AccessMedicine on a PDA

AccessMedicine is Lange publishing group's website with access to all their textbooks. For each article found on the website, it can be saved to a PDA. After downloading the PDA program from the website, users can save the documents for PDA synchronization. With the articles on the PDA, it's easier to read selected chapters from books during down time at the hospital.

Technology in Medicine

Currently, I'm learning how to use computer software for managing patient information. However, during the last month in outpatient care, after learning about the computer software, the software has been of little use. I've never used it to look up patient information. Basically, all the patient information can be found in the patient's folder. A computer's not needed in this situation. At the hospital, I could see the use of having patient information from several different sources in one point. One specific situation would be having lab information delivered instantly. Otherwise, all the patient information could be put into one folder. Software could be used to collect data and analyze data based on diseases and symptoms.

USMLE Score Reports

Step 1 scores are being released for those people who took the test this summer. Apparently, they're being released weekly, and arrive in the mail.

Blueprints in Pediatrics

Blueprints in Pediatrics is part of a line of textbooks for third year of medical school. It's got a very concise review of important topics for the clinics. Each topic has sections for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. For more detail, look at the textbooks and handbooks found in the hospital clinics and nursery.

Buying a PDA on eBay

I just recently bought a Tungsten E on eBay, and I'm disappointed with my purchase. After noticing my battery was drained within one day of use, I noticed on the internet several posts about the E having a battery that wore out after 6 months or less. I would have to advise against getting a used PDA on ebay, and only buying new models. Although even with buying a new PDA, eventually the battery will stop holding its charge for very long. Its a large problem since the Palm battery is not replaceable. I've read this is a common problem with many lithium ion battery powered products like mp3 players. Why would somebody pay 200 dollars plus for a device that will function optimally for only 6 months to 2 years?

Babies in Peds

One of the greatest aspects of pediatrics is taking care of newborn babies. They're anywhere from three days old to a month old, and you're one of the first people to take care of them and make sure they're doing well.

First Full Day of Peds

I saw a grand total of three patients by myself. The emphasis is on being by myself. Basically, I see a patient and report the findings to the attending. Then, the attending sees the patient for the final assessment and plan. It's similar to being an intern with a lot less responsibility.

What I learned my first day of pediatrics

Little kids punch anything at their level, so watch out for low blows from 2.5 year olds. Sick kids are still hyper-active.

PDAs on eBay

USMLE Step 1 Books on ebay

PDA for Rotations

I have to get a PDA as I start rotations for third year. Minimum requirements are 32 megabytes in memory space for medical programs.

	Palm LifeDrive Its got a 4 gigabyte hard drive, which sets it apart from any other PDA on the market. Another distinguishing aspect is its price, $500. It might be more than I need for rotations at the hospital, but it would also serve as an mp3 player.
	Treo 650 This PDA has everything bundled into one small package, including a a camera and a phone. I would only have to carry one device to the hospital, and its memory is expandable with SD cards. One drawback is its small size. The Treo has a much smaller screen than other PDAs after seeing it at an electronics store. The size is good for carrying it around as a phone, but I wouldn't be too happy staring at a small screen in the hospital.
	Tungsten T5 The T5 is the top of the line flash drive based PDA, with a large 256 mb of internal memory. This is its main selling point, along with its fast processor and large screen.
	Tungsten T3 The T3 is probably the best value for the money among the high end PDAs. Its got a large screen accessible by pulling open the PDA. Its a unique design, but I would rather have a large screen available at all times.
	Tungsten E This is the minimum suggested PDA for rotations. Its got 32 mb of internal memory, which is enough for medical applications.

First Aid for Step 1

This book provided a good foundation for reviewing for the boards.

Books for Medical School

USMLE Books on Amazon

BRS Books

Merck Manual Online

http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/sections.jsp

Two Days Before Step 1

I'm glad I put in this much work; it's one reason I feel calm about the upcoming test, putting in everything I had for this time.

bald 1

bald 1
Originally uploaded by jks184.

Advantages of being bald - less shampoo, no need to dry hair, no need for a comb.

bald 2

bald 2
Originally uploaded by jks184.

I lost about 2 pounds of hair since the previous picture.

my life right now

IMG_0381
Originally uploaded by jks184.

Laying on a bench in the quad, with my full beard, and using my bookbag as a pillow, the only thing distinguishing me from a bum was reading my pathology flashcards.

Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value, Negative Predictive Value

Go across for the PPV and NPV formulas; go down for the sensitivity and specificity formulas.

	Actual
	+	-
+	TP	FP	PPV
-	FN	TN	NPV
	Sens	Spec

Silicosis

Silicosis is a nodular fibrosis of the lungs. Its typically found in people exposed to free silica (SiO2) in their working areas, such as mining or stonecutting. Patients develop a progressive fibrosis of their lungs based on their exposure, and the disease can be fatal within two years. Silicosis has a wide range of presentation. Acute silicosis has profuse miliary infiltration or consolidation. Milder silicosis show small opacities and possible coalescence. The hilar nodes are the lymph nodes of the lungs, and they may become calcified. Hilar lymph nodes with an "egg shell" appearance are a classic presentation of silicosis on radiographs. The pulmonary nodules of silicosis, which are found in the upper lobes of the lungs, may lead to progressive massive fibrosis and subsequent restrictive and obstructive lung disease. This may lead to ventilatory failure. Patients with silicosis are more prone to develop Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and other atypical mycobacterial infections.(1)
Even ten to thirty years after exposure, silicosis can be asymptomatic. Patients can present with dyspnea, cough, or sputum production. Chest radiographs show small pulmonary nodules, from 1 mm to 10 mm, in the upper lobes of the lungs. Silicosis' complications include with lung cancer, chronic respiratory failure, and cor pulmonale. Patients should be treated for tuberculosis infections and other lung ailments. Other than for severe cases, prognosis is generally good for silicosis with possible mild respiratory symptoms.(2)

Medical Student Report
(1) Harrison's Online
(2) Hanley Pulmonology
McGraw-Hill's AccessMedicine