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Miscellaneous
Journals to Read for Medical School Success
Aug 31st
“You should read more.” This phrase is like a broken record for most senior medical students. For those who, like me, are bewildered about what you should be reading, here’s a short guide to journals that all medical students should be familiar with.
1) New England Journal of Medicine: This is by far the most important journal to read for all medical students, regardless of specialty interest. This journal is where the most innovative new finding are published, and you will often hear your residents and attendings discussing articles from NEJM. An enterprising med student who can discuss a recent article in NEJM could earn some respect with his or her seniors. (But don’t show up the residents, there is no easier way to become hated. It doesn’t matter how much you impress your attending if you do it by alienating your residents, since your residents can make your life very difficult.) NEJM is a great general journal for learning about current issues affecting all physicians.
2) Journal of the American Medical Association: JAMA is also a great general journal for learning about what’s happening in medical practice.
3) Specialty journals: If you already know what specialty you want to go into, start reading early. Watch or ask the residents what they are reading.
4) Any journal article that directly relates to patients you are seeing on the wards: While textbooks are usually easier to read, a journal article usually has more current information about issues that affect patients you are taking care of.
5) Any other journal: Reading more is always better than reading less.
For all of us wondering where to squeeze more time out of our already crunched schedules, here are a few tips:
- Don’t waste time in transit: Keep a journal or articles to read on the train/plane/bus/subway/people mover.
- Use your workout time: Read a journal while you are jogging on the treadmill or walking on the elliptical at the gym.
- Read some journal headlines as check your e-mail everyday. Most journals have a Website where you can sign up for e-mail alerts when a new issue publishes, and you can scan the titles and read abstracts of articles that interest you.
It might seem like a huge undertaking at first, but spending a few minutes a day reading current journal articles will make you a smart and savvy medical student!
New Errata for First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK
Aug 24th
For those still studying for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exam, the First Aid Team has posted errata for the 7th edition of our First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK book. You can find it on our Errata page. Please continue sending in any mistakes that you see while reading our various books via this form. You can win an Amazon.com gift certificate for a valid submission!
Conquer those Multimedia Questions on Step 1 and Step 2 CK!
Jul 15th
Need help with the multimedia questions on the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams? The First Aid Team has you covered! Two of the topics that are easily tested in the multimedia format are heart sounds and EKG tracings. Both of those areas can be intimidating, but with the help of the Blaufuss Medical Multimedia Laboratories you can review and test your knowledge and become familiar with the way in which material can be presented, helping to keep you calm and collected on exam day. Check out their Cardiac Examination/Heart Sounds and Electrocardiogram/Arrythmia tutorials and Quizzes HERE.
Find an AMSA Conference near you! Win an iPhone 4!
Jul 14th
Announcing the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Conferences! Located in a city near you, the AMSA Conferences will feature programming exclusive to AMSA that sets you apart from your peers and ensures you will not only survive but also thrive in your Medical School training. Also included are NEW Premed Sessions focused on “Getting in to Medical School” and Plenary Speakers to motivate and inspire physicians-in-training in any stage of their journey to becoming a physician. Sign up now to get the best pricing—Go to www.amsa.org/events today! The first conference will be in Las Vegas, NV—REGISTER BY September 10th and be entered to win an iPhone 4!
Free First Aid for the Wards Webinar with Dr. Tao Le
Jun 5th
Dr. Tao Le, series editor for First Aid, will host a high-yield talk on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 9 pm EST. The free Webinar will cover need to know information on how to become an outstanding medical student on the wards and get outstanding cherkship evaluations. Learn how to effectively work with a medical team, study and learn on the run, avoid the mistakes other students make and get a gratifying clerkship experience that will enhance your career choice. There will be an interactive Q & A session at the end of the webinar.
Space is limited!
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/738712288.
Did you get a low score on Step 1?
May 29th
You may be discouraged but it is definitely not the end of the world. You now know what to expect when you arrive at the test center and the format of the exam. The second time will be the charm!
As you prepare to take the USMLE Step 1 a second time, you may question the study techniques and tools that you used the first time around. You may want to add different tools – online courses, Qbanks, study groups. Now that you know how the exam is formatted and you’ve had some real practice, choose what’s best for you.
Remember, even though you have studied for the exam, it is important to start from the beginning. Devise a study plan for the months ahead. Start by taking a simulated practice exam such as the NBME’s Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment or a half-day simulation on USMLERx. You can then use the performance profile you receive to guide your selection of study materials. Once you get back into your routine, your confidence will come back. Good luck!
Step 2 CK Minimum Passing Score May Change
May 28th
According to USMLE, they will be assessing the minimum passing score for the USMLE Step 2 CK examination at its meeting on June 9. They are deciding between recommended pass/fail results or establishing their own minimum passing requirements.
For more information and updates, visit http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/announcements.aspx.
Primary Care Shortage
May 23rd
The number of U.S. medical students opting for primary care careers has plummeted 52 percent over the past decade, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act will have an additional impact on primary care physicians. An estimated 18 million of the 34 million uninsured Americans will gain healthcare coverage over the next 10 years. They will be enrolled in Medicaid, a welfare program jointly administered and funded by the federal government and the states.
Primary care often loses out to other fields of medicine with better pay, better hours and higher profiles. The new law promises to start reversing that tide, from bonus payments for certain physicians to expanded community health centers.
The government says 65 million people live in areas designated as having a shortage of primary care physicians. The new law also promises to provide a 10 percent bonus from Medicare for primary care doctors who decide to serve in those areas.
Question: Are you planning on entering primary care? Why or why not?
Preparing for Shelf Exams
May 21st
Entering third year provides a whole new set of experiences: waking up before 4 a.m., working with actual patients, and facing a whole new set of exams. Exams are tailored to the clerkships in different ways across allopathic and osteopathic schools. A number of schools will use NBME’s “shelf” exams, national standardized subject-based exams.
How long are shelf exams?
Typically 2 hours and 10 minutes are allocated and restroom breaks, one person at a time, are permitted. However, schools vary when it comes to the actual time allotted as well as policies for leaving the room.
How many questions?
There are 100 questions on each shelf exam. Vignettes can be long, so practice filtering out the important information.
For which clerkships does the NBME offer shelf exams?
Clinical Neurology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Surgery.
How can I prepare?
A practice set of sample questions for each of the exams is available here:
http://www.nbme.org/PDF/NBME2010SubjExamsPaperAndWeb.pdf
To simulate a shelf exam, use USMLERx Step 2 CK Qmax by shelf subject.
New Specialties Added to 2011 Match
May 16th
The NRMP announced that three additions to the 2011 Match:
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowships (FPRS): Applicants interested in FPRS programs should register for the FPRS Fellowship Match and not the OB-GYN Fellowship Match.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP): Sponsored by the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the DBP match will open on August 11, 2010.
Medical genetics (MG): Sponsored by the Medical Genetics Residency Program Directors Group, the Medical Genetics Fellowship Match will open for registration on July 28, 2010. Concurrent with their match at the NRMP, Medical Genetics programs will begin using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
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