Residency Books

Very well written, concise and to the point. Gives an excellent idea of what to expect when you start looking for a job after residency. Explains the common scenarios and pitfalls to look out for. Definitely helped me ask better questions during interviews and assess the job opportunities in a much more objective manner; rather than going in wide eyed, the big hike in salary clouding your judgement.

The last section on physician recruitment agreement was particularly helpful for me as I didn't know they existed. Nobody talks about these things during residency training.Thanks partly to this book, I probably will be starting my own practice, based on a physician recruiting agreement.

The surprisingly good "The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Right Job after Residency" written by Koushik Shaw was published in late 2005. It is probably the most useful book for the physician job search that I have come across so far. It is short, concise, to the point (sometimes a bit too short), but it covers absolutely everything that is relevant from getting to know your personal preferences in your work life to determining where exactly you want to live and work, how to find a job, how to interview, and - kudos for this section - how to analyze a practice you are looking at, what questions to ask a potential employer to uncover risks and possible mismatches early. The author goes into details of analyzing benefits offered by an employer and negotiating a contract. He even goes into the basics of opening your own practice.

Overall very well written, in good style, very easy and quick to read and extremely informative. One smart book everybody should read at least once and at least one year before graduation.

The doctor looking for a job must solve five main problems:
1) Define practice matching criteria - avoid regretting a wrong choice;
2) Define a good practice - avoid joining a second-tier practice;
3) Plan the interview process - make sure you ask the key questions;
4) Understand necessary legalese - what must be covered in your contract and what should be skipped;
5) Negotiate your compensation and benefits.

Keep this book next to you during your job search - it helps solving all of your job search problems.

Yuval Lirov, Practicing Profitability - Billing Network Effect for Revenue Cycle Control in Healthcare Clinics and Chiropractic Offices: Collections, Audit Risk, SOAP Notes, Scheduling, Care Plans, and Coding

This book is an absolute must have for any graduating resident. The author has put an enormous amount of research into a concise and organized fashion, allowing even the time restricted resident to conquer this book in a few short sittings. I have discussed this book with several junior attendings and private physicians, and they are all amazed at how much accurate and insightful information is hidden in this short concise book. It will save you weeks or even months of research and grant you an amazing head start into identifying and obtaining the right career. I truly believe this book will substantially increase your chances of a successful and happy career choice plus teach you to avoid many of the common pitfalls.

This is the only book of its kind that I was able to find. I am an anesthesiologist leaving the Army and joining the ranks of the civilian world. This book assisted me in understanding the Pros and Cons of different practice set-ups, and made me a more informed candidate during my job search.

Absolutely must for an IMG, has a lot of stuff starting on how to prepare a good application and also tips on writing personal statement and dos & dont,s for recommendation letters. I found it very useful and would definitely recommend it.

I bought this book on June/06, just prior the match season started. It totally changed my original plan. I was full of the info that is on the internet, the same that the thousands of applicants use. This book gives you in detail what you have to do in order to outstand from the rest. Focusing on the difficulties that an IMG has while trying to get a residency, set the profile of the SUCESSFUL IMG, and explains you how to become one. I relyed on this book only and obtained 10 invitations out of 30 applications, all from top centers like Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, or Mayo Clinic. Definitively, the best tool for IMG's.

I would swear and curse with joy, but I shall hold back!

The author of this book is to be commended on the exemplary structure and layout of this little gold-mine... I was hoping to find this work earlier, and I am only thankful that I have it in my hands right now!!!

Getting to the US, into a top-notched residency programme, while being a foreign medical graduate are all difficult things to combine and accomplish skilfully. It is absolutely wonderful to see a physician who made it, and who made it BIG.
I found this book thoroughly informative, believe it or not, on ALL the major steps required for that arduous process. Most texts offer scarse little tid-bits of already well-known facts that I needed to add MUCH more to. This book does that splendidly.
I particularly enjoyed the Seventy-Thirty rule.

Guys out there looking for more than JUST a book on getting through the hurdles?... this book is for those who want to do it and do it WELL. It's plain, and simple, and easy to read. I recommend it above ANY of the other books on the market. THIS ONE is the ONLY one of it's kind...

Thank you to the author. A tremendously honest piece of work. Congratulations.

It's a very comprehensive book and the tips it gives are really great and deal with real life. The LORs and interview sections are marvellous. The author has an indeed deep understanding of the successful application process for a residency in the U.S. What might miss from this book: maybe how can IMGs find an observership in the U.S for which he/she wouldn't have to pay, just like it is possible in Europe!
I recommend the book in highest terms to anyone applying for residency.

This is THE book for IMGs. Forget first aid and others. Nobody explains the finer details, the minutae that can enhance your competitiveness better than Anagh Vora. The book is a truly outstanding read and will help the readers in the process of obtaining a US residency.

Best would be to buy it by the 2nd-3rd year of medical college and utilise all the guidelines mentioned. Its 140 pages of information for just IMGs, so very much detailed as to what to do and what not to do.

Buying it will be the best decision in you quest for a US residency.

Having previously been disappointed by the irrelevance of other personal finance books (e.g. Personal Finance for Dummies) to the particular circumstances of a graduating medical student -- such as very high loan debt, relatively low immediate earnings, and relatively high long-term earnings -- this books is refreshingly specific. Unlike most personal finance books I've seen, which seem to be aimed at those too clueless to keep track of a personal budget or avoid credit card debt, this book clearly explains topics such as when and how to defer payment on loans, choosing retirement accounts, and taking out extra loans just before and during residency. Unfortunately, Dr. Lefebvre allows his (leftist) political views color his advice on choosing medical insurance or discussions of tax brackets, but these are relatively minor issues. Also, I was disappointed that, although he repeats the well-worn, general advice that one should begin saving for retirement as early as possible, he provides no clear financial breakdown of just why a young physician earning $45K per year should set aside a significant amount of scarce money for retirement now rather than waiting for a few years when that same physician may be earning over $300K per year.
Overall, it's a quick, easy, and highly relevant read for those about to graduate from medical school, and this would be an excellent gift for a gruaduting medical student. I'm surprised that other reviews view it as so applicable to "young professionals" in general, but be aware that it is written on the assumption that you are a physician, or about to become one; the more your financial circumstances diverge from this, the less value the book will have for you.

I think the title should read "for the Young Professional," because the book really discusses topics that are relevant to everyone, like student debt, insurance, real estate, retirement investing, etc. It's quick and easy to read and really explains things well. Highly recommended.

I have read Dr. Lefebvre's book, and must admit that it was very well written, and more importantly very informative. In fact, my only critique for this book is that the title should be corrected to read, "Personal Finance for the Young Professional" as the information contained within is applicable to anyone.

I have put into practice some of the values that are preached in the text, and I am already noticing some positive changes in my overall financial health. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely curious about personal finance-you should be if your not already.

Finally, I just wanted to say that authors Lefebvre, and Hungerford should be commended for their efforts in producing this much needed master-piece of how-to-books.

This book was just what I was looking for. It covers everything from buying a car, insurance, student loans, and investing for retirement, etc.. For once I actually understand this stuff! Plus, it's a relatively quick read that gets the job done fast. I have looked at other books that looked like they would have taken forever to read. I'm a medical student, and I don't have a lot of free time. I felt like this was the perfect starting point for learning about personal finance. The glossary at the back is a nice feature, too.

The book is well structured and very intuitive. Easy to read and comprehend

Unless you plan on purchasing both Rosai and Sternberg, most people at some point decide which one to buy. Since both are roughly the same price and the same length with the same amount of illustrations, it can be difficult to decide. Here is my take. If you're a resident, you'll probably prefer Sternberg because it is easier to read and has better charts and review tables. If you're an older resident or pathologist, Rosai is more comprehensive and thorough, although more laborious to read. Either way, you can't really go wrong as long as it doesn't just collect dust on the shelf. This book truly is excellent and you will not be disappointed if you choose Rosai.

A benchmark bench reference book for established and trainee pathologists: an histopathology trainee's bible. It is timeless and outstanding. Editors are bang up-to-date and move with the times. See something new down your microscope and can't put your finger on it? It is in Rosai's book. CDRom enclosed.

I read the previous edition and the current one... I found that it is a change from the better to the best. Rosai's surgical pathology is the only dependable text and the easiest to read and review book for the pathology residents. It is not comparabale to the other surgical pathology books because ..simply..it is the best. I realy advise it to the pathology residents and consultants.

I'm a Pharm.D and work in research, only moonlighting clinically part time, doing chart reviews. I don't always remember all of the finer details associated with some diagnoses. This book contains enormously useful information in a condensed format -- both in its articulation and physical shape which fits in a lab coat pocket. I find it to be a great quick reference, with appropriate uses of tables and algorithms to quickly refresh one's memory on the spot. literature references were included for each section which isn't always the case for other books of this type.

I just started my intern year in medicine. It's absolutely disconcerting at the beginning to be able to diagnose something but not know the requisite steps in management. This book provided a good guideline for laying out steps in treatment as well as diagnosis of the bread and butter cases that I am seeing on the floors. There is just enough detail to make it a quick reference guide so that you don't get bogged down in the extraneous information. I highly recommend this book for any medical student or interns.

Are you a medical student, intern, or resident who is (or will be) caring for patients on the medical ward? Do you find it challenging to locate practical and pertinent information about many of the common inpatient medical conditions? If your answers to these questions are "yes," then this book is for you!

Not too long ago, we were trying to learn the basic principles for the day-to-day care of medical inpatients. We found that review articles and book chapters provided an overview of medical topics but often lacked specific information directly applicable to patient care. Frequently, we also had difficulty determining the relevance of findings from original journal articles, especially when there were prior conflicting studies. As a result, we learned a vast amount of practical inpatient medicine from our co-interns, residents, fellows, and staff physicians. These teachers explained how to choose a dose of intravenous furosemide for our patient with decompensated heart failure or how to calculate the dose of subcutaneous insulin for a patient with resolving diabetic ketoacidosis. Basic concepts such as these have often been frustratingly difficult to acquire from other sources. Until now.

Our book, "The Most Common Inpatient Problems in Internal Medicine", provides practical and pertinent information for the most common medical problems encountered on the hospital ward. The chapters cover basic principles that every house officer should know, emphasizing "bread-and-butter" medicine. You will find useful information about common disorders you see everyday, including heart failure, pancreatitis, hyperkalemia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, acute renal failure, hyponatremia, and unstable angina. After reading this book, you will have a solid foundation upon which to build your knowledge as you advance in your career. You will find answers to the following types of questions:

* What rate and type of intravenous fluid should I administer to my patient with acute, symptomatic hyponatremia?
* Does my patient have iron deficiency anemia or anemia of chronic disease?
* How do I teach my patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to use a spacer for delivery of her inhaled glucocorticoids?
* How do I differentiate aspiration pneumonia from chemical pneumonitis and do these patients require antibiotics?
* How can I determine whether my patient's renal failure is acute or chronic when prior serum creatinine measurements are unavailable?
* My patient with suspected pulmonary embolism has a normal first-generation lung computed tomography (CT) scan -- what should I do next?

Each chapter is divided into sections that cover the epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, diagnosis, and management of the disorder under discussion. A "Key Points" box at the beginning of each chapter highlights some important take-home messages. Tables and figures clarify important and complex concepts. Each chapter ends with a list of references, which can also be used by those who wish to further their knowledge in specific areas.

We hope that you will enjoy reading this book as much as we enjoyed writing it.

Best of luck in your career!

John C. Sun, MD
San Francisco, California

Hylton V. Joffe, MD
Washington, District of Columbia


The book includes a foreword by Joel T. Katz, MD, Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Hey -

I haven't read this book, but have just found out about it and also have just finished residency (My husband finished, not me!) I'm actually not in the medical field at all, but have started an online community for medical spouses, to assist them in connecting with others in all stages of medicine. www.whitecoatwives.com I hope it helps you!

This book is really great. It's very well-organized and consice. It is full of helpful references and links, but really you don't need to look at any links because the book covers everything so thoroughly! I am a wife of a resident, and I would suggest this book to everyone- especially those considering starting medical school as either as student or a spouse! The author's stories are touching and to-the-point also-- I found myself reading on to the next chapter just because I wanted to read the author's introductory vignette to each new topic!

This book is very well written. Although the writer addresses her subject from the perspective of a medical spouse and surviving the ordeals of marriage, family, and spouse medical training, I found this to be an exceptional guide for any young couple regardless of their profession. There are many nuggets of sage advice that can not only be helpful but give the reader a chance to learn about what works and does not work so they can avoid making mistakes and help make their relationships more successful.
Bob Baird

This book, actually a doctoral dissertation, looks at the world of surgical residency for women of color.

Residency is supposed to be a tough, weeding out process. But female residents have several extra obstacles in their way. Most female doctors are in fields like gynecology or psychiatry. Those who want to become surgeons are encouraged to choose another specialty, because surgery is "too hard." Any patient complication will be looked at especially closely. Role models are rare; the number of female surgeons is tiny, while the number of black female surgeons is practically zero.

Since surgery is very much a male-dominated field, there is the usual obstacle of women having to work twice as hard to be considered half as good. Residency does not teach a person how to keep their humanity (which some surgeons have totally lost); what to say to a family whose loved one has just been declared dead (suppressing their femininity).

This book looks at the personal experiences of several black female surgeons. Their residency experiences, whether at predominantly white or black institutions, ranged from difficult to very difficult.

Even though this is a doctoral dissertation, it is clearly written, easy to read, and worth reading. The next time a loved one is in the hospital, and the doctor is a woman, just remember that she probably is experiencing, or has experienced, the things mentioned in this book.

This book is a great look into the experiences black women have as the vast minority in surgical residency. It is very well written and is full of rich writing and emotion. There is no parallel, especially as it is a topic that is not widely known about. This is a great book.

read the book to find more info

Typically, a medical student doesn't hear about this book until they are in the throes of residency interviewing. I was lucky enough to find this book early. It was my guideline for choosing clerkship rotations, making sense of the residency matching process, and practicing interview techniques. During my first and second years in medical school it allowed me to dream of possible specialties and reinstill the inspiration that "Yes, I can finish and actually have a great career". A must-have for all medical students.

An outstanding and practical book that has broad applicability across all levels of medical education, from medical students to residents to practicing physicians. This book provides practical advise for teaching and assessing physician competencies including: interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, and professionalism.

As the book flyer states, A Practical Guide to Teaching and Assessing the ACGME Core Competencies provides:

* Evidence-based knowledge, best practices, and the latest information about competency evaluation
* Tips for teaching, assessing, and documenting each competency
* Sample tools, forms, and resources
* Strategies for documenting tough-to-assess competencies such as practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, and professionalism
* A practical training guide to help medical education directors measure competence in each area
* An accompanying CD-ROM with adaptable forms, resources and glossary

I am responsible for determining how to teach and evaluate competencies in a medical education program, and this book has been my survival guide! It's an interesting read, evidence-based, and practical. Essential for anyone involved in medical education!

As director of a large academic residency program, I have struggled, like my colleagues around the country, to comply with the ACGME's new competency standards, as neither my department nor my institution has the resources or timetable to develop a comprehensive program to adequately teach and evaluate the new core competencies. Rider and her colleagues have superbly addressed this widespread institutional and program gap between the new ACGME requirements and lack of resources by crafting a comprehensive, practical guide that provides the theory, "how to", and numerous tools and assessment forms necessary to teach, assess, and document the ACGME competencies. Indeed, educators and administrators in all areas of medical education-- from undergraduate clinical rotations to fellowships and CME programs-- will find this resource guide invaluable for program development as well as for program, faculty and trainee assessment. Highly recommended.

The faculty here love this book. So much so that we actually give it away to other faculty members every few months.

Teaching in Your Office is a WONDERFUL, must-have resource for all community-based preceptors. It's content is rich, yet focused and easy to read and use. Appendix A is especially helpful for busy practioners with its quick tips and useful checklists.

The General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (a statewide mentorship program for medical students in Texas) is providing all 350 of its preceptors with a free copy of this book. We are confident that this book will provide our preceptors with tips on becoming even more effective preceptors to our medical students.

If you are a preceptor or an institution that coordinates mentorship programs for medical students, this is a must-have book for you!