What's Inside my Med Bag?

I have received several queries regarding the "Med Bag" since some fraternities and sororities are already selling some merchandise. Of course, buying from them is no hassle but if you want to get the prices cheaper, then grab your friends and go to Bambang. 

Most med bags look like this, so I suggest you use a keychain to make your med bag look unique. It is not mandatory to get this kind of bag, as long as it has a wide mouth then I see no problem in that.

1. Alcohol

During practicals, they leave a big bottle of alcohol on the side table. Always remember to use it before and after every station.

2. Cotton

Use it to clean your instruments or to test for soft touch during the neurological exam (Trigeminal nerve)

3. Snellen's chart

This is used to test for visual acuity. Use the normal Snellen's chart that looks like this. During the practicals, they will ask you to interpret your results, too. Remember that the numerator is the number of meters a normal person can read while the denominator is the meters the patient can read. Oh, don't forget to test one eye at a time, ask your patient to cover one eye when testing the other.

4. Sphygmomanometer

This is a new purchase for me. I used to use a sphygmomanometer with a big cuff which caused me to get a zero in one of my stations since my patient was stick thin. Remember if your cuff is too big, you will underestimate the blood pressure. If its too small, you will overestimate the blood pressure. It is ideal to use a cuff that is 40% of your patient's arm's width and 80% of your patient's arm's circumference. Apply the cuff a few cms above the cubital area and tighten the cuff with two fingers inside.

5. Stethoscope 

I recommend Littmann- the professors prefer this too. I've seen some professors belittle some students because they used a less branded steth. Mean, I know. Get your Steth engraved too to avoid loses. I got mine engraved in Rustan's Makati, relatively cheap, less than P200 for my whole name.

6. Tounge depressor

We almost never used this. Buy a box of sterile tounge depressors and share among your group.

7. 2 short rulers

If possible, cut the edge of your rulers  down to the zero mark. You will be using this to get the patient's jugular pressure.

8. Tuning fork

You'll be using this to do the Rinne and Weber's test to test for hearing. I suggest you use the one below since its easier to use. The one above is hard to use that I literally had bruises just trying to make it work.

9. Thermometer

They are not too strict when it comes to the thermometer. I guess it would be good if you have an ear thermometer as it is faster to yield some results. All practicals are timed.

10. Pen light

I use an Allen and Irving- really good  quality but there is really no need for it. Most of my classmates just make use of their ballpens with light (you know the ones you buy in Divisoria or the banketa)

11. Reflex hammer

Try practicing your reflexes with your partners as it is sometimes hard to elicit.

12. Tape

They also provide this during the practicals.

**the pulse oximeter, otoscope, and opthalmoscope are not needed individually during the second year. At least one per group will suffice.

Goodluck Sophomores!

Comprehensive Guide for UST Second Year Medical Students

Less than a month until classes resume. Are you excited to finally become a sophomore? One step closer to our dreams. :) First and foremost, if you have not read my previous blog post about my studying habits, read it as I have written down tips that I'm sure will be of help to you, too. As you may expect, second year is a lot harder than your first year, but no need to worry my friend, as I have written down below a guide for you to have a very smooth sailing second year. 

Pathology

Samplex based: Some (Professors like Dr. Arevalo, Dr. Abs, and a few more usually get some questions from samplexes)

Reference: Robbins (MUST!), Subsec notes (if you have no time)

Tip: Bank on high grades during the first semester since third shift is hard. VERY VERY VERY HARD. For the practicals, study the photos found in the powerpoints, Robbins, and smartnotes. Then, memorize the specimen given then eliminate the choices in your questionnaire (yes, there's a questionnaire with choices) example the question is about the cervix and the only given specimen during the lab review was squamous metaplasia so automatically answer squamous metaplasia. Works 98% of the time.

Medicine

Samplex based: Not entirely but same type of questions

Reference: Lectures, Smartnotes, and Mosby's and Harrison's

Tip: Grades are quite subjective with your facilitators- know them well and do what they want. Not all facilitators have the same techniques in doing the physical exam. The short quizzes have a wide range of test types, some will be identification, multiple choice, or true or false. Study the lectures and smart notes. However, for the shifting examinations, read Mosby's especially during the first semester since the questions are lifted from there, and Harrison's since most of the questions are application. 

Pharmacology

Samplex based: Short quizzes, sometimes. Long exams, no. 

Reference: HANDOUTS! (will make you pass), Katzung (will make you excel)

Tip: Know the basic concepts especially pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and prescription writing. Post-lecture quizzes are essays, and more often than not, they want the answers to be word per word. Ask the other sections, who had their quiz before you, the quiz questions since they do not repeat the same question twice. Also, listen carefully with the lecturers since they often emphasize the must-knows. If possible, copy the side notes of the previous sections already in order for you to concentrate with the lecture, and they sometimes give plus points for students who recite in class. 

Microbiology

Samplex based: No

Reference: Smartnotes and Jawetz

Tip: The usual type of question is multiple choice and true or false (like if its associated with the main topic or not). So, group the similar organisms together. Most of the shifting exam questions are lifted from the long exams so make sure to compile all questions with answers from the other sections too.

Surgery

Samplex based: Yes but not all answers in the samplex are right. So its upto you if you'll follow the samplex or you'll follow what you know.

Reference: Samplex hehehe 

Tip: Since the samplexes are sometimes unreliable, I resort to reading the Schwartz book which are helpful in understanding the topics. The practical minor is easy but grades will depend with your facilitators. And oh, be ready for free cuts. 

Clinical Pathology

Samplex based: No

Reference: Lectures (Scrap whatever you know from the past and just base all your answers from the lecture)

Tip: One word: MEMORIZE. For practicals, always remember to answer in the units stated in the question.

Obstetrics I

Samplex based: Some

Reference: Williams (MUST!) and Lalala notes (summary of an old edition of Williams and APMC)

Tip: The facilitators have a copy of the Lalala notes so they tend to not ask what is on the notes or ask what's already different from the new edition of Williams. Use it as your guide to know what the must knows are when reading the new edition of Williams. Also, ask your facilitators all your questions before taking the exam or ask for hints- because if you're lucky, they will.

Parasitology

Samplex based: some

Reference: Smart notes (And ask for your med tech friend's notes)

Tip: Same as Microbiology. Its important to memorize the diagnostic and infective stages of the parasites. For practicals, just focus on the must knows.

Neurology

Samplex based: Yes

Reference: Smart notes, Haines' book

Tip: Watch YouTube and learn the clinical application of the lessons. Its better if you read the book since it will let you understand the topic in depth.

Behavioral Medicine 

Samplex based: Some 

Reference: Lectures (No need to read Kaplan)

Tip: This one is more of memorization, too. What unexpectedly worked for me is that I memorized the ages of the stages which enabled me to properly correlate all topics.

Bioethics

Samplex based: No

Reference: Powerpoints

Tip: Like always, think what is good and what is moral.

Preventive Medicine

Samplex based: Statistics module- yes. The other two modules- no.

Reference: Powerpoints

Tip: They always check attendance so never miss one. Also, do good in your group works. You may opt to use the CPH projects of your fellow medtech classmates.

Clinical Epidemiology 

Samplex based: Yes

Reference: Sub sect notes and powerpoints

Tips: Finish whatever is expected of you to finish for your thesis since its an automatic 5% of your grade. Submit on time your weekly group homeworks, do a screenshot when submitted on E-leap as proof of submission (As you know Clin Ep is very notorious as the most disorganized department). 

Pediatrics I

Samplex based: Some

Reference: Subsec notes and blue book

Tips: No need to read every chapter in the big book, just read the tables there especially for the adolescence topic.

Anesthesiology

Samplex based: Yes

Reference: Handouts

Tips: Just memorize the must knows.

That's it. Always remember to study what you have first- do not use too much references as it may confuse you. No matter how much readings you need to do, think that you can finish it- because you eventually will. Do not worry about the things you cannot control. Get a good amount of sleep before school. And above all else, PRAY. 

Medicine- a Piece of Cake!

Whooopppps! Don't get me wrong- Medicine is hard. Very hard. Imagine years of your life barely having enough sleep, or even in your sleep you dream about school, giving up your precious lunch time for a much needed cram session, and saying no to your family and friends when they all want to go out. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the so-called 'Medlife.'

...but of course it could be easy. 

First and foremost, ask yourself why you want to become a doctor. Some may pursue medicine due to their parents' wishes and some are lucky enough because that's what they have always wanted to be. Whatever your reason, you MUST learn to love it and dream it. No matter how smart you are, if you're heart is not with it, you'll be a fool.

Now that you've set your big goal, set your mini goals- A friend once told me reach for the stars so that when you fall, you're still amongst the clouds; aim high, soar high. . Learn how to compute your grades, set a target grade, and do something to achieve it.

How to achieve it? Here are some of the tips I can share with you based on my own personal experience.

1. Find your studying habits. What works for me may not work for you. If my class ends at 4pm, I sleep til 6pm, eat my dinner then study 'til 1230am then sleep again. My best weapon against a hard exam is a good night's rest.

2. Books will be your best friend (You'll survive Medschool without reading your books, but reading will make you understand more. Plus, most exams are book based!)

3. You'll have to work hard with your classmates (and no, not cheating! I join with my friends and divide the workload- for example the exam is chapters 1-5, assign one chapter per person then share your notes)

4. After reading, use your samplex (sample exams). Samplexes are everywhere, use it! Not to memorize but to simply test you're understanding and have a grasp on how the questions are asked, so when you re-read your notes- you know where to focus.). Using another pen color, I underline the answers in the samplex in my notes. So that, when long exam comes (you'll be bombarded with lengthy readings) you won't need to re-read your samplexes.

5. With that being said, use different colors of highlighter. My friend who is the top of the class usually have his handouts clean. I,on the other hand, uses green for the header/topic, orange for the must knows, and yellow for the supporting data..

6. When taking the exam, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and RELAX. Chances are things you know will flow instantaneously!  Don't think about question 2, when you're still at question 1. If you can't answer it, move on to the next. If you really can not answer, close your eyes and pray. 

          I just want to share that one time during my Pedia exam (I need 7 mistakes only to get exempted- I had 22 unsure answers) so I prayed "Lord, how can I shrink my 22 unsure to 7 unsure only? Please shine your light down upon me" Right after praying, I opened my eyes, and literally sun rays struck my paper. I swear, I had goosebumps all over. God really has ways to answer your prayers. So believe in Him, more than you believe in yourself.

....

I hope this post works well for you, too! Goodluck, my future colleague!