Books for Medicine ?

I was wondering, does anyone know any general good books about going into medicine and becoming a doctor? I don't mind what kind of book it is I just want something to read to broaden my knowledge and opinions on the career a little.

thanks. :biggrin:

Reply 1

The Toffy

I have the dental version of this

And i think its brilliant.

Hope it helps :smile:

Reply 2

Saffie

The career progression of doctors has changed over the last couple of years, thanks to MMC, so the books about becoming a doctor aren't as relevant as they were. You're better off doing work experience, researching MMC and career progressions and maybe reading some doctor's blogs.

The top 10 medical blogs according to someone, ha: http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2007/09/blogging-guide-2007-top-10-medical.html

Reply 3

hamednhg

I red this book as our dear medic RENAL suggested it to me and LOVED IT!!!

Bedside Stories : Confessions of a Junior Doctor

I recommend it to ANYONE interested in a medical career :biggrin:

Reply 4

mkchelsea

hamednhg

I red this book as our dear medic RENAL suggested it to me and LOVED IT!!!

Bedside Stories : Confessions of a Junior Doctor

I recommend it to ANYONE interested in a medical career :biggrin:

Yeah, I'm reading that now actually, the guy seems real depressed, I hope I don't turn out like that!

Reply 5

Saffie

It's darling, not dear!!

Reply 6

hamednhg

Saffie

It's darling, not dear!!

is that quote aimed at me?

:s-smilie:

i was never good at english :biggrin:

mkchelsea

Yeah, I'm reading that now actually, the guy seems real depressed, I hope I don't turn out like that!

Ah no don't worry

it gets good in the end

i love the typical surgeons in his book :biggrin:

Reply 7

Renal

Saffie

It's darling, not dear!!

**** you, darling.

Reply 8

Saffie

hamednhg

is that quote aimed at me?

:s-smilie:

i was never good at english :biggrin:

it was more for renal's benefit, alas :getmecoat

Reply 9

halátnost

Not about the career but Gray's Anatomy is the ultimate medical book, no? Also the DSM-IV if you wanted to specialise in psychiatry for instance.

Reply 10

Renal

halátnost

Not about the career but Gray's Anatomy is the ultimate medical book, no?

No. It contains practically no medicine (or surgery for that matter). I found DSM-IV (& ICD10) moderately useful doing psych but they're not textbooks, just lists of symptoms and conditions.

Either way, neither of those is a "general good books about going into medicine and becoming a doctor".

My vote is for Bedside Stories & Getting Into Medical School (the annual version which appears not to have been published for a few years).

Reply 11

halátnost

Renal

I knew you'd pick up on all of the above! i was just giving my (i know, relatively worthless) two cents. My friend is in her last year of med at UCL and she said she found Gray's Anatomy insightful.

Publishers do seem to slack off on "annual" revisions a lot. not just with the medical imprints either.

Reply 12

bright star

no it's an anatomy book and for me personally there are better. people choose their own books based on personal preference. anyone being told to buy this book or that one before they start would be well advised not to bother, it's a waste of your money. might as well see what you like.

Reply 13

Eskamo

Two old old books:

The Doctor: Father Figure or Plumber?

Doctor in the House by Richard Gordon

I'd get the first one from a damn good library (manc uni was where I found mine, it goes for a lot of money online), and eBay the 2nd one (its well funny).

They aren't up-to-date at all, but they are the truest things you will read for a long time and still apply for today - the nurses know everything, surgeons are butchers, exams are ballbags and the first time you're on your own with a patient during night-shift thats asking you to help them to the toilet you'll be completely stuck for words for 5 seconds.

Reply 14

Custer

Renal

...I found DSM-IV (& ICD10) moderately useful doing psych....

That book is retarded in places tho, drinking coffee is a mental illness lool

Reply 15

Cynicism 101

An extremely awesome book is

The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat...It's really insightful, and entertaining at the same time..

Reply 16

Huw Davies

Oliver Sacks in general, in fact. I'd say that one and Awakenings are the best.

Reply 17

martin101

mmm to be honest most actual medical textbooks are so dry actually reading them cover to cover is a massive chore (alberts et al anyone?). Grays is pretty crap as far as anatomy texts go too. Its not the clearest and its diagrams are a bit dated lets say. My personal favourite is the Oxford Textbook of Functional Anatomy (set of 3 anatomy books that covers what you need to know for my coruse). I think this is really concise and clear (I cant really say anything bad about it because its written by my tutor lol!) Probably a bit tricky to get in a normal library but well worth a flick through if that kind of thing interests you.

Reply 18

Helenia

It's all about the Anatomy Coloring (yes, crap spelling, it's American!) book. :biggrin:

Reply 19

username43584

I like Gray's Anatomy Student's Edition (mainly because it's bright and colourful) but the standard version isn't so fun. Our core texts are Dean and Pegington which are good for RF&UCMS but probably not so relevant elsewhere. But that's dull and boring. You'll spend enough time avoiding textbooks in medical school...no need to learn them back to front now!

Bodies by Jed Mercurio will seriously put you off medicine but it's a good read.