Eng 202c

2/11/2014






Guide for Preparing for a Career in Medicine

Written by Phill Rasnick


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Table of Contents
Introduction3
Research Resources
Databases
Gale Databases4
PubMed ..5
Journals
Nature ....6
Government Databases
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications ..7
Statistical Abstract of the United States ..........8
Preparing for Medical School
Association of American Medical Colleges ......9
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine10
The Princeton Review ......11
After College .12

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Introduction

Guide Contents
This guide provides very useful information for students who intend to pursue a career in medicine.
Through this guide, students are given great sources for conducting research and finding information in
various medical fields. Additionally, this guide provides essential information for learning about the
application process for both medical and osteopathic schools. Information is also provided on sources
which can make a student more competitive when applying to schools.

Guide Audience
This guide is intended to aid college students who are looking towards a career in medicine. This guide
will be found most useful for those who desire to become either a medical doctor or doctor of
osteopathy. Here you will find a variety of very valuable sources for research purposes and to help one
follow through with the application process and prepare for a career in medicine.

Guide Assumptions
This guide assumes that readers are college students who intend to follow through with a career in
medicine. It is also assumed that users have a basic understanding of the rigorous process involved with
applying and preparing for medical and osteopathic schools. It is additionally expected that those using
this guide have computer and internet access with sufficient knowledge in using computers.

Guide Organization
This guide is organized to help students easily find useful information pertaining to medical and
osteopathic schools. The first section of this guide is focused on providing students information on
useful databases and journals to help them find research in various topics of medicine and biological
science. This guide then moves on to providing websites useful for the application process and making a
student more competitive for a spot in medical school.

Tips for Using this Guide
This guide is intended to provide the user with valuable information in an easy to follow manner. When
using this guide, for help navigate and use the individual websites, please refer to the Tips section
included with each resource.

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Gale Databases
Online Database
Link to Website: http://find.galegroup.com/menu/start

Abstract
This is a very useful research database for accessing numerous periodicals. While this resource does
require a username and password, most students can access the database through their university.
There are several available databases accessible through Gale, however, the databases most useful to
students within biological and medical fields are the Opposing Viewpoints, Gale Virtual Reference
Library, and the Science in Context databases. Opposing viewpoints is a database targeting current issues
such as stem cell research, health care problems, genetic testing, etc. Sources for the articles includes
topic overviews, full-text magazine articles, academic journals, newspapers, and more. Both the Virtual
Reference Library and Science in Context databases enable students to obtain a large amount of
information from numerous full-text magazine articles and academic journals. The large amount of data
available for science and medical topics makes this database a very useful resource for students looking
to gain knowledge on many topics in biology and medicine and those who need resources to find
research and work on reports. .
Tips
Use the right database for the intended subject matter. Opposing Viewpoints is going to have
more opinion based sources while the other two will have more informative content.
Using the topics found on the Opposing Viewpoints and Science in Context databases makes it
much easier to find specific information
Advanced search can also help when looking for more specific data.

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PubMed
Government Database
Link to Website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

Abstract
PubMed is a database comprised of over twenty three million citations for biomedical literature from
sources including MEDLINE, scientific journals, and online books; this makes it a very useful database for
looking up information on almost any health issue or medical related topic. This is a free resource which
is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a section of the U.S. National
Library of Medicine (NLM) which is located at the National Institute of Health (NIH). Information from
this site is obtained through journal publishers who submit their citations to the NCBI which provide
access to the full articles. This database also provides additional information on health and biology
topics. Under the More Resources heading on the home page, information on various clinical trials can
be observed. Additionally, the Resources and How To tabs in the upper left corner provide further
information on biology topics. Here one can find information on various topics of genetics as well as
information on how to perform various assays for biology and medical research.
Tips
The column in the lower left, Using PubMed, provides more information on how to use the
website and search for information.
The advanced search tab allows for more detailed searches through using specific identifiers
such as author, editor, journal, issue, etc.
See if your school provides any student discount for registering for MCAT prep course.

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Nature
Scientific Journal
Link to Website: www.nature.com/nature

Abstract
Nature is one of the most reputable interdisciplinary scientific journals to date and has been published
since 1869. It is an international journal published weekly and consists of very high quality peer-
reviewed articles in all fields of science and technology.
As a top scientific journal, Nature provides a great resource for science and premedical students looking
for research information. One is easily able to search for information in the Nature journal using basic
and advanced search settings. In addition to providing an enormous sum of information on various
scientific fields, when using the advanced search settings, the Nature website enables users to access
information from other journals which could be very useful for science students looking for research
articles.
Tips
The advanced search allows for more specific searches. This allows the user to search for articles
not just by subject but also by author, volume, issue, etc.
The advanced search also enables users to find articles from within a specific time frame. This is
important for conducting research because when using resources for research and papers, it is
often required to use up-to-date articles.

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Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
Government Database
Link to Website: http://catalog.gpo.gov

Abstract
The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications is a search tool intended for finding publications from the
judicial, legislative, and executive branches of the government. This catalog is updated daily and
contains over 500,000 records of current and historical government publications. To help find
information, this catalog provides tabs for basic, advanced, and expert search criteria. Additionally, if
publications are available online, this catalog provides direct links to access the publications.
Although this source provides a wide array of information, it can be a useful tool for those intending to
enter the medical field. For example, when performing a basic search for Medical Students, one of the
records that comes up is titled, Graduate medical education: trends in training and student debt. This
record is useful to medical students because it provides information on the process of obtaining a
medical education. This record also provides information on high costs of medical education, student
debt, and ways in which the government has tried to help ease the burden of the financial stress
associated with the high costs of an education in medicine.
Tips
Use advanced and expert searches when having trouble finding specific records.
The Bookshelf tab under My Options can be used to mark specific records for later access.


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Statistical Abstract of the United States
Government Database
Link to Website: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Abstract
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a statistical summary of multiple components that make
up the social, political, and economic organization of the country. This statistical abstract is put out by
the U.S. Census Bureau, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Information can be observed
either through use of an excel file or with PDF. Here one is able to find fairly up-to-date information in
various fields and can observe changes over the long term. For many topics, information is presented
not just for the whole United States, but is also set up by region, age, and sex of individuals.
Specifically for those looking towards a medical profession, the most useful information will be found
within the Health and Nutrition section. This section presents information on food consumption,
nutritional intake, medical employment, hospitals, nursing homes, various diseases, healthcare
expenditures, health insurance, health risk factors, and government programs including Medicare and
Medicaid. For example, table 164 under the Health Care Resources subcategory provides data on the
number of physicians by sex and specialty from 1980-2009.
Tips
When searching for a specific set of data, the number indicated before the title refers to the
table number found
When looking for a specific table, click the link next to the title of table rather than searching
through the entire section document.
The Index A to Z tab and search box in the upper right corner of the webpage can be used to
help find specific information.
While this information is fairly recent, and provides a good representation of varying trends
overtime, if looking for information on the current year it may be beneficial to perform other
searches.
o The most recent information in this statistical abstract for Health and Nutrition is from
several years ago.
Information for this current abstract is from 2012 and many of the included
tables show data only up to 2010

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Association of American Medical Colleges
Website
Link to Website: https://www.aamc.org/

Abstract
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is an invaluable resource for those looking to
enter medical school and obtain a career in medicine. This organization provides many services to help
students get on track to entering medical school these can be found under the Services tab of the
home page. Here one can find a link to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). This
is a general application for medical schools which all applicants are required to fill out. Through this
website, individuals can also access information on the MCATS and register for the test. This site
provides advising information for filling out the AMCAS as well as taking the MCAT. Additionally, a
student can find information on various medical careers so that they can help identify a field of interest.
On the left side of the webpage there is a link titled Resources for Students, Applicants, and Residents.
This link provides very useful information on the application process including fact sheets for applying, a
timeline for the application process, financial information on costs of application and cost of schooling,
requirements for admission, etc.
Tips
Use the Resources for Students, Applicants, and Residents link.
Register an account to obtain full access to the website; this includes access to the AMCAS and
MCAT registration.


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American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Website
Link to Website: http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx

Abstract
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1898 and formed to
support the nations osteopathic institutions. This site is especially useful for those intending to apply to
schools of osteopathic medicine. The majority of useful information for those looking to apply to
osteopathic school is found on the page for information for applicants. Here, one can find information
on what osteopathic medicine is and how to follow through with becoming an osteopathic physician.
This source also provides a link to the universal application for osteopathic schools, the American
Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS). Other useful
information found on this website includes a link to the MCAT website because the MCATs are required
for osteopathic schools in addition to medical schools. This site additionally provides information on
financial aid, carrying through with a duel degree program, and also gives data on other websites which
are very useful to those looking to apply to schools of osteopathic medicine.
Tips
To access the page for applicants from the homepage, first scroll over the Info For tab at the
top, then select Applicants.

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The Princeton Review
Website
Link to Website: http://www.princetonreview.com/

Abstract
The Princeton Review provides information on various schools, standardized tests, also provides courses
and resources to help students prepare for standardized tests such as the MCAT.
The Princeton Reviews website allows students to register for courses which have proven to be
beneficial in preparing them to take the standardized tests necessary for graduate schools. Specifically
for those looking into a medical program, the Princeton Review is a great resource for obtaining the
skills needed for mastering the MCAT. In addition for the classes which need to be paid for, the
Princeton Review provides some very beneficial free services for students looking to join the medical
field. Here, one can find an overview of the MCAT, tips for taking the exam, MCAT dates, and even
access a free practice test. This website also provides information on medical schools and allows
students to search for medical schools that may be in their interest. There is also information on
obtaining certain scholarship to aid with medical school expenses.
For those who plan on taking a gap year between college and medical school, the Princeton Review also
provides information on some things related to the medical field to help which can help boost resumes
and make students better candidates for being accepted into medical schools. The majority of this
information relates to abroad programs and can be found under the Study Abroad heading of the
Medical tab.
Tips
Registering for an account can help you keep track of your medical school application material
and ensure that you stay on track with the necessary requirements for applying to medical
school.
Registering for an account will also enable you to obtain more information online if taking a
Princeton Review MCAT prep course.

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After College
Website
Link to Website: https://www.aftercollege.com

Abstract
After College is a website intended to help graduating college students find jobs related to their field of
study. With this website, individuals can create profiles to help track and find jobs. These profiles are
also useful because they allow the user to upload resumes and other information so that employers can
easily access the information. Another beneficial aspect to this website is that it allows users to apply for
positions directly through the website. This website is also beneficial because it enables the user to
search for jobs using multiple criteria including job category, job title, state, and city based on their field
of study. For example, when searching for jobs
After graduating college, it is difficult to find jobs related to ones intended field without obtaining
continuing education; this is especially true for those graduating with majors in biological science and
medical related sciences. This can make it difficult for students to find proficient jobs in their gap
year/years between college and medical school. For this reason, After College is a great resource for
those who need to find a source of income and better their resume in the year or years before medical
school.
Tips
Be precise when inputting data. This will make it very easy to find jobs in accessible areas to you.
Make a free profile. This will allow you to store and update information so that you can easily
find jobs and have your information easily accessible to possible employers.