[Jaysh]

Dude, micro is insane. How in the hell am I supposed to memorize this crap?

[Khairan]

Originally Posted by Jaysh

Dude, micro is insane. How in the hell am I supposed to memorize this crap?

Micro made ridiculously simple is a superb resource for learning the fundamentals. First Aid has a pretty decent micro section in it too with good charts and tables.

[ssalmanj]

How detailed is the micro? What kind of things do you have to learn, specifically?

[Jaysh]

Originally Posted by Khairan

Micro made ridiculously simple is a superb resource for learning the fundamentals. First Aid has a pretty decent micro section in it too with good charts and tables.

I used MRS in my first two years of med school...you think it's worth it to use it for the USMLE?

[Khairan]

Originally Posted by Jaysh

I used MRS in my first two years of med school...you think it's worth it to use it for the USMLE?

I wouldn't study out of it per se, but it's a good reference book. I had good results with first aid and qbank as my primary sources of studying. I also gave a particular focus to studying pathology and physiology for the exam.

[iliketofish]

Originally Posted by Jaysh

Dude, micro is insane. How in the hell am I supposed to memorize this crap?

I didn't find it to be too difficult on the real thing. Definitely read Micro made simple again. You'll be surprised at how fast you can go through it again if you skip over the tables and antibiotics (First Aid is more than enough for this). I luckily got 2 obscure questions asking about stains that I remembered from qbank so make sure to go through as many q's as you can.

[Jaysh]

Originally Posted by iliketofish

I didn't find it to be too difficult on the real thing. Definitely read Micro made simple again. You'll be surprised at how fast you can go through it again if you skip over the tables and antibiotics (First Aid is more than enough for this). I luckily got 2 obscure questions asking about stains that I remembered from qbank so make sure to go through as many q's as you can.

ok bro thanks for the heads up.

i feel like i read stuff and promptly forget everything.

[ssalmanj]

How the heck do I remember which organs are derived from the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm??? I just can't remember, ever. Are there any good mnemonics?

Yea, I'm still a premed studying for the MCAT, go ahead and laugh.

[ssalmanj]

How does one become a hematologist? Are any of you guys doing that? I think you have to do internal med first and then a fellowship, right?

[Jaysh]

Originally Posted by ssalmanj

How the heck do I remember which organs are derived from the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm??? I just can't remember, ever. Are there any good mnemonics?

Dude, it's simple.

Ectoderm --> Skin and Nerves

ENDOderm --> ENDOcrine glands, GI and respo tract

Mesoderm --> Mostly everything else

Don't think you need a mnemonic for that.

[MaleFashionista]

Originally Posted by ssalmanj

How does one become a hematologist? Are any of you guys doing that? I think you have to do internal med first and then a fellowship, right?

Hematologists are almost always double boarded in medical oncology as well. To do that, you have to a three year medicine residency, followed by a three year heme/onc fellowship. There are a handful of dedicated hematology fellowships out there that you can do after medicine (not sure how long they are...2 years maybe?)...but that's not nearly as common.

Honestly, the whole process of doing medicine and a fellowship sounds kinda painful to me...

[Jaysh]

Let's say I don't land an ER residency...and I go into internal medicine instead....is it possible to just work in ER's doing shift work after doing an Internal Med residency? A couple residents told me that this is more than possible, and that's why going into ER is stupid, since you can still work in an ER doing shift work if you do Internal Med.

Can someone verify this?

[MossadConspiracy]

Originally Posted by Jaysh

Let's say I don't land an ER residency...and I go into internal medicine instead....is it possible to just work in ER's doing shift work after doing an Internal Med residency? A couple residents told me that this is more than possible, and that's why going into ER is stupid, since you can still work in an ER doing shift work if you do Internal Med.

Can someone verify this?

salam

i know it happens with family practice residents and attendings and i've heard the same about medicine... but you have to train or practice in a place that has shortages of ER docs

ws

[Jaysh]

Originally Posted by MossadConspiracy

salam

i know it happens with family practice residents and attendings and i've heard the same about medicine... but you have to train or practice in a place that has shortages of ER docs

ws

OK. Thanks.

Fi Aman Allah.

[Khairan]

Originally Posted by Jaysh

Let's say I don't land an ER residency...and I go into internal medicine instead....is it possible to just work in ER's doing shift work after doing an Internal Med residency? A couple residents told me that this is more than possible, and that's why going into ER is stupid, since you can still work in an ER doing shift work if you do Internal Med.

Can someone verify this?

This is certainly possible, but it's absurd to say that it's "stupid" to do an ER residency. I'll wager the residents who told you this weren't ER doctors.

Emergency docs get training in things which IM simply doesn't do -- you'll see pediatrics, ob/gyn, and surgical problems. You'll need to know how to interpret FASTs, put in chest tubes, cast fractures and correct dislocations. None of this is training you are guaranteed to formally receive in medicine outside of an elective, so the residents who tell you that an ER residency has nothing to offer people wanting to do, well, emergency medicine, don't know what they're talking about.

That said, yes, it IS possible to work in the emergency room without being residency trained. Family doctors are known to do it, and I'm sure IM can do it as well. Just be aware that your job opportunities will be somewhat limited because not every ER will hire you, for instance busy ERs with complex caseloads.