Whether you are first starting out or have become a seasoned veteran in your clinical education, as you make your way through rotations, you have likely encountered the formidable number of resources available. Used in tandem with your didactic knowledge and clinical experiences, these clinical resources can help you to further your clinical decision-making skills and stay in the loop about medical advancements pertinent to your practice. The following is a brief, curated collection of tools I found helpful during my rotations.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a fantastic way to not only refresh your knowledge and clinical thinking skills but also to stay informed about the latest research, policy updates, and guidance in the medical field. For those of you who prefer to listen to your books instead of reading them, these recordings offer a treasure trove of key information, tips, and clinical pearls from experienced physicians in their respective fields. From The Curbsiders Internal Medicine to Procedure Ready: ObGyn, there are a multitude of options available for your morning commute or evening workout.
How to Access: Find them wherever you get your podcasts! Often found on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Your Medical School Library
From databases to online access to books such as Surgical Recall, your medical school library likely hosts a plethora of services you can use to build on and test your medical education. Many libraries offer access to textbooks and manuals that would otherwise be locked behind insurmountable paywalls or subscription-based access. We encourage you to explore this invaluable resource for all your research and clinical needs.
How to Access: Take a trip to the library in person, visit the website, or reach out to your friendly medical librarians for more information and support!
Visual Dx
Visual Dx offers support in the form of a clinical decision-making aid that reaches beyond its vast visual atlas. Starting with a problem area or focused search, this program helps facilitate the development of a differential diagnosis customized to each patient. Its collection of clinical images and diagnostic pearls allows you to confirm your assessment visually and offers support in determining the next best steps diagnostically.
How to Access: Check with your institution for access, as your subscription may be sponsored by your school. Visit visualdx.com for more information about pricing.
Open Evidence
With the ever-growing prevalence of artificial intelligence within all aspects of our lives, it is no surprise that it has reached the healthcare space as well. Having established content agreements with reputable, peer-reviewed sources such as the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, OpenEvidence is a fully HIPAA-compliant AI copilot designed to aid physicians in their medical decision-making. It is particularly helpful in finding the most up-to-date articles and guidance to further inform your clinical thought processes.
How to Access: Free of charge; visit openevidence.com and make an account to start.
UpToDate
This reference provides evidence-based recommendations to help support clinical decision making in your daily practice. Articles often include clear and succinct tables, algorithms, and images alongside thorough breakdowns of topics that are regularly updated for your reference. UpToDate also comes in both a website and mobile app for easy access when you need a quick refresher on the go!
How to Access: You may already have access sponsored by your institution--check there first. Visit uptodate.com for more information about pricing.
MD Calc
This online resource grants easy access to hundreds of medical calculation tools, all in one place. From the recently updated PREVENT score from the AHA/ACC to the STOP-BANG score for risk assessment of obstructive sleep apnea, MDCalc has a host of highly relevant scoring systems and algorithms essential for clinical practice.
How to Access: Visit mdcalc.com or download the mobile app.
As you complete your clinical rotations, take some time to explore your options and find what works best for you! The list above is by no means exhaustive, but I hope that it provides a starting point for you as you strengthen the connections between your didactic and clinical experiences. Good luck!
