What should a medical student before starting an anesthesia service?

[deleted263296]

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Any recommendations for particular sources/texts?

 

[coldweatherblue]

I read Essentials of Anesthesiology on my MS3 anesthesia elective and thought it was very appropriate for a one-week rotation. Good, concise review of the important concepts for students to take from a short rotation. If you have more time, may want to invest in a bigger source. Essentials can be read in about two days though, it's pretty easy and goes over the basics.

 

[etherdreams]

I think baby miller focusing on the initial drug chapters as well as anesthesia secrets - read up until they get into the disease states and read those before the appropriate cases you are doing.

 

[flyingdutchman]

The best way that I learned on anesthesia rotations was to pick a particular topic, such as "neuromuscular blockage", "basic airway management", "volaile agents", etc. and read about it in baby miller or whatever source you have. Then when there is some down time during the case the next day, you go through things with the resident. This takes probably 15 minutes, and can really serve you well in reenforcing the important concepts. Also, be glad actually when you get pimped, because sometimes those are the ideas that you will not forgot when you get them wrong!! Good luck.

 

[fakin' the funk]

Use verbs.

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

Use verbs.

Haha...I was thinking the same thing when I read the initial post. Yes, verbs will go quite far on a rotation.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

The best way that I learned on anesthesia rotations was to pick a particular topic, such as "neuromuscular blockage", "basic airway management", "volaile agents", etc. and read about it in baby miller or whatever source you have. Then when there is some down time during the case the next day, you go through things with the resident. This takes probably 15 minutes, and can really serve you well in reenforcing the important concepts. Also, be glad actually when you get pimped, because sometimes those are the ideas that you will not forgot when you get them wrong!! Good luck.

👍

I agree with this. I enjoyed getting pimped (as long as it was reasonable). It meant I could pick up EXTRA concepts that may not be spelled out in a textbook (or what you may not have picked up while reading) that a seasoned anesthesiologist or resident may have.

Definitely pick a topic and read about it. Then, ask questions related to what you read. It will also help cement your knowledge-base. Don't go into too many random/detailed specifics. Know the basics, the concepts.

 

[Neon Goat]

Which is the baby Miller to get? There are a few different versions of "Basics of Anesthesia" on Amazon.

Here's a link to them [amazon.com]

Maybe it doesn't matter, I'm just curious if someone feels there's one edition/version that's superior. Thanks.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Any edition will do. Look for 1 or 2 editions older, it's cheaper and usually no real changes are made. OR, there may be a book in the medical/anesthesia library you can check out.

Which is the baby Miller to get? There are a few different versions of "Basics of Anesthesia" on Amazon.

Here's a link to them [amazon.com]

Maybe it doesn't matter, I'm just curious if someone feels there's one edition/version that's superior. Thanks.

 

[geogil]

Use verbs.

dang, you beat me.

Try to get through the autonomic drugs, volatiles, IV anesthetics/ induction agents, and local anesthetics in baby miller. If the case you're doing the next day (if you know) has something unusual read about that too, i.e. dangers of a certain type of positioning, malignant hyperthermia, physiologic concerns related to the type of case, etc..

Good luck.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Any edition will do. Look for 1 or 2 editions older, it's cheaper and usually no real changes are made. OR, there may be a book in the medical/anesthesia library you can check out.

The prior editions of Baby Miller, unlike most medical textbooks, are hugely (completely?) different from the current edition.

There seems to be a new edition coming out soon, I don't know if that has significant changes or not. The current Baby Miller is in no way out of date, however.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

The prior editions of Baby Miller, unlike most medical textbooks, are hugely (completely?) different from the current edition.
.

Gotcha. Didn't know that. I'd been riding the Baby Miller that attendings or residents would give to us students to use while on the rotation. My program will be providing us with the latest Millers, so I didn't buy it.

I thought this book was actually pretty good for basics, while on rotations, too:

Anesthesia Student Survival Guide: A Case-Based Approach

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0R07RY9MWHVMS6QPQQ1K

However, if you have access to Baby Miller, certainly one to stick with.