Books/reading:
Everyone has there own opinion...and I'm just finishing
my intern year so I know about .01% more than u - but
here goes. I bought Miller Review (worthless sketch of
all of ortho - probably good for second year and up),
Skeletal Trauma (great reference book - read random
chapters - awesome book), had access to Campbells in
the online version (dense, but has everything, look here
if u can't find it anywhere else), and MOST importantly
the Koval handbook - keep it in ur pocket and if u
at least can reconize everything that is in that book
u will be all set.
Another great source I found to be helpful while
taking primary ortho call is Wheelessonline.com (Duke
University) - its a online textbook that has a great
deal of information. When I was getting killed with
consults at night - and didn't know something, before
I called someone (senior or attending) I would pull
up the page in front of me on a nearby computer for
quick reference. You'll find seniors to be very helpful
when it looks like ur not just waking them up to
ask questions that can be found in a book - but
that u have read something/anything before you
call them. They might ask a classification system,
or indications for surgery vs. not etc.
General advice.
1.
When your on easy non-ortho months
spend an hour a day reading something ortho. If we're
going to be honest - your not gunno be able to force
yourself to do too much more than that..
2.
Be prepared just a little for conferences..
you'll get called on - and asked questions - if
you know something they stop calling on you.
3.
Be nice to everyone (PERIOD). Esp. on other services.
Not much is expected of you. Show up on time in the morning,
read the chart prior to formal rounds so that you know what
other services said about yoru patient, talk to your patient (PROBE
them) for issues overnight - it sucks when u walk into the room
with yoru team on G. Surg and they say I had 10 BMs last night!
Your like shit - now the ortho resident on the service looks
like he's not paying attention. Give respect and demand
respect in return from people around you - ur there to work
on there service for them, but in return ask to learn something
(will help u on Step 3).
Intern year is pretty laid back - just be a patient advocate
and people around you will notice...just don't be lazy
and try to read when u can and u'll be a superstar.
and the most important thing - this is key....
sorry getting paged.
