you when you start, so find out and don't waste money.

You could also consider studying for Step III a little.

Sent from my SM-G930V using SDN mobile

 

[deleted480308]

Second the suggestion to study for step3 and get it over with before you forget all the adult stuff

 

[hlancaster]

I like the idea of studying for step 3 and taking it early in your Inter year.

Could also read some Pediatrics in Review. You probably have access through your school’s library. They’ve got nice review articles about common pediatric topics. They rotate the subjects every few years so try to find the latest version of whatever topic you choose to read.

 

[Stitch]

Take some time off. Breathe. Have a drink. I'd say travel, but that seems impossible right now. You'll have plenty of time to learn, but you need to come into this well rested. You've worked hard the past few years and deserve some completely free time for yourself.

 

[Oso]

I agree with the above. Please don't read Nelson's. It may be helpful if you were interested in reading more about a particular topic, though I've never really done that. Harriet lane is a great quick reference, like NurWollen said, but not great for really learning things.

I do like the idea of reading some peds in review for common topics. They start with the very basics, have a good (but not too in depth) focus on the basic pathophys, and usually have a good focus on diagnosis and management. You could, for example, read an article on asthma or vomiting or fever of unknown origin or something generally broad. Having a basic idea of asthma management or differential/work up of pediatric emesis would definitely be useful, though you'll learn everything in time and it's much easier to make things stick when you see them in real life anyway.

Studying for step 3 could be worthwhile if you think you'll be able to take it relatively early intern year. I wouldn't spend time studying for it if you're not going to take it until middle or end of intern year.

Honestly though, study/review a little if you'd like, but please also chill, exercise, sleep, (digitally) hang out with friends and family, etc. Congrats on finishing med school!

 

[pediadocto]

thanks guys, i already cleared step 3 with a 230s( am an img so i graduated already and was eligible). Was planning to travel tbh but covid-19 happened. Ill take some time off, been so long. 🙂

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I am a fan of anki decks but I am not a fan of using harriet lane for that. in fact, I didn't use harriet lane more than 5 times in residency. I just wasn't a fan. I did make a couple anki decks though that I don't have anymore. One was of BRS pediatrics. It is a board study book and a little out of date, but it was a decent enough overview of all pediatrics that it was a good anki deck. The other was I used the online Zitelli's to make an anki deck with all the relevant pictures. I also did some more throughout residency based on prep or other pictures. but reviewing the pictures in zitellis once per year isn't going to hurt.

but you have time in residency.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Everyone is different but I found it really helpful to be familiar with the ddx of common complaints such as abdominal pain, wheeze etc etc. As an intern I picked up this book

Amazon product ASIN B06XHQDBGS
I actually would have it in my back pack and would quickly glance at whatever chief complaint I had to admit and the important questions to ask.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Another thing: have your pals down cold. It will make your upper level’s life have so much less anxiety if you can stabilize a patient until the upper level or picu can come help

 

[Perrotfish]

Any or all of the following would be a good idea before starting a Pediatric Intern year
1) Read baby 411: Questions and answers about new babies, written for a parent, by Pediatrician. Takes 1-2 days to read and annotate. Pretty much half of my clinic is parroting things from this book.
2) Read toddler 411: Same as above, but ages 1-5.. Takes 1-2 days to read and annotate
3) Make anki flashcards of developmental milestones and spend 10 minutes a day with them. Every time you see a kid start trying to guess his age based on what the child is doing
4) Learn the vaccine schedule and routine screening guidelines for Pediatric clinic. Do the CDC modules for vaccinations https://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline/newmember.asp

A really motivated future Resident could also do one of the following:
1) Read/complete Polin and Yoder's Workbook in Practical Neonatology. This is a case files book for the NICU. Odds are that NICU is going to be one of your hardest rotations, and you will have had either one or no months of education in it prior to starting Intern year. Its a tough read (like it will take 20-30 hours to read through and understand it) but its well worth it, especially if you make flash cards and really drill down on the concepts. If you pair reading it with an MS4 NICU rotation you'll be a suprstar
2) Complete Cleveland Clinic's program in Pediatric Radiology: Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Radiology - PedRad Online Courses
3) Learn to accurately describe a rash: read through lookingbill and Marks Principles of Dermatology. Its written for a medical student on a 2 week dermatology rotation, takes 1-2 days to read through.

If by some bizarre chance you get through all of that, you can read Zitellis. If you really want an all subjects Peds textbook that is actually readable as a book, rather than a reference, that's the one I'd recommend. Just going through an old Pediatrics in review every week would also be awesome.

Things I would NOT recommend
1) Peds RAP. I think this is really designed as a review/update for a board certified physician, or at least a senior resident. Don't do it unless you have a long commute and you've finished all of ICU rounds.
2) Nelsons. This is a reference
3) Any Qbank. Its just not that time yet.

 

[ftcm68]

Any or all of the following would be a good idea before starting a Pediatric Intern year
1) Read baby 411: Questions and answers about new babies, written for a parent, by Pediatrician. Takes 1-2 days to read and annotate. Pretty much half of my clinic is parroting things from this book.
2) Read toddler 411: Same as above, but ages 1-5.. Takes 1-2 days to read and annotate
3) Make anki flashcards of developmental milestones and spend 10 minutes a day with them. Every time you see a kid start trying to guess his age based on what the child is doing
4) Learn the vaccine schedule and routine screening guidelines for Pediatric clinic. Do the CDC modules for vaccinations https://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline/newmember.asp

A really motivated future Resident could also do one of the following:
1) Read/complete Polin and Yoder's Workbook in Practical Neonatology. This is a case files book for the NICU. Odds are that NICU is going to be one of your hardest rotations, and you will have had either one or no months of education in it prior to starting Intern year. Its a tough read (like it will take 20-30 hours to read through and understand it) but its well worth it, especially if you make flash cards and really drill down on the concepts. If you pair reading it with an MS4 NICU rotation you'll be a suprstar
2) Complete Cleveland Clinic's program in Pediatric Radiology: Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Radiology - PedRad Online Courses
3) Learn to accurately describe a rash: read through lookingbill and Marks Principles of Dermatology. Its written for a medical student on a 2 week dermatology rotation, takes 1-2 days to read through.

If by some bizarre chance you get through all of that, you can read Zitellis. If you really want an all subjects Peds textbook that is actually readable as a book, rather than a reference, that's the one I'd recommend. Just going through an old Pediatrics in review every week would also be awesome.

Things I would NOT recommend
1) Peds RAP. I think this is really designed as a review/update for a board certified physician, or at least a senior resident. Don't do it unless you have a long commute and you've finished all of ICU rounds.
2) Nelsons. This is a reference
3) Any Qbank. Its just not that time yet.

Like this list, kinda like a dream hit list. Can anyone who prepped before residency comment on feasibility?

Or if you were a residency superstar - what did you use to prep? Not a time to be humble. Superstars need to share secrets so the rest of us can learn!

 

[Virgo32]

thanks guys, i already cleared step 3 with a 230s( am an img so i graduated already and was eligible). Was planning to travel tbh but covid-19 happened. Ill take some time off, been so long. 🙂

Can you share your credentials? What did you use for step 3? IMG here

 

[Katheudontas parateroumen]

What are some good online pediatric resources FOAMed type things? Been looking for sites that are similar in style/content of like EMCrit/PulmCrit, etc.