Need help with prep for Medic school

[gober88]

I am looking to start medic school next year. What books would any of the paramedics on this site suggest to be ready for school?

[N2DFire]

Don't mean to come across as a smart-@$$ but the first thing I would do is see what books are your required text(s) for school and start reading those books first.

Wait until you actually start school and see where your weaker area(s) are before you start buying all sorts of Prep Books & study guides. Once you identify some place you need extra help , then come back and ask and I'm sure folks will suggest some excellent books for that particular topic.

Once you're ready for test prep books - I would first look at the Self Assessment Exam that the NREMT offers.
https://www.nremt.org/EMTServices/shop.asp?shopFunction=selPurch Type&dups=cand

It comes from the same test bank as the real test, it's scored like the real test (which will help you find weak topic areas), and it's all new as the NREMT just revamped it.

Best of luck in class. Be sure to come back with other questions you may have (and you will have them).

[montet202]

If you have a basic understanding of the EMS Meds and what they are used for, as well as ECG rhythm recognition before you start you will be way ahead of the game. Also have a very good understanding of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems. Most of what you do relates to these two responses.

[croaker260]

The four steepest learning curves in medic school are:

1- Basic algebra level medical math

2- Pharmacology

3- Anatomy and Physiology

4- EKG's


If I were you, I would work on #1 and #4. These will be the easiest self study and self paced topics. If you have time and money to burn, then take a summer A&P class, but not many can do that.

For an EKG book, I cant recommend enough Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition (Paperback), by Dr. Dubin. It is the best book for beginners, especially self study ones, IMHO. It is also starts at the most basic concepts, assuming you know nothing about EKG;s. Written in easy language. Buy an EKG workbook with it for practice strips, but BUY DUBINS BOOK (AKA the orange book).
If you can get a good grip on this, you can focus on other topics and be less overwhelmed. This is not the most comprehensive book on the market...but it is in my opinion the only one you should start with until you really get a feel for EKG's. The second edition got me through paramedic school.

Here is a link on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0912912065/ref=ase_bookstorenow57-20/102-2704653-1863337?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=bookstorenow57-20

[montet202]

I agree with Croaker on his four disciplins, but wouldn't buy Dubens book as your first book for two reasons. As a beginner book I think it falls short as it has very few practice ECGs compared to Walraven's book that has hundreds. It gets into axis deviation and 12 leads that can be confusing if you don't have a good grasp of cardiology to begin with. (I personally like a book that dumbds it down a little.) In researching books for our department library I also learned that Duben is a convicted sex offender and we chose not to include his book for this reason. It is a great book and has been a staple for years and has its place, but as a first time user I would reccommend Walraven's --(I am having a brain fart and can't remmember the exact title)--I think it was Basic Arrhythmias.

Good luck.

[croaker260]

In researching books for our department library I also learned that Duben is a convicted sex offender and we chose not to include his book for this reason.
OMG! I had no idea! Where did you find this out at?

[montet202]

In a thread I started looking for suggestions on books for our library someone posted this info with a link, so if you look you wil find it. I can't remember the thread but it was in this category and started by me. Here is the link someone else on here posted, not sure if this is the same Dubin, but the rumor mill says it is. Didn't know he was a plastic surgin. Thought he would be a cardiologist.

http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/NudistHallofShame/Dubin.html

[Eng542ine]

Montet... yeah, there is A Dr Dubin that is a convict... I don't know if it is the SAME Dr Dubin... I will say this though... convict or not... the book is awesome and makes it easy to understand rather complex concepts. I'm currently a Paramedic student and admittedly I had some trouble with EKGs, especially 12-leads... the book included in our course did nothing more than compound my confusion... Dr Dubin's book cleared this up and pretty quickly at that!!

My one suggestion for you would be to download your state's Paramedic drug formulary and become very familiar with it. Also, a Basic Arrythmia class might not be a bad idea...