ABSITE REVIEW

UCSF Student Mentoring Website

A search engine for medical students

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Our guide for  high school students is in its infancy, but we’re working on it. You can start with an article with UC application tips, and a general article on how to become a medical student, which includes a small section for high school students. Also, check out our “life as a doctor” and “life as a surgeon” articles/videos.

PREMEDICAL STUDENTS
Our guide for premedical students (including premedical topics ) is slowly coming along.  So far, we have articles on calculating your Science GPA and understanding the significance of your Science GPA, and a very short overview on how to become a medical student .   Stay tuned for more helpful (and specific) information.

THE MCAT
For premedical students, we also have articles/videos on how to study for the MCAT,  how to study for the verbal reasoning section,  how to study for the physical sciences section, how to study for the writing section ,  how to maximize your performance on the MCAT test day, decompress after taking the MCAT,

TIPS FOR APPLYING TO THE UCSF SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Before you apply to the UCSF School of Medicine, there are a few things you should know

SCHOLARSHIPS
So far, we have information about scholarships for Latino medical students. We haven’t forgotten about you. Stay tuned..

MEDICAL STUDENTS
UCSF medical students learn a set of core medical topics in the first two years. The years are broken down into blocks. The blocks are:

• Prologue: an introduction to essential anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, histopathology, genetics, and social and behavioral sciences, all linked together as a foundation for patient care

• Metabolism & Nutrition (M & N): an investigation of the gastrointestinal system, endocrinology, and metabolic issues, with additional emphasis on prevention of disorders in these areas and on counseling for nutritional health.

• Brain, Mind & Behavior (BMB): a comprehensive overview of general principles in neuroscience, neurology, and psychiatry. the first year of medical at UCSF, students take courses in core medical subjects. We have an article on how to do well during the  BMB (Brain Mind & Behavior) block, which is run by the amazing and beloved Dr. Daniel Lowenstein.

• Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (I-3) : the first block of the second-year, covering microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease as well as public and international health issues.

• Mechanisms, Methods & Malignancies (M-3): an integrated and innovative look at human cancer, with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development and treatment; epidemiology; pathology; genetics; clinical oncology; hematology; social and behavioral sciences and ethics.

• Life Cycle/Epilogue: a study of the human developmental sequence, considering special topics in childhood and adolescent medicine, men’s and women’s health, and aging.

PHYSICAL EXAM SKILLS
During the first two years, you will also develop your physical exam skills. You will learn:
- Physical exam of the mouth and pharynx
- Stay tuned for more!

ALPHABETIZED CORE MEDICAL TOPICS (In progress!)

MEDICAL TOPICS FOR THE USMLE AND ABSITE

ANESTHESIA

• Bag mask ventilation , Oropharyngeal airway , Nasopharyngeal airway , jaw thrust maneuver , Head tilt chin lift technique , suctioning the airways, Combitube, Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA),
• ABSITE: Anesthesia topics on the Absite

ANTIBIOTICS

• ABSITE: Antibiotics topics on the Absite

CELL BIOLOGY:

• ABSITE: Cell biology topics on the Absite

Biochemistry:

CRITICAL CARE:

• ABSITE: Critical care topics on the Absite

FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES:

• ABSITE: Electrolyte and Fluid topics on the Absite

ENDOCRINOLOGY

• ADRENAL GLAND: Learn about addison’s disease,
• PANCREAS: Whipple Procedure
• PARATHYROID GLAND:
• PITUITARY GLAND:
• THYROID GLAND:
• USMLE: Endocrinology topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Endocrinology topics on the Absite

GASTROINTESTINAL

• GENERAL CONCEPTS
  • GASTROINTESTINAL HORMONES:
  • Gastrointestinal arteries and veins: Learn about the abdominal arteries .
  • Abdominal Radiology: Learn about the abdominal CT scan and abdominal ultrasound.
• ANORECTAL:
• BILIARY SYSTEM:  acalculous cholecystitis,
• COLON / LARGE INTESTINES
• ESOPHAGUS:  achalasia,
• HERNIAS: Inguinal anatomy, inguinal ligament, inguinal hernias, direct inguinal hernias, indirect inguinal hernias ,
• LIVER:
• NUTRITION:
• SMALL INTESTINES:  small bowel adhesions, adhesions,
• SPLEEN:
• STOMACH:
• USMLE: Gastrointestinal topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Nutrition and Gastrointestinal topics on the Absite

Genetics: You will study this in Prologue of your first year.

HEAD AND NECK:

• ABSITE: Head and neck topics on the Absite

HEMATOLOGY AND BLOOD PRODUCTS:

• USMLE: Hematology topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Blood products and Hematology topics on the Absite.

Histology:

IMMUNOLOGY, INFLAMMATION AND CYTOKINES:

• USMLE: Immunology topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Immunology topics on the Absite

INFECTIOUS DISEASES:

• ABSITE: Infectious diseases topics on the Absite

NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY:

• Epidural hematoma
• Subdural hematoma
• USMLE: Neurology on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Neurology and neurosurgery topics on the Absite

OBGYN:

• BREAST
• GYNECOLOGY
• USMLE: OBGYN topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: OBGYN topics on the Absite

ORTHOPAEDICS:

• Pelvis: Learn about the acetabulum ,
• USMLE: Musculoskeletal system on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Orthopedic surgery topics on the Absite

PEDIATRICS AND PEDIATRIC SURGERY:

• USMLE: Pediatrics topics on USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Pediatric surgery topics on the Absite

PHARMACOLOGY:

• USMLE: Pharmacology topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Pharmacology topics on the Absite

PLASTICS, SKIN, AND SOFT TISSUES:

• USMLE: Dermatology topics for USMLE Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Plastic surgery, skin, and soft tissues topics on the Absite

Psychiatry:

• USMLE: Psychiatry topics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3

PULMONARY AND THORACIC SURGERY:

• Learn about acute respiratory distress syndrome, sarcoidosis,
• Lung Anatomy: Chest cross section at T7,  T6; pulmonary arteries and veins,
• Lung Radiology:
  • Chest x-ray interpretation videos
  • Chest X-ray and Chest CT Lung Pathology
    • Chest x-ray learning module
    • Chest CT
    • Surface anatomy of chest x-ray PA film
    • Surface landmarks of chest x-ray
    • Air bronchogram
  • • pulmonary embolism, (and deep vein thrombosis)
    • pancoast tumors
    • solitary lung nodule
    • Chest trauma
      • hemothorax
      • Rib fractures
      • flail chest
      • Sternoclavicular fractures and dislocations
      • Widening of the mediastinum on chest x-ray
      • pneumothorax, pneumothorax 2
• USMLE: Pulmonary topics on USMLE Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3.
• ABSITE: Pulmonary and thoracic surgery topics on the Absite

RENAL AND KIDNEYS:

• Learn about acute renal failure
• USMLE: Renal topics on Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Renal topics on the Absite

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY:

• ABSITE: Surgical oncology on the Absite

STATISTICS:

• USMLE: Statistics on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Statistics on the Absite

SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

• Vascular anastomosis ,

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY:

• Surgical staplers including GIA, EEA, LDS, and TA staplers , endo stitch , endo clip , endo catch
• Laparoscopic suturing
• Surgical instruments including forceps, scissors, etc
• Suture needles ,
• ABSITE: Surgical technology on the Absite

THORACIC:

• You will learn about this in Major Organs block.  Learn the anatomy of the thoracic cavity by reviewing the 1st rib, 2nd rib, 3rd rib,  12th rib . Check out the intercostal spaces, including the  3rd intercostal space, 5th intercostal space. Learn about surgeries such as a pneumonectomy,

TRAUMA:

• ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support
  • Initial Assessment and Management of Trauma Patient
• ABSITE: Trauma on the Absite

TRANSPLANTATION:

• ABSITE :Transplantation on the Absite

UROLOGY:

• USMLE: Urology/Male reproductive system on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
• ABSITE: Urology on the Absite

VASCULAR :

• Learn about the abdominal aorta,  abdominal aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound,
• ABSITE: Vascular surgery topics on the Absite

WOUND HEALING:

• ABSITE: Wound healing on the Absite

PHYSICIANSHIP, ETHICS, WARDS, CLINICAL ROTATIONS, INTERNSHIP, AND RESIDENCY TOPICS

• Social and Behavioral Sciences:
• USMLE:
  • Informed consent on USMLE Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
  • Hospital systems on Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3
  • Death and dying topics for USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3
  • Physician patient relationship for Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3

USMLE STEP 1
Try our link to free USMLE Step 1 multiple choice questions on WebPath.  Also review when UCSF medical students typically start studying for Step 1.

THIRD YEAR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL AND CLINICAL ROTATIONS

GENERAL ADVICE
Find out how to get honors on your clinical rotations, get general advice for third year medical students, and “clinical clerkships: what every medical student needs to know.”  Also, find out about the powerful resource, Medfools. Remember, when the experience of medical school becomes too painful, you just have to stop and laugh at it all.

OBGYN ROTATION (coming soon!)
NEUROLOGY ROTATION (coming soon!)
PSYCHIATRY ROTATION (coming soon!)
INTERNAL MEDICINE ROTATION (coming soon!)
FAMILY MEDICINE ROTATION (coming soon!)
PEDIATRICS ROTATION (coming soon!)

GENERAL SURGERY ROTATION
Welcome to the general surgery rotation. Before you start, you want to practice how to put on surgical gloves, put on surgical a gown, put on a surgical mask, and learn how to instrument tie a suture.

Learn how to suture.  We have videos on: the subcuticular suture, vertical mattress suture, corner stitch suture, simple interrupted suture, and  deep suture tie.

The culture of surgery is unique. Students learn when and when not to eat on their rotation, how to behave, and what is expected of them in the OR.

FOURTH YEAR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL , 4TH YEAR ELECTIVES, RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS, MATCH DAY AND THE SCRAMBLE
As a 4th year student you will need to choose 4th year electives.  We’ve also included advice for your internal medicine sub-internship.

We have articles on the advice and tips on the ERAS application.

Online sample personal statements can be found for theses fields: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Community Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Surgery.

After applying for residency program, interviewing, and submitting your rank list, you will find out on Match Day where you will spend the next couple of years in residency. Other students are not so fortunate, will have to scramble into a residency spot.

Eventually, you will graduate! Get inspired now with videos of Medical school graduation ceremonies and speeches: The captured moments .

APPLYING TO A GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY
Some program actually like to pimp interviewing residents, but that’s rare.  We have articles on how to interview for a general surgery residency, and  how to choose a general surgery residency.

PROCEDURES .
- catheters .
- chest tube insertion

- central line insertion .
- ECMO .
- foley catheter insertion
- glucometer reading.
- nasogastric tube insertion
- pulmonary artery catheters
- thoracentesis

INTERNSHIP AND RESIDENCY ISSUES
After medical school, you will start residency.  The first year of residency is called internship. During internship you will need to figure out  how to work 30 hours or more a day. Some residents will also need to learn  how to manage depression during internship .

GENERAL SURGERY INTERNSHIP AND RESIDENCY
If you have decided to enter a general surgery residency, you will need to learn a few general surgery internship survival skills.

USMLE STEP 3
During internship, you will also need to study for the USMLE Step 3.

OUT OF THE BOX THINKING
Ever wanted a search engine specifically designed for medical students? Well, we’ve created just that, and have also created one to search for orthopedic surgery topics.

PERSONALITY TYPES
Life is like a box of chocolates, and medical students are diverse. You will find any personality type at UCSF, including the extraordinary ENFJ. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you. Find out about personality type and residency choice.

RESTAURANTS BY UCSF (so where’s the grub?)
If you’re at UCSF and you need a place to eat, try these restaurants, all of which have been reviewed by UCSF students in our school newspaper, Synapse.  We have links to reviews on these restaurants: bakeries,  vegetarian, steak, diners, pizza and pasta, salad and sandwich,   southern and soul food, seafood, barbeque, fusion, crepe,  French,  Polynesian, Peruvian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Korean, Italian, Egyptian, Eastern European, Caribbean , Californian,  Brazilian, Burmese,  Spanish,  African,  Mediterranean, Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Indian,and  Chinese. You can start with these…

Finally, good luck in your endeavors!

Have a question? Type it in the comments section. We’ll answer it in the form of an article and incorporate it into this page.