Top Websites to review before your Residency

Before you start your residency programs it is very important to revise and read up before you face your first day. It creates a very good impression and at the same time works well to boost your confidence. Here is a list of recommended websites related to the following diseases which are recommended by programs as a must read.

Asthma: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm (and navigate back to the asthma site section for the 2002 update)

Diagnosis: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040901/893.html
Treatment: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040915/1061.html

Cholesterol: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp_iii.htm (and navigate back to the cholesterol site section for the 2006 update)

Hypertension: (and navigate back for the full version--this is the "express" http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jncintro.htm Click “PDF Document.” When done, click “Back” then click “Information on The ATP III Update” at top of page.

Obesity: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_home.htm

Diabetes: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/30/suppl_1/S4 http://www.utdol.com/online/login.do;jsessionid=BBCAA2A0C1DAD929C38F35DA... You will have to register. Then search “Diabetes,” click “Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, “ click “Definition and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus.” Read the paragraph titled “New Criteria (ADA)” only then click “Back.” Then click “Drugs That Improve Insulin Action…” then click back and click “Drugs That Increase Insulin Secretion…”

STD's: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/toc.htm

Group B Strep: http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/docs/RR5111.pdf

Pain Management: (this one is being updated at present but may be back on line in a week or two) http://www.ama-cmeonline.com Heart Failure: http://www.acc.org/qualityandscience/clinical/guidelines/failure/indexup...

COPD: http://www.utdol.com/online/login.do;jsessionid=BBCAA2A0C1DAD929C38F35DA... (A login & password will be provided at the beginning of your clerkship) Search “COPD,” click “COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease),” then click “Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” When done, click “Back” then click “Overview of Management of Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.”

Congestive Heart Failure: http://www.utdol.com/online/login.do;jsessionid=BBCAA2A0C1DAD929C38F35DA... Search “Congestive Heart Failure,” click “Congestive Heart Failure,” click “Evaluation of the patient with suspected heart failure.” When done, click “Back” then click “Overview of the therapy in heart failure due to systolic dysfunction.”

Clinical Preventive services: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/exam.html

Attention Deficit Disorder: Diagnosis: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/5/1158 Treatment: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b108/4...

Preoperative "clearance": http://www.acc.org/qualityandscience/clinical/guidelines/perio/Periop_pk...

Urinalysis Interpretation: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050315/1153.html

Urinary Tract Infection: http://www.aafp.org/afp/990301ap/1225.html

Upper Respiratory Infection: http://www.utdol.com/online/login.do;jsessionid=BBCAA2A0C1DAD929C38F35DA... Search “Upper Respiratory Infection.” Click “Upper Respiratory Infection” then click “The Common Cold in Adults.”

Acute Diseases:

Otitis Media: http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic351.htm

Otitis Media: http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic351.htm Pharyngitis: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030215/practice.html

Sinusitis: Diagnosis: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041101/1685.html Treatment: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041101/1685.html

Breast Cancer Screening: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm

Cervical Cancer Screening: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspscerv.htm

Colon Cancer Screening: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspscolo.htm

Prostate Cancer Screening: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsprca.htm Smoking Cessation: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020315/1107.html http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr4916.pdf

The Iserson's book has probably been there the longest and is probably the most popular. This book has made it to the 7th edition (2006). This book has one of the most comprehensive coverage in this topic.

Note: If you are planning a residency match in the next few months this book might not be very useful. Medical Graduate will have to have bought this in their first or second year and read it to enjoy the benefits of this book. It helps you prepare your self and plan towards a Medical Residency in 2-4 year time frame. People who buy it after that also might find bits and pieces of the book are informative but not all sections about clinical experience and research are helpful when you read it couple of months before the match process.

The topics that this book covers are:
 It describes about the various specialities available and explains in detail what each speciality offers.
 It helps you in choosing the speciality by pointing out the important factors when choosing a speciality.
 It also introduces you to some valuable websites where you will be able to gather information.
 It will discuss in brief about Clinical Experience, Clerkship and Research.
 Some of the key criteria like How many programs to apply and what are the considerations for each of them are covered in detail.
  It will also talk about special situation like couple matching, students with disabilities, minority groups etc.
 It gives some great details and tips for IMGs. It covers the struggles you might face as an IMG/FMG. It gives details about various exams and some requirements for these medical grauduates.
 Interview - It has one of the most comprehensive coverage for this section. It talks about preparing for the interview, questions to expect and how to answer them, Interview attire and how to follow up after the interview.
 Information on NRMP and other matches.
 Finally what to do if you are matched. 

Pros:

 This is one of most complete guides available for medical residents. 
 It is one of the must haves/reads if you are a medical graduate and plan to do a residency in US of A.
 It is just common sense stuff that you might be able to gather from the Internet, but if you would like to save some time from having to browse thousands of web pages and instead have a book that combines most of the required  knowledge into a few hundred pages, this book will do it for you.

Cons:

 The last edition was way back in 2006, some of the information is outdated, like for example the Board exams have been computerized and the book still refers to the old 2 day process.
 One of the most critical area residents need help with is writing the personal statement or Statement Of Purpose. Some institutions make their decisions based on the personal statement. This topic needs to be covered in depth. This book gives it just a two page treatment which not sufficient. The information on this topic is shallow and very generic.
 Since it is probably the only book with some much information and die to its reputation (in print since 1988, and in its 7th edition 2006) it is pretty expensive -$35.

Summary

This book is by far the best bet when it comes to information for getting into medical residency in US. It is a little pricey and some of the information is outdated. You might also want to buy it as early as possible (2-4 years) before you do your residency match.