kagildersleeve Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I know that there are some variations of this topic on previous threads, but I am interested specifically in books to get and read before starting PA school that may be helpful. Here are two texts that I've heard are useful: Bates Guide to Physical Exam and History Taking Clinical Pathophysiology Made Ridiculously Easy Any comments on these books/additional suggestions? A book on pharmacology would also be helpful, since I've only taken behavioral pharm and I suspect that course will be a rude awakening. Just looking for some good bedtime reading so I don't stumble in completely unprepared :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PYRITE Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I would advocate not reading a ton of medicine books. Read something for entertainment (you won't get a chance to read ANYTHNG for pleasure once school starts). If you must pre-study I would also recommend any of the (fill in the blank) ______ made ridiculously simple series.The Language of Medicine by Chabner is an easy and useful read (depending on your clinical experience, you might find it very basic). Brushing up with a good anatomy book wouldn't hurt. If you haven't read a lot of EKG, you might look at that a bit. I have found the Dr. Najeeb you tube videos (recommended in another thread) to be useful. To reiterate my original advice, relax while you can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FfIghter23 Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I would relax now while you can (spend as much time with family and friends). A couple of weeks before starting school, start a routine by increasing your reading everyday on medical terminology, anatomy, and basic physiology. You don't want to start school cold, but you also need to relax and get out and about while you still have the chance. As far as pharm books, I would advise not going too far in depth until you get to school and the profs tell you what you need to know. If you already have some HCE and have a lot of pharmacology knowledge then I would review "Basic & Clinical Pharmacology" by Katzung. Also, the best way to learn pharmacology is repetition. Use flash cards and carry around a Tarascon Pharmacopia or some kind of pocket drug reference and look up new drugs and review everyday while in school. Hope this helps, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Steve Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Perhaps you can find out the book list, maybe from the current class, get those books and dig in. Or perhaps u can chill and just enjoy the bit of mellow time u will have for awhile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I disagree. Not doing anything all summer before PA school has significantly added stress. I would buy a regional anatomy textbook and start going over all the regions. If you can't do that, just read your undergrad textbook. Really study it as well as you can. Trust me it will save you a lot of stress when you realize you "already know it." Bates guide will most likely be a required book on your list. It sucks big time, but I am pretty sure all med school and PA schools use it. I doubt it will make a lot of sense before they teach you any physical exam, but it might be helpful. If you don't want to study the sciences, wait until your program assigns a mentor to you and then ask them what "easy" classes you can prepare for, what to read for them, etc. Take notes! This way you can focus on the hard stuff when you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted November 2, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 2, 2012 Good of you to not slack off, despite the contrary advice in this thread. Having said that, you will be reading a TON in school, so strategically pick things that will prepare you to succeed. * Bates is a good idea, but might not be my top pick. I like to know "why?" before "what?". * Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment is a great one-book overview of a LOT. * A lot of people in my class seemed to struggle with evidence-based medicine. Unless you know you have a different textbook for that, you might want to pick up "Users' Guides to the Medical Literature: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, Second Edition" by Guyatt. EBM is a non-medical topic--it's statistics, logic, and risk management--so it may be a bit of a change of pace. * You can't go wrong with more A&P review using your resource(s) of choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kagildersleeve Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Thank you guys!! All very helpful suggestions - I will definitely look into the books recommended. And don't worry, I'll enjoy my quickly fleeting free time wisely, while also trying to stay fresh on my a&p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 If you do get to anatomy, focus on what you had the most trouble understanding in undergrad. It won't hurt to just memorize all the muscles and bones because it's the driest topic and there is a lot of them :). Maybe focus on functions of cranial nerves too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briepm Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 If you do get to anatomy, focus on what you had the most trouble understanding in undergrad. It won't hurt to just memorize all the muscles and bones because it's the driest topic and there is a lot of them :). Maybe focus on functions of cranial nerves too. And the branching innervations from the spinal cord! I try to think of it like.. if I had a trauma patient come in with his/ her spinal cord severed at this level, what would NOT function in that person's body? If you can even start to get that down before school you will have yourself at lot of frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Simply read from cover to cover: A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants: In Collaboration with AAPA and P'A by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Sarah F. Zarbock Then repeat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted November 3, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 3, 2012 I don't know that it is as helpful before PA school as it is during didactic year, Contrarian. It provides a great outline for each topic, but I wouldn't choose it for an underpinning, refresh-the-fundamentals text. But it is definitely a must have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 85% of what will be covered in any accredited PA program ... is in that book. Anyone who knows that book prior to the first day of PA school will be ahead of the game by a stretch. Primarily because when the fontain of info is presented in the PA program and on the MANY tests that will be administered... it won't be the first time its been seen. Knowing this info prior to matriculating will inculcate the dx and tx of the "bread and butter" (horses) of what we know and do .... and therefore allow the student to spend that in program study time learning the "hard stuff/concepts." (zebras) Most other general medical texts are entirely toooo verbose... this one is slim, trim, succinct and to the point. YMMV... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterallsummer Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 House of God by Sam Shem. My advice as a current 1st yr is don't study beforehand. There is more to life than school. You want to prepare than invest that time in family, friends and personal growth because a lot of that goes away when school starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkrumm Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I just graduated. I was really glad I did the two things I did: 1. Med term: http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Terminology-Short-Course-5e/dp/1416055185/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352742030&sr=8-3&keywords=medical+terminology 2. EKGs: http://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Interpretation-EKGs-Sixth-Dubin/dp/0912912065/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352742109&sr=1-1&keywords=dubin These were really helpful, and they gave me a little refresher in time management. And YES. Also read for pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbreeze Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Addition to what everyone posted above: DEFINITELY start looking over EKGs if you are not familiar with them. We had 4 lectures over 2 week span total to know the EKGs. It will save you a lot trouble. Dubin's EKG book is great for that! Start looking over anatomy!!! If you are very keen and eager just go ahead and buy the AP revealed online program, it has everything, muscles/bones and much more. I would definitely start looking over muscles and bones. And yeah it depends on the programs how much they emphasize on origin/insertions and innervations. If you didn't do anything, then just look over muscles and learn there innervations to start. Cecil's is kind of similar to CMDT but its more in a txt book format and easier to handle than CMDT. (We're almost done with our first semester and I only used CMDT twice, take this as you will). Ridiculous simple series are amazing and so are the review board books, bc guess what? That's what the program wants you to know when you leave and that's what the exam questions will reflect. :) Oh and also don't buy all the books bc they are on the list. Wait and see how everything pans out. But these listed above are a great help and I highly recommend these. I wish someone told me to look over anatomy especially muscles/bones stuff bc we have an exam coming up on that stuff (we've had 3 lectures on this stuff only!). Now with that said, does this mean you lock yourself up and stress about the material? No!!! Take it by bits, pull up anatomy chart or something if you're watching tv, working out or are just chilling in your bed. Enjoy your time! Trust me you'll miss it once the school starts :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ickspiders Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Cecil's is kind of similar to CMDT but its more in a txt book format and easier to handle than CMDT. (We're almost done with our first semester and I only used CMDT twice, take this as you will). Ridiculous simple series are amazing and so are the review board books, bc guess what? That's what the program wants you to know when you leave and that's what the exam questions will reflect. Which Cecil's? I'm also trying to learn some stuff before school next year. I just looked up Cecil's on Amazon, and here are the 3 options that come up first and look the most relevant: 1) http://www.amazon.com/Andreoli-Carpenters-Cecil-Essentials-Medicine/dp/1416061096/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-1&keywords=Cecil%27s 2) http://www.amazon.com/Goldmans-Medicine-Expert-Consult-Premium/dp/1437727883/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-2&keywords=Cecil%27s 3) http://www.amazon.com/Cecil-Medicine-Expert-Consult-Online/dp/1416028056/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-3&keywords=Cecil%27s Note: Thank you to all the experienced PAs and PA students who answer questions from those of us who don't yet know much (comparatively). I hope I will be able to help someone on this thread at some point when I am in or finish school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterallsummer Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Here you go man, pre-PA reading list: 1) Since you wanna know about medicine early: http://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Pathophysiology-Made-Ridiculously-Simple/dp/0940780801 2) Best book on medical ethics and it's pseudo-fiction and very very easy and entertaining read IMHO http://www.amazon.com/House-God-Samuel-Shem/dp/0425238091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352925590&sr=1-1&keywords=house+of+god 3) I guess if you really want to but I would say wait til school starts IMHO: http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Certification-Recertification-Examinations-Assistants/dp/1605477265/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352925561&sr=1-2&keywords=physician+assistant+board+review+certification+and+recertification For now, again just my advice, skip Cecil's, wait til you start reading it for school. I may get bashed for this (who cares) but Wikipedia is a great source to learn from, just type in a disease that interests you and read to your heart's content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbreeze Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Which Cecil's? I'm also trying to learn some stuff before school next year. I just looked up Cecil's on Amazon, and here are the 3 options that come up first and look the most relevant: 1) http://www.amazon.com/Andreoli-Carpenters-Cecil-Essentials-Medicine/dp/1416061096/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-1&keywords=Cecil%27s 2) http://www.amazon.com/Goldmans-Medicine-Expert-Consult-Premium/dp/1437727883/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-2&keywords=Cecil%27s 3) http://www.amazon.com/Cecil-Medicine-Expert-Consult-Online/dp/1416028056/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352911415&sr=1-3&keywords=Cecil%27s Note: Thank you to all the experienced PAs and PA students who answer questions from those of us who don't yet know much (comparatively). I hope I will be able to help someone on this thread at some point when I am in or finish school. http://www.amazon.com/Andreoli-Carpe...ords=Cecil%27s This one! :) Sorry for late reply! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbreeze Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Here you go man, pre-PA reading list: 1) Since you wanna know about medicine early: http://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Pathophysiology-Made-Ridiculously-Simple/dp/0940780801 2) Best book on medical ethics and it's pseudo-fiction and very very easy and entertaining read IMHO http://www.amazon.com/House-God-Samuel-Shem/dp/0425238091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352925590&sr=1-1&keywords=house+of+god 3) I guess if you really want to but I would say wait til school starts IMHO: http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Certification-Recertification-Examinations-Assistants/dp/1605477265/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352925561&sr=1-2&keywords=physician+assistant+board+review+certification+and+recertification For now, again just my advice, skip Cecil's, wait til you start reading it for school. I may get bashed for this (who cares) but Wikipedia is a great source to learn from, just type in a disease that interests you and read to your heart's content. Totally agreeee! Wikipedia comes in handy when you just want the dead-on facts without the itty bitty details! :) And yes don't worry about Cecil's for now, bc your program will guide you as to what to focus and what not to focus on. It will get over-whelming if you're just trying to grab a book to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoc Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 For what it's worth - I think reading ahead in this regard is pretty much a waste of time. I strongly recommend that you hone your technical reading and comprehension by working on your reading skills. At least a couple of you are looking at that last sentence and think I've lost my mind but here's the thing. I doubt that any program you have been in to date has required you to read the volume of reading you will be called upon to do with similar density. I have given the Nelson-Denny reading test to PA students and some of those with great undergraduate GPA's were extraordinarily slow readers. That didn't make much difference when the volume and complexity of the material was lighter but when they were assigned 25 pages per night in 4 classes it made a huge difference. Increasing your wpm and your comprehension will make a huge difference now and for the rest of your medicine-reading life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taotaox1 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 LOL. Have fun and enjoy yourself. When school starts your outside life, hobbies, and free time will die a violent, terrible death. If you MUST have something, go through dubins EKG book or buy cecils and pick a chapter to read once a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcd1976 Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Don't study. ENJOY your family, friends, favored activities. Your life will come to a screeching halt once school begins and your time with those you care about will be greatly limited. Take the time to let those you love know how much you love them, the next couple of years will be tough, and you'll make it up to them when it is all over. If you've got to study, pick an area of medicine where you have NO exposure and spend 5-10 minutes per day reading up on it, NO MORE. You'll be amazed how much you pick up and how well it serves you down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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