About the Book Preface Table of Contents Sample Mistake What others are saying...

PREFACE

My colleagues and I designed and wrote this book with one goal in mind – to improve the Pediatrics Clerkship for you, the medical student. And, throughout its development, we created a text that not only combines essential and difficult-to-find information but also serves as a user-friendly guide through the multiple facets of pediatric medicine.

Unlike other Pediatric Clerkship texts, this book is unique in that it takes you step-by-step through the daily activities of the Pediatrics Clerkship - whether on the inpatient wards, the outpatient clinic, or the nursery – and identifies mistakes commonly made along the way. The field of pediatrics is extensive, and medical students have a relatively brief period of time to learn its basic tenets. However, by reading this book, you will quickly gain an enhanced familiarity with the "nuts and bolts" of the Pediatrics Clerkship, and be well-prepared - even before setting foot in the hospital - for how to (i) excel during prerounds, work rounds, call, and attending rounds, and (ii) master write-ups, oral case presentations, and daily progress notes.

In this book, we identify 101 mistakes medical students commonly make during their Pediatrics Clerkship - all of which tend to negatively impact their overall experience. Then, after defining each mistake, we not only offer practical suggestions for how to avoid the error, but moreover provide specific instructions for how to become adept in the specific area of pediatric medicine in which the mistake was originally made. In this manner, our intent is to have you - the reader - learn from the mistakes of others - and avoid making the same or similar mistakes yourself.

Our desire is that after reading this book, you will have no "surprises" during your Pediatrics Clerkship and be well equipped to gain the most from your experience. As we mention in the text, there is comfort in knowledge, and we hope that the information and insight this book imparts upon you will make you more content in the pediatric arena. Even more so, we hope that the knowledge you gain from this text will further your education and expand your clinical acumen and skills - in all areas of medicine.

- Andrew A. Bremer, M.D., Ph.D.