Prescriptions from the Bad Doctor

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy/Belated Christmas (and early one for the Ukrainian Xmas people out there [and others])

Prescriptions from the Bad Doctor is run by The Bad Doctor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now, Bad Doctor may have a cool picture, but unfortunately ladies, he's married...but don't dispair, the blog is still well worth it. Bad Doctor writes posts about Ethics Classes, poem included, as well as personal experiences about Dayquil et al.

One post really caught my attention and I cannot describe it as I have yet to experience it, but maybe the following may help convey my thoughts on the post. An Unwilling Consult:

To him, at that one moment, I was an insider source on the secrets of human life and death, and my juvenile opinion held the weight of the world. I can say with all honesty that I did not relish that position, and do not look forward to facing it again in the future.

Angry Medic

The Angry Medic is a blog based in Cambridge. It's worth checking out even if you're only into looking at pictures, the header is pretty cool. Angry Medic has a variety of posts, most of which are funny and poke medicine in that special way (that makes you giggle :) ). Angry Medic displays his dismay for lack of theme music when one enters a ward in their white coat among many other interesting posts.

I keep trying to convince others that we Med Skule students do indeed have lives. I link to posts full of supposedly real facts of people doing things, but we finally have (or had some) hard proof of this theory. Angry Medic reveals and provide(d)s tangible evidence of this. Kudos to him!

And of course there are the classical posts about a med student's journey through med school. I have to put down the whole title because I like it so much. Good Nursie! Here, Have a Biscuit.

Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes

Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes almost instantly reminded me of a post by another blogger, one of the first that was linked from here actually, and his post where he explains about the Respect Line and a white coat should majestically flow beyond this line if a med student (or doctor) wants respect from his/her patients. But that's another blog.

Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes is written by Calavera in London, UK. Calavera writes about her adventures in med school, such as when she Chinwagged with the Hotshots of the Emergency Medicine world at the CEM or the Dumb Things She's Done Today. And some posts are just so full of thrill and suspense that you can barely stay in your seat because that's how bad you want to study medicine.

And of course, it's not all about medicine. The underground in London also has it's spotlight on Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Anatomy Notes

Anatomy Notes is by Brad Wright from Salt Lake City, Utah in the United States. Before Brad converted to a Medical Student he lectures at the University of Utah School of Medicine. More specifically he taught anatomy to med students. (now here's a lesson to be learned, you stick around long enough with someone and you're bound to turn into them. This goes for all you future psychiatrists... ;) ).

Brad makes it fun and interesting to read about a first year student in medicine. His posts are simple and to the point, yet are written in such a way that they truly get your attention span. If you're not in med school (or if you are and would like to be reminded of those fun first-year times) than Anatomy Notes is a wonderful read. Posts of note: Beer Bellies and Lives, Brain Myths and Facts, Duodenal Design Flaws, and Nipples (now that sounds interesting, doesn't it?)...

There are many more, but the only way to find out is first hand.

The Underwear Drawer

The Underwear Drawer is a blog by Michelle who seems to have an infatuation with...ummm...underwear ;) (but I'll let you find out the real reason, it's on the blog, just gotta look for it)

Michelle is currently in first year of residency training in Anesthesiology after switching from two years of Pediatrics. Don't look at this the wrong way, she still loves kids.

An interesting thing is Michelle's comic, Scut Monkey. Med Students and residents have barely enough time to eat, much less to keep an up-to-date blog. But this one has out-done most, a comic stip for crying out loud! Awesome.

Michelle is quite normal inspite of all the above. Currently she's picking a Christmas Tree and "Mommy Blogging" lately which re-affirms my belief that there is hope for a normal life after med skule :)

Traumaroom

A while ago I posted Traumaroom up but never really gave it a review. So I'm going back and fixing old mistakes as it does deserve an introduction here.

Traumaroom is "a rookie doc's rants and raves" by Samip Dattani, a doctor is who a surgical intern. It has quite the repertoir of interesting tidbits, such as a very simple way to decide on specialization and a post on Friends and Foes. However, the blog isn't only about fun, games, and laughs, there are posts that draw attention to issues revolving around medicine such as You Think Med School is Tough, Eh! and concerns about Dynamic Medicine.

The Rejected

Have you ever kissed someone with bad breath or felt like puking after speaking to someone with bad breath? Have you ever had a buddy complain about his date which had bad breath? Do you know what Halitosis is? Fear not, The Rejected has just the post for you! Read all about it in Hygiene Issues :) (I love it when medicine and day-to-day matters are combined!)

The Rejected has a plethora (I can't remember if I used that word yet in one of my blog descriptions) of funny and intriguing posts by a 23 yr old guy from Australia. He will be starting residency in surgery in 2008 but in the mean time is exploring his writing skillz.

McMumbi McBlog

McMumbi McBlog is written by Rob, the President of his 2008 graduating class. Rob in currently in third year studying in the States although he has ties to Zambia, (how cool is that? :) ). Rob tells us of is first days in Capetown and the journey there. Rob also describes how the Casualty room looks and the medical situation in general.

In the end he hopes to do Infectious Diseases work in Zambia, a truly noble goal. Inspite of all the suffering and poverty Rob has passion and inspiration to reach out to these people, not being swayed by the problems but driven by the solution. A worthwhile blog to check out.

In case of problems, Rob has a mirror site at Blogspot, http://mcmumbidom.blogspot.com/.

Student-o-Medicine

A man-o'-war is an armed naval vessel. Student-o-Medicine is ever so appropriately named, an armed medical student. Armed with what you may ask? With great little tidbits of information, such as Why Watching Family Guy is beneficial to Med Students. (I knew it, I just knew it! Now I have proof!).

A good post to read for the non-med students is the Medical School is Hard post. Contrary to popular belief, it is .... Oh I'll just let you find out by yourself ;)

On a side note, it snowed here in Białystok, Poland. It's 10:30 am.

Why am I still here?

Why am I still here? is a blog by Jenn who is based in Texas. Jenn was just excepted into...Grand Rounds! Yaah!

Jenn writes about a plethora of subjects ranging from hangovers (Oh yes, hangovers) to medical issues like why men want to see female urologists. The blog also contains posts that have zing and spice à la House except with words that Dr. House wishes he could say on FOX. I especially like It's a Bad Idea.

Xiphisternum

Xiphisternum is a blog by Siruhan, a Medical Student in Pondicherry, India. The blog is a nice and simple yet effective collection of posts on interesting and current matters in Medicine. There are short tidbits on items such as a 92 retiree returning to medicine and findings that children's brains may already be be developed from birth. It's clear, concise, and a relaxing read from hard core Med books.

Nurse to Doctor

I love Gray's Anatomy, especially the episode when the Doctors think they're better than the Nurses but then the Nurses go on strike and then the s**t hits the fan for the Doctors and they realized they're not so big after all...anyway, I'm rambling.

I think Nurse to Doctor is a pretty cool addition in my 2 - 0 streak of "changing profession blogs." Anna Gregory's words say everything that you would need to know to get hooked on this blog:

I am presently a specialist nurse practitioner in Occupational health. After ten years of nursing, I am off to do medicine on a Graduate entry programme (GEP) I am going to use this blog to describe my experiences of changing career at the grand old age of 32!

Posts of note that I really enjoyed on this blog:
Doing Medicine as an Oldie
We Used to have a Doctor, but now the nurse IS the Doctor

Beach Anatomy

In between hard-wood flooring, roofing, dry walling, and 'demolition hammering', I've found a minute to put up another blog that deserves some attention...

Beach Anatomy is both "Delicious and Nutritious." ;) It is (about) the life of Patrick who not too long ago started Med School. Patrick is going through a career change from emergency nursing technician to physician. Patrick is really liking his experience so far, especially learning about facial nerves and the such (I don't remember my facial nerve diagrams being so...complicated). Lately I've been really interested in people's beginnings in medicine and this is a fine example of someone who's not gone through the usual highschool --> University --> Med School route.

Try Not To Kill Yourself This Year

When I was deciding where I would do my summer hospital practice my then girlfriend, now fiancée, suggested I do it at an adult hospital. Not in the children's one. She explained that since I will be a "newbie" at everything I will do and most things will probably cause discomfort for the patient while I learn to do them, I should practice on adults as it will be easier for me. She said I wouldn't have to watch as how children cry and squirm in pain as I insert an IV drip, such as Garbage had to do. She also suggested that my first views of hospital practice shouldn't be filled with sick, innocent children.

Garbage's blog, Try Not To Kill Yourself This Year, is a blog that makes you think and realize that a medical professional not only has the feeling of joy when he or she heals, but must also take a share in the sadness of when all that is left is hope and prayer.

Running with Scissors

First off, as I just entered in three different blogs, be sure to check the last three posts for some quality reading. And now on to the blogs:

Miette, a Medical Students has a blog over at Running with Scissors where she writes about pretty much everything as well as Med School. She has this super long post which is a delightful read and truly shows that med students are normal creatures.

This blog is a nice relaxing and interesting read where it's not all hard core philosophy or school stuff. There even pictures of nice places. Join Miette as she posts about Rx Wars and (Manic) Depression.

Rookie Surgeon in the City

Rookie Surgeon in the City is a blog by a, well, rookie surgeon. Have you ever wondered what the first days of being a surgeon are like? Everyone knows how it is: Med school students work their butts off to finish med school and the seasoned vets/doctors make oodles of money. But what about that new doctor? What happens after med school? Is it all porsche cars, fine cigars, and women (not necessarily in that order)?

Check it out, especially the malpractice insurance post.

That Med School Guy

Jason is That Medical School Guy. Based in Toronto. Jason survived, (yes, survived) his first day of medical school orientation and has even made it to around days 5 and 6. Jason writes with awesome quality and fervour (notive the 'ou' spelling version) and mixes it up with long and short posts.

This is what I once dreamed of, Medical School in Toronto. Although I took the European path, U of T will always have a special place in my heart. Hopefully Jason continues his newfound blog (and career path) so that we can see how it is in Toronto through the eyes of a Medical Student.

Vitum Medicinus

On May 15, 2006 Vitum recieved an envelope. An envelope with a letter. The letter that Medical School Applicants dread because its contents can have drastic effects.

Somewhere in Vitum's letter was the word accepted.

Vitum is one of many people who have geared their life towards medicine and are truly called to it. 

As I write this, there are only 2 posts in Vitum's blog but from the two posts that I've read I can see hope and determination. Excitement and motivation. For people wanting to see how it is from the beginning through the eyes of a Canadian (cuz we rock) med student, I really suggest keeping a close eye on this blog. It may prove to be very interesting.

p.s.
I'm going to murder the people at blogger because this wysiwyg editor is really starting to piss me off.

An Update

It's been a while since any blogs were posted here so I thought I'd put in a few. Unfortunately I don't have too too much time to be describing every single blog that comes my way but I'll post from time to time to show that stuff happens around here.

For now I added the following Blogs:

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor <-- Conservative opinions and etc.
Top of My Head <-- Thoughts and Stuff
The Underwear Drawer <-- Personal Life

The Examining Room of Dr. Charles

"...is a young physician's attempt to say something pithy." The Examining Room tries to capture a bit of the intersection between medicine and the human condition. It is the combination of a family doctor who likes to write.

Just like our previous blog entry, Dr. Charles has also published a book, Legends of the Examining Room. I like the style of this author. The Mark of Cain is a post that really stands out and is something I bookmarked and sent out to a few friends. You don't see this kind of quality very often.

You may have noticed that some of the above links lead to two different looking websites. The Examining Room of Dr. Charles has it's current home here. The old blog on blogspot is still intact with commentary and posts. Both spots are great resources for good reads.

And of course, there is humour, which essentially for success not only in medicine, but also in blogging as we can see from his disclaimer.

And finally, the ONLY MEDICAL ADVICE I PROVIDE ON THIS SITE IS TO CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. Okay, okay...don't smoke, pass gas/burp/sneeze/cough simultaneously, or eat wood bark. There you go.

Sidney Schwab

Sidney is now a retired surgeon who was in the USAF medical corps and spent a year in Vietnam (and was awarded the Purple Heart). He grew up and practiced surgery in the Pacific Northwest, having gone to college and med school on the East Coast. He was included in a national listing of "top doctors" and has many other accomplishments in his field. He's also got a book out, Cutting Remarks, for the non-surgical people to help understand what it is like to be and become a surgeon.

There are two kinds of people: those that are pre-op and those that are post-op...

I might just have to see for myself what this book has to say.

The Foramen of KK

Our newest addition is The Foramen of KK (I must say, this name is pretty cool. Maybe I should mine to something like "The Tuberosity of So and So"). This is KK's first ever blog and it got off to a very nice start, meaning it has good quality posting and writing from the very beginning.

I'd love to make a nice summary of the page but I think that the little description on the right side on KK's blog speaks for itself. If it's not enough to get you interested...I don't know what is.

No real patients were harmed in the making of this blog. As laughter is the best medicine, the witty anecdotes contained herein may even help you avoid that 3rd heart attack. If, however, you feel that my (lack of) humour is in poor taste and is infact likely to induce that heart attack rather than prevent it, then you should accept my deepest and heartfelt apologies for causing offense. Then insert your head deep into your highly-strung, over-opinionated and worryingly distended rectum & go read the Disney website or something more suitable. Oh...and kids probably shouldn't read this. Just incase. Someone - please think of the children.

Man, that brightened up my day, had to wake up at 5 for hospital duty. I really recommend this this.

Undisclosed Location/ 2 Terms Later

Two blogs in this post. Getting cocky :)

Undisclosed location is a first-year medical resident and a wannabe renaissance man. Wants to see how he was before he became a physician once he becomes a physician by checking back to his blog. An interesting idea, something that never occured to me to do. There's lots of other stuff in here, not just first year medical mumbo-jumbo. Just recently met that someone special.

Two (presidential) Terms Later is a blogger in Columbus, Ohio (States) who has a neat description. "I am blogging an amateur sport." That so fits cut-throat medical student. Lots of commentary on ethics, medicine, politics, and sports - plus assorted ramblings - from Aaron Kithcart, a third-year MD/PhD student at The Ohio State University. Must be interesting to be making a double doctor program.

World Wide Wu

To break off with the line of poorly-updated blogs (really just the last 2, but they are good reads), I found this blog, World Wide Wu. From what I can muster from the posts and the pictures, it looks like a blog by a female medical school graduate who just came out of 'the institution' and is now an MD.

I hope this blog will be a nice read about the transition from student to professional, one to keep an eye one.

DocAmazing

Since recently I added a blog with an older post I thought I'd go down this lane again and add a blog that is a bit older but none-the-less cool and funny (with lot's of comics). DocAMAZING is a Texas-based, 3rd year medical students. He hasn't posted anything in a while but his previous posts are funny and full of comics which really makes it go easy on the eyes and keeps an attention span of 10 seconds or less interested.

Vertical Mattress

A 29 year old medical student and writer, Vertical Mattress (which is an interesting name) sports "Surgery for Dummies" in the sub-banner area. Also a hard-core football fan (who is quite happy the Steelers won the metal bowl), Noah Raizman, if that's his real name, has a lot, (and I mean a lot) of interests in his 'profile page.'

Lately I'm stumbling across medical students who seem to be having real lives of their own with interesting posts and whatnot :) Hopefully a new post will be put in sometime soon as the latest one is about a month or so old.

Doc Around the Clock

Doc Around the Clock is "a married physician in a medium volume Emergency Department somewhere in the Midwest."

It's a compilation of mostly medical news and opinions, with a sprinkle of politics, humour, and miscellaneous tidbits.

I really enjoyed the interrogation of a pacemaker post. For a married physician this person's got a "strange and deranged mind" :)

Script

Hey, welcome to a new month (June in case you were wondering).

To start the month off I'd like to point your attention to Script, a 4th year medical student in New York (US of A) who's working in a hospital, also in New York (Duh?). Script is interesting, especially the Pepto-Bismol drink he's got going on. Mix with vodka and you've got a (great?) party drink. See site for details. An infatuation with the Seahawks and the superbowl, Script seems to have some sort of life outside medicine...

Doctor (Squared)

Interesting blog name. Has a thing a thing about Grey's Anatomy. (I would pick Meredith over Izzie too. There's just something about her...) An interesting life with lots of driving and near death experience at 449th mile out of 450 miles.

Doctor (Squared) also has a Virtual Pet on her site. Something I've never seen before. Cute

Ghost World

She (almost) a 4th-year medical student. She like coffee, when people leave her comments, and sleeping 9 hours at a time. She dislike most dogs, watching surgeries, and cold weather. That about covers it, or so it says on her page. Sarah from Ghost World just recently got married. There are interesting points and you can almost relive what she's thinking and going through and it's not think-breath-sleep medicine like some med students.

I guess by the end of 4th year they put you on anti-student pills so the world isn't shocked with what they've done with you once you come out.

DB's Medical Rants

DB's Medical Rants is a collection of rants and philosophical articles on Medicine. Started blogging way back and took inspiration from Medpundit (Which just recently retired (hopefully temporarily) from medical blogging due to time constaints.

An interesting and informative blog and not so comical as the previous one. I encourage for people to spend a minute or two in there.

Ah Yes, Medical School

Every now and then I drop by Ah Yes, Medical school for an interesting read about a Jewish medical student who is constantly on the lookout for attractive Jewish girls (Click link if interested).

He seems to hate anesthesiology and is currently refraining from going mad (although most would probably consider him already lost to the sea of craziness) while doing time at a psych clinic or something like that.

He also took a shot at Grey's Anatomy, a show I like must none-the-less agree that it might be a little too unreal.

Mexico Medstudent

It's been a while since anything happened here. Way too long. Don't know why, I have no excuses. Exams are in 9 or so days here in Białystok but that won't deter me from my ever so humble goal of mainting this blog.

So here's the latest entry in a long time. Mexico Medical Student from all the way in Mexico. Currently in the process of shopping for stuff for a baby, has interesting opinions and posts about...ummm...stuff. I'm sure you'll find it interesting. Give it a lookin'

Sales Pitch for Bialystok

A recent comment asked me to help a person decide between Bialystok and Szczecin Medical Universities.

In my mind, there's ultimately no difference but here are my points for choosing Bialystok:
1. It's in the "Green Lungs of Poland." Very nice surroundings and the climate isn't so close to the Baltic. Nicer.
2. We have newly renovated anatomy, chemistry, and pathology department. (Pathology is like walking into Narnia. Everything is brand-spanking new. There are costant revovations being done.
3. Our level of education is high. The English curriculum is based exactly on the Polish one. 97.3% of our Polish graduates passed the National Polish Medical Exam (LEP).
4. Last year three of our English students achieved high awards in the Golden Scapula Anatomical contest in Warsaw. Link Here.
5. We have an active student body. We're currently organizing a soccer tournament with other Medical Universities in Poland (English divisions)
6. Bialystok Medical University also gets a lot of EU funding due to our location and medical activity in the professional world.
7. We have our own hospital.
8. Our tuition is 9,500 Euro for first year and 8,500 Euro for succeeding years. Cheaper than Szczecin.
9. I'm here, who wouldn't want to study with me? :)

But essentially it falls down to your choice. There is no doubt that Szczecin is also probably a very good medical university and that their education is adequate. You'll become a doctor here and there and you'll be treating patients (hopefully) with the same amount of respect, dignity, and professionalism no matter where you graduate from.

But I for one would not transfer for any reason. I love it here.
Our Student's site (which I made :) ) www.ambenglish.com

An NHS Blog

Although not a "Doctor Blog" nor a Medical Student, I still felt it necessary to include Tom Reynold's (a pseudonym obviously) Blog to our list.

His blog tells the tale of an EMS worker (paramedic) and the day to day struggle with good, bad, and the just plain wierd. Tom is putting out a book which will hopefully soon be published. I myself check this blog every other day, a definite read.

Random Acts of Reality

Another Polish (Norwegian) Med Stud.

Espen is a Norwegian studying with me in Poland. A young aspiring doctor who just had his birthday, Espen was having a lot of problmes with his scanner which forced him to say Polish people are wierd.

Well...Norwegian people are the truly wierd ones :)

Check it out.

The Competetive Nature

Alice was kind enough to send over a link to her blog about residency positions and how many of each are left.

Almost a doctor, Alice is in her third year who I think is contemplating surgery or ob/gyn. (a very very hard choice to make :) )

Clinically Insane

A wacky, interesting, yet undoubtly (insert cool word here) blog by Kim, a first year medical student at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, WV.

I post on study breaks, so that I don't go insane. Insaaaaaaaane!

Although there may be a disclaimer against this, she probably is diagnosed as clinically insane :)

Check it out!

OrthoDoc

I'd like to direct your attention to OrthoDoc, an orthopedic surgeon from New Delhi (with really really awesome pictures on his blog, must see!). OrthoDoc is a new blog but is looking to be very promising...

Grand Rounds

Scoot over to the link under the category of Grand Rounds.

It's a weekly roundup of medical posts that a general audience can check out. They try to get a general audience introduced to the medical world or atleast to medical professions and related topics.

Highly recommended.

Lieutenant Doctor

Check out Neils Olsen's blog,

http://nielsolson.us/Haversian/

An interesting ploy of a lieutenant-gone-doctor who, according to the Medical Specialty Aptitude Test, is most likely to succeed in gynecology :)

I've decided that it would be easier if the two categories be combined. Meaning having all links under one title but distinguish medical students by the letter (S).

Note to self: Chili takes priority over posting. I burned it while writing this entry :)