Samir Desai and Rajani Katta have done a fine job with their "Biggest Mistakes" series, and the latest iteration in the series is no exception. One of the most stressful times in a medical student's career is the beginning of the clinical clerkships and the 3rd year rotations. Too often, students are lost when it comes to knowing things like team structures, ward round structures, rotation information, and the day to day functions of a ward team. After learning all these things mid-way thru the 3rd year, students realize that they not only must survive the rotation, but also shine while learning the ropes.

250 Biggest Mistakes 3rd Year Medical Students Make and How to Avoid Them really helps to give an overview of not only how a day typically goes on the wards, but really how you can make yourself stand out as a superiour student, one who is attentive, thoughtful, and a true team player.

There are 11 Sections to the book including: Evaluations, Patients, Start of a Rotation, On Call, Presenting Newly Admitted Patients, Write-Ups, Talks, Outpatient Setting, Attending Rounds, Residents and Interns, and Written Exams. This is enough to get you started!

A few mistakes include things like "Remaining unfamiliar with the goals and objectives of a rotation." It's pretty hard to stand out from the crowd if you really don't know what you are expected to do! In the patient care section "Referring to your patient as a disease". How many times have we asked "How is the Liver Guy doing?" "Is the brain lady getting d/c'd today?" It's not only bad etiquitte, it can get you into hot water and embarassing situations with patients, families, staff and attendings. For the on call section "Not being visible or easily accessible." Interns and residents are BUSY. They will not work too hard to find you to point out an interesting physical exam or to find you to help out in a cool procedure. If you're not readily available, you'll be forgotten, both on call, and when it is time to write evaluations.

These are a small sampling of the Mistakes presented in the text. There are a few obvious ones like "Forgetting to care about your patients", but overall the book is well done with most "Mistakes" being quite useful. There are also some interesting "Did you Know" and Tips scattered throughout the book as well as a few quoted studies.

Many students are so consumed with reading about diseases and performing a physical exam, they often forget the intangible qualities that make a strong 3rd year student (or at least a strong one as perceived by their peers and the ward team). This is a very small investment in your medical education, so there really is no reason to not get this book! We can all learn something from this book. Clinical clerkships are stressful enough, so this little Cliff Notes will help you get prepared.