Enjoy your rotations.

Don't worry about not reading enough - no one ever does. You learn the most from taking care of your patients.

They have a lot of the books you wil need. Borrow the big and heavy textbooks from the library and leave them at home for reference. Only buy books that you really like. Bring the pocket-sized books with you during your daily routine.

Form a book club. A lot of us did this - it was really fun! Medicine is a lot about teamwork; start practicing now!

If you really like to buy books, always check the date of the publications. Be wary of buying out-of-date books that may be cheaper. Some of the common handbooks are available from the American Medical Association at much lower prices than offered at the Stanford Bookstore.

You should always actively participate in the care of your patients. Do Medline searches to obtain more comprehensive and up-to-date information on particular subjects. One reason why the Lange book series is so useful is that each book integrates clinical aspects with accurate and current references.

Learn about the various literature-searching programs available at your library, in addition to the standard Medline approach. There are Knowledge Server, Grateful med, MacMelvyle and WebMedline, any of which may offer an alternative and more user-friendly interface. There are also CD-ROM and diagnostic databases available, including SAM CD (Consult) and Dxplain.

Related Pages:
Making a Splash on the Medicine Wards (June, 1996)

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