Block 1
Contributor(s): Chioma Elechi (’22), Alicia Aguilar (‘23)
During Block 1, you'll be learning about how the Case WR2 Curriculum works while learning about social determinants of health. You will be assigned to your first IQ group which will also serve as your FCM group. Get to know these people, as you'll be spending M1 and M2 with them. Learning how to function in IQ can be difficult. Because people are randomly assigned to IQ groups, personalities may not mesh. Figuring out how to navigate interpersonal differences in order to achieve the common goal of learning the material is a challenge, but an essential skill for a successful career in medicine.
Even though Block 1 isn’t about basic science, its subject matter is still very important in understanding your patients and the practice of medicine. You’ll be introduced to some disease processes, but the point of the block is to understand the social dynamics underlying these diseases. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about diabetes throughout the rest of the year.
General Advice
Keep up with the material presented in the lectures and IQ throughout the block. You'll hear a lot of upperclassmen say that you only need to study for one week for Block 1, but figuring out how to stay on top of material will help you so much as you move through the rest of the year.
Block 1 is the most relaxed block in the curriculum, so it's a great opportunity to get to know your classmates and explore Cleveland before things get hectic. Take advantage of the opportunities to get out into the community. (Check out the How to do CLE section for more information).
IQ Research
Use the recommended resources for the IQ cases, but don't be afraid to find alternative resources that also help you learn. Up To Date and Medscape are great resources for clinical information. Some people also use First Aid and other board review materials for IQ research, and you may find those helpful when developing a basic understanding of the material.
You don't need to buy textbooks, but if you like having them, you will be able to buy really cheap ones from the upperclassmen.
SEQs and MCQs
Remember that SEQs are due on Saturday at 11:59 AM, so use your time during the week to get your IQ research and SEQs done. MCQs may also be helpful for your studying, but they are not mandatory so you can save them for later if that is more helpful to you
Even though Block 1 isn’t about basic science, its subject matter is still very important in understanding your patients and the practice of medicine. You’ll be introduced to some disease processes, but the point of the block is to understand the social dynamics underlying these diseases. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about diabetes throughout the rest of the year.
General Advice
Keep up with the material presented in the lectures and IQ throughout the block. You'll hear a lot of upperclassmen say that you only need to study for one week for Block 1, but figuring out how to stay on top of material will help you so much as you move through the rest of the year.
Block 1 is the most relaxed block in the curriculum, so it's a great opportunity to get to know your classmates and explore Cleveland before things get hectic. Take advantage of the opportunities to get out into the community. (Check out the How to do CLE section for more information).
IQ Research
Use the recommended resources for the IQ cases, but don't be afraid to find alternative resources that also help you learn. Up To Date and Medscape are great resources for clinical information. Some people also use First Aid and other board review materials for IQ research, and you may find those helpful when developing a basic understanding of the material.
You don't need to buy textbooks, but if you like having them, you will be able to buy really cheap ones from the upperclassmen.
SEQs and MCQs
Remember that SEQs are due on Saturday at 11:59 AM, so use your time during the week to get your IQ research and SEQs done. MCQs may also be helpful for your studying, but they are not mandatory so you can save them for later if that is more helpful to you
Anatomy Bootcamp
Contributor(s): Amber Estes (’23), Obichi Onwukwe (’23)
Contributor(s): Amber Estes (’23), Obichi Onwukwe (’23)
Overview
Anatomy bootcamp is a 2 week part of the block 7 curriculum. During the 2 weeks, you will have dissection for 3 hours a day. You will have recorded lectures that must be watched prior to your assigned dissection time. Your class will be divided into 4 groups, with each group assigned to a different lab in order to maintain social distancing guidelines. The dissection labs are located in the old med school, and you will need your student ID to get into this building. You will be in a group of 4 people from your original GARLA group and will be assigned a part of your donor to dissect each week for the first 3 days. One week will be the thorax and upper extremities while the other is abdomen and lower extremities. If your group is assigned the thorax, you’ll dissect it and then at the end of the session you will teach what you have learned to another group who dissected the upper extremities. They will then teach you about the upper extremities they learned about that day. Thursday is a review day and Friday is a practicum. The practicum at the end of the 1st week is practice (formative), while the practicum at the end of week 2 is official (summative). You will have access to the dissection lab 24/7 during boot camp to study and are encouraged to come back in the evenings to review.
What to Buy
Each group will need 2 dissection kits, make sure to coordinate. You can also coordinate on a box of gloves to share, it is only 2 weeks so you definitely won’t be going through a whole box yourself. It is suggested that you buy an Atlas but there are plenty scattered throughout the lab. Similar to other blocks, there are shared textbooks online that you could use unless you want to have your own physical copy (would recommend a cheap one if you go this route). Find an old pair of shoes you don’t mind throwing away afterwards. You should also purchase a pair of scrubs, although there are scrubs available through the scrub machines in the old medical school building.
This year, Case will be providing PPEs in the form of surgical gowns, masks, and goggles. Each student gets only one surgical gown per day, so make sure to keep this after your assigned session if you want to return later in the evening to review.
General Advice
Bootcamp overall was nice because it was the only thing you needed to focus on and study for, so it is a good time to continue exploring Cleveland and getting to know others. It is a lot in two weeks though, so it is important to take the time to get to know the material. I would recommend that everyone take the time to go into the lab with some classmates outside of the sessions in order to review and practice. This is important because the practicum will be primarily focusing on the donors that the class dissects. Because there is a lot of variability, going in outside of the session to review with multiple donors will be beneficial. GET TO THE SCRUB MACHINE EARLY! There are a lot of people getting scrubs and a limited number of each size, so if you’re late you could be stuck with some scrubs that are a very different size than yours.
Resources Outside of the Lab
If you learn well from reading, there are pre-readings listed for each session that you can look over. We had multiple classmates make Anki decks and study guides which helped with memorizing structures. You should be getting access to Complete Anatomy which is a very helpful application where you can highlight a structure and get information on it such as its innervation, blood supply, and action.
First Cut Reflection and Memorial Service
You will be asked to write a reflection about the first time dissecting. Everyone has a different experience with this and it is a good way to reflect on how you felt. At the end of boot camp there will be a Memorial Service to honor the donors. Both of these are great ways to reflect on your appreciation for the donors.
Anatomy bootcamp is a 2 week part of the block 7 curriculum. During the 2 weeks, you will have dissection for 3 hours a day. You will have recorded lectures that must be watched prior to your assigned dissection time. Your class will be divided into 4 groups, with each group assigned to a different lab in order to maintain social distancing guidelines. The dissection labs are located in the old med school, and you will need your student ID to get into this building. You will be in a group of 4 people from your original GARLA group and will be assigned a part of your donor to dissect each week for the first 3 days. One week will be the thorax and upper extremities while the other is abdomen and lower extremities. If your group is assigned the thorax, you’ll dissect it and then at the end of the session you will teach what you have learned to another group who dissected the upper extremities. They will then teach you about the upper extremities they learned about that day. Thursday is a review day and Friday is a practicum. The practicum at the end of the 1st week is practice (formative), while the practicum at the end of week 2 is official (summative). You will have access to the dissection lab 24/7 during boot camp to study and are encouraged to come back in the evenings to review.
What to Buy
Each group will need 2 dissection kits, make sure to coordinate. You can also coordinate on a box of gloves to share, it is only 2 weeks so you definitely won’t be going through a whole box yourself. It is suggested that you buy an Atlas but there are plenty scattered throughout the lab. Similar to other blocks, there are shared textbooks online that you could use unless you want to have your own physical copy (would recommend a cheap one if you go this route). Find an old pair of shoes you don’t mind throwing away afterwards. You should also purchase a pair of scrubs, although there are scrubs available through the scrub machines in the old medical school building.
This year, Case will be providing PPEs in the form of surgical gowns, masks, and goggles. Each student gets only one surgical gown per day, so make sure to keep this after your assigned session if you want to return later in the evening to review.
General Advice
Bootcamp overall was nice because it was the only thing you needed to focus on and study for, so it is a good time to continue exploring Cleveland and getting to know others. It is a lot in two weeks though, so it is important to take the time to get to know the material. I would recommend that everyone take the time to go into the lab with some classmates outside of the sessions in order to review and practice. This is important because the practicum will be primarily focusing on the donors that the class dissects. Because there is a lot of variability, going in outside of the session to review with multiple donors will be beneficial. GET TO THE SCRUB MACHINE EARLY! There are a lot of people getting scrubs and a limited number of each size, so if you’re late you could be stuck with some scrubs that are a very different size than yours.
Resources Outside of the Lab
If you learn well from reading, there are pre-readings listed for each session that you can look over. We had multiple classmates make Anki decks and study guides which helped with memorizing structures. You should be getting access to Complete Anatomy which is a very helpful application where you can highlight a structure and get information on it such as its innervation, blood supply, and action.
First Cut Reflection and Memorial Service
You will be asked to write a reflection about the first time dissecting. Everyone has a different experience with this and it is a good way to reflect on how you felt. At the end of boot camp there will be a Memorial Service to honor the donors. Both of these are great ways to reflect on your appreciation for the donors.
Block 2
Contributor(s): Akailah Mason (’22)
Hey First Years and Welcome to Block 2!
General Advice
Block 2 is completely different than Block 1 and my first recommendation is that you find a way to organize yourself. I used OneNote as my “binder” for lectures, having a section for each discipline in Block 2. I also know a lot of classmates who use Notability, try them both! Breaking up the lectures by discipline makes lecture material more digestible and less overwhelming. Block 2 may feel a little disjointed in how the material integrates with each other, but take it for what it is.
As cliché as it sounds, the most important thing this block is to LEARN HOW YOU LEARN. The earlier you get a decent grasp on how you learn, the better! For the visual and audio learners out there, there are a ton of resources like Boards and Beyond (gold!) and Osmosis that I found useful. To the kinesthetic learners/those who have to write everything out...I feel you on this one. It’s hard to write out and take notes on everything in med school, however one thing that helped me was writing out a one-page sheet of the official LO’s for every IQ case.
Keep up with the material as you go on. It’s easy, EASY, to put off reviewing the material and wait until the last minute. Also, DO NOT underestimate the importance/ neglect lecture material this block.
IQ Research
When it comes to doing IQ research, in the beginning I stuck to the recommended resources that were given for each case. There were no textbooks in specific that I felt were necessary to do well in block 2 (reading textbooks comes in clutch for Block 3, Lippincott is everything!). However, halfway through the block I started using Boards and Beyond (B&B) and it’s a resource that I wished I would have started using earlier. Dr. Ryan (the creator of B&B) does an awesome job at explaining complex concepts It covers pretty much all of the topics in a way that’s easy to understand I highly recommend. I also found it helpful to annotate the explanations from B&B into First Aid (it may be overkill for some, figure out what works for you).
If you’re on a time crunch, Amboss is an online resource that will have all of the information needed to complete a disease drill and have some extra facts to throw in during discussion. However, I strongly encourage you to dive deeper and really try to understand the major concepts.
I had an IQ facilitator that strongly emphasized board work during IQ. Make it a point to get up to the board at least once during an IQ session. The concepts in block 2 are easy to put in tables and flow charts, so chose one diagram/image to learn really well when doing your research and make it a point to draw it during IQ.
Anki
I used Anki as a way to reinforce concepts that I learned during lectures and from Step 1 resources. Flashcards aren’t for everybody so don’t feel like you HAVE to use them. However, I’m a HUGE Anki fan! And I could literally do a whole section on Anki. So if y’all have any questions on how I used Anki, let me know! ([email protected])
Studying for Exams
The End-of-Block reviews are golden and really do focus on the material that will be tested on exams. This is also true for Histo. I’m not sure if you will still get a week off to study, but if so take advantage! It’ll be the last block where you have a complete week to just study.
General Advice
Block 2 is completely different than Block 1 and my first recommendation is that you find a way to organize yourself. I used OneNote as my “binder” for lectures, having a section for each discipline in Block 2. I also know a lot of classmates who use Notability, try them both! Breaking up the lectures by discipline makes lecture material more digestible and less overwhelming. Block 2 may feel a little disjointed in how the material integrates with each other, but take it for what it is.
As cliché as it sounds, the most important thing this block is to LEARN HOW YOU LEARN. The earlier you get a decent grasp on how you learn, the better! For the visual and audio learners out there, there are a ton of resources like Boards and Beyond (gold!) and Osmosis that I found useful. To the kinesthetic learners/those who have to write everything out...I feel you on this one. It’s hard to write out and take notes on everything in med school, however one thing that helped me was writing out a one-page sheet of the official LO’s for every IQ case.
Keep up with the material as you go on. It’s easy, EASY, to put off reviewing the material and wait until the last minute. Also, DO NOT underestimate the importance/ neglect lecture material this block.
IQ Research
When it comes to doing IQ research, in the beginning I stuck to the recommended resources that were given for each case. There were no textbooks in specific that I felt were necessary to do well in block 2 (reading textbooks comes in clutch for Block 3, Lippincott is everything!). However, halfway through the block I started using Boards and Beyond (B&B) and it’s a resource that I wished I would have started using earlier. Dr. Ryan (the creator of B&B) does an awesome job at explaining complex concepts It covers pretty much all of the topics in a way that’s easy to understand I highly recommend. I also found it helpful to annotate the explanations from B&B into First Aid (it may be overkill for some, figure out what works for you).
If you’re on a time crunch, Amboss is an online resource that will have all of the information needed to complete a disease drill and have some extra facts to throw in during discussion. However, I strongly encourage you to dive deeper and really try to understand the major concepts.
I had an IQ facilitator that strongly emphasized board work during IQ. Make it a point to get up to the board at least once during an IQ session. The concepts in block 2 are easy to put in tables and flow charts, so chose one diagram/image to learn really well when doing your research and make it a point to draw it during IQ.
Anki
I used Anki as a way to reinforce concepts that I learned during lectures and from Step 1 resources. Flashcards aren’t for everybody so don’t feel like you HAVE to use them. However, I’m a HUGE Anki fan! And I could literally do a whole section on Anki. So if y’all have any questions on how I used Anki, let me know! ([email protected])
Studying for Exams
The End-of-Block reviews are golden and really do focus on the material that will be tested on exams. This is also true for Histo. I’m not sure if you will still get a week off to study, but if so take advantage! It’ll be the last block where you have a complete week to just study.
Block 3
Contributor(s): Pete Ahorukomeye (’22), Chioma Elechi (’22)
You made it to Block 3! Block 3 feels like a short one because of winter break. Pre-winter break was mostly Biochemistry and post-winter break was mostly GI.
General Advice
Block 3 can feel a little bit all over the place. Even though biochemistry, nutrition, and the GI system go hand in hand, the way each discipline is presented in the block is a bit disjointed. As you progress through the block, things will start to click, but it’s up to you to start putting the pieces together.
The block starts with biochemistry. If it’s been a while since you learned about the electron transport chain or glycolysis, don’t worry. Dr. Croniger and Dr. Snider do a great job of re-introducing the material. Unlike undergrad biochem, the point of biochem during this block isn’t to memorize every single molecule or step in each reaction pathway, rather the point is to understand how each of the metabolic processes work together and what effect dysregulation will have on the body. I would recommend attending lecture to get a sense of what is high-yield.
GI can be tricky. You’ll learn how each segment of the GI tract functions via IQ cases that feature GI dysfunction. Make sure you’re comfortable with the normal function of each segment of the GI tract. It will make understanding the consequences of diseases of the GI system much easier.
IQ Research
Lippincott’s Biochemistry is excellent for biochem, but you will likely find that your entire IQ group has read the same chapter for research. Also, check out the CaseMed minute videos for biochem and nutrition (hint, hint).
For GI, Costanzo’s Physiology presents the information in a way that is very clear and concise and is great for foundational understanding. Also, some of the board review materials including Osmosis and Boards & Beyond do a great job of explaining the GI disease processes in a way that is easy to follow. Also, check out First Aid, USMLERx, and Pathoma.
During the course of the block, you’ll be introduced to several medications. Though the drugs are not the central focus of the block, you’ll want to keep track of what they are prescribed to treat and their mechanism of action.
Studying for Exams
END OF BLOCK REVIEW SESSIONS. Since you won’t have a study week for this block, you may want to watch these on your own time rather than attending in person. One benefit of in-person attendance is getting any lingering questions answered. You will also have access to the review sessions from previous years so you can start preparing even before the review week.
I would also strongly recommend reviewing the ideal answers for each of the SEQs (even the one you decided not to do) as this is a good way to make sure you’ve gotten what is intended out of each IQ case..
General Advice
Block 3 can feel a little bit all over the place. Even though biochemistry, nutrition, and the GI system go hand in hand, the way each discipline is presented in the block is a bit disjointed. As you progress through the block, things will start to click, but it’s up to you to start putting the pieces together.
The block starts with biochemistry. If it’s been a while since you learned about the electron transport chain or glycolysis, don’t worry. Dr. Croniger and Dr. Snider do a great job of re-introducing the material. Unlike undergrad biochem, the point of biochem during this block isn’t to memorize every single molecule or step in each reaction pathway, rather the point is to understand how each of the metabolic processes work together and what effect dysregulation will have on the body. I would recommend attending lecture to get a sense of what is high-yield.
GI can be tricky. You’ll learn how each segment of the GI tract functions via IQ cases that feature GI dysfunction. Make sure you’re comfortable with the normal function of each segment of the GI tract. It will make understanding the consequences of diseases of the GI system much easier.
IQ Research
Lippincott’s Biochemistry is excellent for biochem, but you will likely find that your entire IQ group has read the same chapter for research. Also, check out the CaseMed minute videos for biochem and nutrition (hint, hint).
For GI, Costanzo’s Physiology presents the information in a way that is very clear and concise and is great for foundational understanding. Also, some of the board review materials including Osmosis and Boards & Beyond do a great job of explaining the GI disease processes in a way that is easy to follow. Also, check out First Aid, USMLERx, and Pathoma.
During the course of the block, you’ll be introduced to several medications. Though the drugs are not the central focus of the block, you’ll want to keep track of what they are prescribed to treat and their mechanism of action.
Studying for Exams
END OF BLOCK REVIEW SESSIONS. Since you won’t have a study week for this block, you may want to watch these on your own time rather than attending in person. One benefit of in-person attendance is getting any lingering questions answered. You will also have access to the review sessions from previous years so you can start preparing even before the review week.
I would also strongly recommend reviewing the ideal answers for each of the SEQs (even the one you decided not to do) as this is a good way to make sure you’ve gotten what is intended out of each IQ case..
Block 4
Contributor(s): Kolade Odetoyinbo (’21), Christina Gerges (’21), Mina Huerta (’23)
This is by no means an exhaustive or authoritative guide for Block 4, but we thought it would be helpful to highlight textbooks, websites, and other resources that proved useful to understand and dive deep into 16 weeks of pretty dense material. At the end of the day, do what allows you to learn best and is sustainable for four months.
General Advice: Cardiology
Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts 2e by Klabunde: Pretty much all you need when it comes to normal cardiac physiology. It has some great diagrams that are useful for copying out either on your own or during IQ sessions. Klabunde provides a great general overview of the cardiovascular system and would 100% recommend it as a starting point. I often supplemented this material with Lilly or Boards and Beyond. There is an online version of the material that can be found at https://www.cvphysiology.com. Came back to this resource multiple times over the block and in the days leading up to exams. Take the time to really understand this material!
Pathophysiology of Heart Disease 5e by Lilly: Discusses normal physiology in addition to pathophysiology. The diagrams are succinct and good talking points for IQ. Extremely useful for specifics about diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and many more. Highly recommend bookmarking this resource!
First Aid Organ Systems
Great starting point for research. Probably not good enough to get you everything you need for an IQ case, but everything in there you need to know for Step 1. This can be used for pulmonology and renal as well.
Life in the Fast Lane ECG Library: ECGs are going to look like gibberish for a while, but this website was great for getting familiar with the different waveforms associated with pathologies. Focus on the rhythms they want you to know from IQ and lecture; you don’t need to know everything on the website. Repetition is key! There are a thousand and one different ways to approach an ECG. Once you find a method that works for you, stick to it and practice, practice, practice. There are some quizzes on the website as well.
Amboss & Osmosis: Wonderful resources for cardiology, renal, pulm, and honestly every topic. I like to think of Amboss as a simplified google for medical school. Osmosis provides short, helpful videos about complex topics and is great for visual learners. Check them out and decide if they are right for you. You do not have to purchase every resource out there, but it is good to explore your options and find what works for you. Ask an upperclassmen to show you what they look like, how they use it, and if you can play around with the website.
Pulmonology
Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials and Pulmonary Pathophysiology (both by West): all you need for the key concepts for normal lung function and lung disease. Personally found Pulmonary Pathophysiology more helpful than The Essentials.
Costanzo Physiology: Extremely good at providing a broad overview of everything you need to understand the big topics of pulmonology physiology and pathophysiology. Do not sleep on Costanzos!
Renal
Costanzo Physiology: This is a go-to for renal mainly because I think you need to start real simple and then add in the details; otherwise, you’ll easily confuse which transporters go where and where they’re placed. Again, really good diagrams to sketch on your own and in IQ.
Case Med Minutes: You’ll soon learn that Dr. Mimi Lam is the G.O.A.T when it comes to making concepts clinically relevant and engaging, but still simple to understand. Highly recommend watching all of her CaseMed minutes as you go and before exam time.
Renal Physiology 5e by Koeppen: This is usually the book recommended by lecturers. A worthwhile read for understanding the nuances once you have the basics down.
Renal Pathophysiology by Rennke & Denker: Appreciated the clinical scenarios and specifics provided in the textbook. Again, start with Costanzo’s and Case Med Minutes. This became particularly useful when discussing disease processes and wanting a deeper understanding.
Pharmacology
TBL Sessions: All of the facilitators run the sessions in a very organized manner and go through all the questions with the entire room. It’s a really good test of your understanding for general pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles. Come prepared and actively participate, this will ensure you get a lot out of TBL! Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The facilitators will explain a concept until it makes sense and will even encourage you to reach out if something still doesn’t make sense.
Golan Principles of Pharmacology OR Lippincott’s Pharmacology 5e: Both are more detailed textbooks than what Case will cover, but the chapters on general principles of pharmacology are worth the read. Look to TBL to figure out exactly which drugs/mechanisms/interactions are most important for the exam.
DrugBank: Our go-to resource for all the details on all the drugs (absorption, distribution, metabolism,elimination, side effects, interactions, etc).
UptoDate: Great one stop shop for drug information. Also, it is a bit easier to navigate than DrugBank. Both are great resources that I referenced throughout the block.
IQ Research
Block 4 is by far the best block for IQ because the concepts lend themselves the best to having a discussion, so take the opportunity to teach and be taught. This block is more about clinical reasoning and understanding the interplay between all the systems, as well as what happens when you throw a drug in the mix. Don’t lose sight of the big picture: Start your research off with a simple abbreviated resource (Costanzo’s, Klabunde, First Aid, Boards and Beyond, Amboss or Osmosis) to get a sense of core concepts, then fill in the rest with textbooks, UpToDate, primary literature and whatever else you like. Keep track of drugs and formulas: You’ll find that pharmacology is memorization-heavy and there’s really no way around it. Keeping a running list of all the drugs, drug-drug interactions and formulas that recur throughout the block will make it easier to remember in the long run. Anki is helpful for this as you can test yourself every couple of weeks on what you’ve learned. Boardwork is your best friend! Every IQ session should have a good diagram (or three) associated with it; take the time to actually draw them out. I wasn’t a huge boardwork person until Block 4 and now I can’t go back to just projecting a diagram on the screen. Worry less about replicating the diagram exactly as it is the textbook/making it pretty and more about sketching the concept and discussing it.
Studying for Exams: Exam Prep
You’ve probably heard about the “1 week for Block 1, 2 weeks for Block 2 etc etc” rule about studying by now. While I think it’s more catchy than anything else, I did start studying in earnest for Block 4 a little over a month before the exam. By studying, I mean going back through past IQ LO’s/SEQs and making sure I understood the key concepts from each week. I wasn’t in the library for 8+ hours until maybe the week and a half before the exam. I do not recommend cramming for this exam at all! Starting with a solid understanding of normal physiology and pathophysiology from a conceptual standpoint goes a longer way on the exam where you’ll be asked to explain your thought process. Go through the pharmacology TBL assessments and make sure you understand how to apply all the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics principles. Get a group together and review the OLOs over the weekend and go back to these topics even when you are no longer in the “cardio” section in the block. 16 weeks is a long time but also no time at all. Put in the work early on, trust me it will pay off!
Boards Resources
A lot of students use boards study stuff (B&B, First Aid, Sketchy) as a starting point for IQ research to learn the key concepts and flesh out the details with textbook material/primary literature/etc. Remember, do what works for you even if that means starting with textbooks and primary literature and then supplementing with boards resources. Be ok with exploring different approaches, it's all a part of the process. Boards and Beyond is also a phenomenal resource for this block and many of us started using it regularly around this time. The guy who runs it is a cardiologist so I would make a point of watching those at some point. If you would like to review but don’t want to think too much about what you want to review use Step 1 decks.
If I could go back, I would run through the relevant flashcards from one of the popular Step 1 decks (Zanki, Lightyear, Pepper Pharm for drugs) throughout the block. It’s a pretty lightweight way to at least see material for the first time in the context of the rest of the curriculum. Sketchy Pharm is another place to learn about drugs and it can be more fun than a textbook. Try watching a couple of videos, specifically those that highlight what is in the IQ cases and see if they help. Warning: they can be as long as 30 minutes. If it isn’t for you, don’t force it and save that detailed studying for dedicated. All in all, remember that you got this! You belong here and we are here to help!
General Advice: Cardiology
Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts 2e by Klabunde: Pretty much all you need when it comes to normal cardiac physiology. It has some great diagrams that are useful for copying out either on your own or during IQ sessions. Klabunde provides a great general overview of the cardiovascular system and would 100% recommend it as a starting point. I often supplemented this material with Lilly or Boards and Beyond. There is an online version of the material that can be found at https://www.cvphysiology.com. Came back to this resource multiple times over the block and in the days leading up to exams. Take the time to really understand this material!
Pathophysiology of Heart Disease 5e by Lilly: Discusses normal physiology in addition to pathophysiology. The diagrams are succinct and good talking points for IQ. Extremely useful for specifics about diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and many more. Highly recommend bookmarking this resource!
First Aid Organ Systems
Great starting point for research. Probably not good enough to get you everything you need for an IQ case, but everything in there you need to know for Step 1. This can be used for pulmonology and renal as well.
Life in the Fast Lane ECG Library: ECGs are going to look like gibberish for a while, but this website was great for getting familiar with the different waveforms associated with pathologies. Focus on the rhythms they want you to know from IQ and lecture; you don’t need to know everything on the website. Repetition is key! There are a thousand and one different ways to approach an ECG. Once you find a method that works for you, stick to it and practice, practice, practice. There are some quizzes on the website as well.
Amboss & Osmosis: Wonderful resources for cardiology, renal, pulm, and honestly every topic. I like to think of Amboss as a simplified google for medical school. Osmosis provides short, helpful videos about complex topics and is great for visual learners. Check them out and decide if they are right for you. You do not have to purchase every resource out there, but it is good to explore your options and find what works for you. Ask an upperclassmen to show you what they look like, how they use it, and if you can play around with the website.
Pulmonology
Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials and Pulmonary Pathophysiology (both by West): all you need for the key concepts for normal lung function and lung disease. Personally found Pulmonary Pathophysiology more helpful than The Essentials.
Costanzo Physiology: Extremely good at providing a broad overview of everything you need to understand the big topics of pulmonology physiology and pathophysiology. Do not sleep on Costanzos!
Renal
Costanzo Physiology: This is a go-to for renal mainly because I think you need to start real simple and then add in the details; otherwise, you’ll easily confuse which transporters go where and where they’re placed. Again, really good diagrams to sketch on your own and in IQ.
Case Med Minutes: You’ll soon learn that Dr. Mimi Lam is the G.O.A.T when it comes to making concepts clinically relevant and engaging, but still simple to understand. Highly recommend watching all of her CaseMed minutes as you go and before exam time.
Renal Physiology 5e by Koeppen: This is usually the book recommended by lecturers. A worthwhile read for understanding the nuances once you have the basics down.
Renal Pathophysiology by Rennke & Denker: Appreciated the clinical scenarios and specifics provided in the textbook. Again, start with Costanzo’s and Case Med Minutes. This became particularly useful when discussing disease processes and wanting a deeper understanding.
Pharmacology
TBL Sessions: All of the facilitators run the sessions in a very organized manner and go through all the questions with the entire room. It’s a really good test of your understanding for general pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles. Come prepared and actively participate, this will ensure you get a lot out of TBL! Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The facilitators will explain a concept until it makes sense and will even encourage you to reach out if something still doesn’t make sense.
Golan Principles of Pharmacology OR Lippincott’s Pharmacology 5e: Both are more detailed textbooks than what Case will cover, but the chapters on general principles of pharmacology are worth the read. Look to TBL to figure out exactly which drugs/mechanisms/interactions are most important for the exam.
DrugBank: Our go-to resource for all the details on all the drugs (absorption, distribution, metabolism,elimination, side effects, interactions, etc).
UptoDate: Great one stop shop for drug information. Also, it is a bit easier to navigate than DrugBank. Both are great resources that I referenced throughout the block.
IQ Research
Block 4 is by far the best block for IQ because the concepts lend themselves the best to having a discussion, so take the opportunity to teach and be taught. This block is more about clinical reasoning and understanding the interplay between all the systems, as well as what happens when you throw a drug in the mix. Don’t lose sight of the big picture: Start your research off with a simple abbreviated resource (Costanzo’s, Klabunde, First Aid, Boards and Beyond, Amboss or Osmosis) to get a sense of core concepts, then fill in the rest with textbooks, UpToDate, primary literature and whatever else you like. Keep track of drugs and formulas: You’ll find that pharmacology is memorization-heavy and there’s really no way around it. Keeping a running list of all the drugs, drug-drug interactions and formulas that recur throughout the block will make it easier to remember in the long run. Anki is helpful for this as you can test yourself every couple of weeks on what you’ve learned. Boardwork is your best friend! Every IQ session should have a good diagram (or three) associated with it; take the time to actually draw them out. I wasn’t a huge boardwork person until Block 4 and now I can’t go back to just projecting a diagram on the screen. Worry less about replicating the diagram exactly as it is the textbook/making it pretty and more about sketching the concept and discussing it.
Studying for Exams: Exam Prep
You’ve probably heard about the “1 week for Block 1, 2 weeks for Block 2 etc etc” rule about studying by now. While I think it’s more catchy than anything else, I did start studying in earnest for Block 4 a little over a month before the exam. By studying, I mean going back through past IQ LO’s/SEQs and making sure I understood the key concepts from each week. I wasn’t in the library for 8+ hours until maybe the week and a half before the exam. I do not recommend cramming for this exam at all! Starting with a solid understanding of normal physiology and pathophysiology from a conceptual standpoint goes a longer way on the exam where you’ll be asked to explain your thought process. Go through the pharmacology TBL assessments and make sure you understand how to apply all the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics principles. Get a group together and review the OLOs over the weekend and go back to these topics even when you are no longer in the “cardio” section in the block. 16 weeks is a long time but also no time at all. Put in the work early on, trust me it will pay off!
Boards Resources
A lot of students use boards study stuff (B&B, First Aid, Sketchy) as a starting point for IQ research to learn the key concepts and flesh out the details with textbook material/primary literature/etc. Remember, do what works for you even if that means starting with textbooks and primary literature and then supplementing with boards resources. Be ok with exploring different approaches, it's all a part of the process. Boards and Beyond is also a phenomenal resource for this block and many of us started using it regularly around this time. The guy who runs it is a cardiologist so I would make a point of watching those at some point. If you would like to review but don’t want to think too much about what you want to review use Step 1 decks.
If I could go back, I would run through the relevant flashcards from one of the popular Step 1 decks (Zanki, Lightyear, Pepper Pharm for drugs) throughout the block. It’s a pretty lightweight way to at least see material for the first time in the context of the rest of the curriculum. Sketchy Pharm is another place to learn about drugs and it can be more fun than a textbook. Try watching a couple of videos, specifically those that highlight what is in the IQ cases and see if they help. Warning: they can be as long as 30 minutes. If it isn’t for you, don’t force it and save that detailed studying for dedicated. All in all, remember that you got this! You belong here and we are here to help!
Block 5
Contributor(s): Christina Gerges (’21)
Welcome to M2! Now that you have figured out your favorite study spots, preferred # of new Anki cards/day, and who your med school best friends are, it’s time to finish out pre-clinicals strong (with a little bit of St*p studying along the way). I don’t know how they managed to pack all of my least favorite topics into one block, but I felt personally victimized. Compared to Block 4’s wondrous pathophysiological approach to learning medicine, Block 5 is a dud. Sorry, I can’t sugarcoat this one. This also happened to be the most ~High Yield~ block in Case’s curriculum (in my opinion), so it would behoove you to learn this stuff well the first time around.
Block 5: Immunology, Microbiology, Hematology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Orthopedics
Immunology- Lectures are your friend. Go back and read that again. Go to lecture. Seriously. Dr. Sy is not only very nice and super stylish, he’s also a great lecturer. Most importantly, he tells you exactly what he expects you to know. There’s also a popular textbook available called, “How the Immune System Works.” I skimmed this but didn’t find it especially helpful.
Microbiology- Whereas I wouldn’t recommend extensive step studying during M1, I think that M2 is a perfectly appropriate time to familiarize yourself with the resources available. For micro in particular, your knight in shining armor is Sketchy. There will be a list of bugs that you need to know for Case’s curriculum. Virtually all of them have a corresponding Sketchy video. Personally, I only watched videos on bugs that were covered in Case’s curriculum. However, I regretted that decision during dedicated. My hindsight-is-20/20 recommendation to approaching sketchy videos is as follows:
Hematology- Pathoma was my number one resource for hematology. Watch the chapter on red blood cell and white blood cell disorders at least once. Know the difference between TTP and DIC.
Rheumatology- I really liked the review lectures for rheum. I ended up watching them twice, which was overkill, but I ended up knowing this topic pretty well. I would recommend that you know lab tests associated with autoimmune conditions cold.
Dermatology- I honestly took the loss with derm. I scrolled through the lectures and studied for IQ, but I did not learn about every skin condition known to man. I still met expectations on the derm parts of SSEQs, so do with that what you will.
Histology- By this point, you know how to approach histology at Case. Do what you’ve always done. Happy Anki-ing.
Anatomy- MSK week seems daunting, but the only truly difficult part is that you’re expected to be in lecture for a longer period of time than you are accustomed to as a Case student. Suck it up, because it’s only five days, and take the opportunity to reflect on how much it would have sucked to go to a medical school with a lecture based curriculum.
Block 5: Immunology, Microbiology, Hematology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Orthopedics
Immunology- Lectures are your friend. Go back and read that again. Go to lecture. Seriously. Dr. Sy is not only very nice and super stylish, he’s also a great lecturer. Most importantly, he tells you exactly what he expects you to know. There’s also a popular textbook available called, “How the Immune System Works.” I skimmed this but didn’t find it especially helpful.
Microbiology- Whereas I wouldn’t recommend extensive step studying during M1, I think that M2 is a perfectly appropriate time to familiarize yourself with the resources available. For micro in particular, your knight in shining armor is Sketchy. There will be a list of bugs that you need to know for Case’s curriculum. Virtually all of them have a corresponding Sketchy video. Personally, I only watched videos on bugs that were covered in Case’s curriculum. However, I regretted that decision during dedicated. My hindsight-is-20/20 recommendation to approaching sketchy videos is as follows:
- Download a premade Anki deck for sketchy micro videos-- pepper and lolnotacop seem to be the popular ones
- Suspend all of the cards.
- Watch a video. You could do this without taking notes if you’re paying attention.
- Unsuspend the cards corresponding to that particular video.
- Click through those cards immediately after watching the video. Doing so will help you retain all that info.
- Keep up with reviews, and you should be golden.
Hematology- Pathoma was my number one resource for hematology. Watch the chapter on red blood cell and white blood cell disorders at least once. Know the difference between TTP and DIC.
Rheumatology- I really liked the review lectures for rheum. I ended up watching them twice, which was overkill, but I ended up knowing this topic pretty well. I would recommend that you know lab tests associated with autoimmune conditions cold.
Dermatology- I honestly took the loss with derm. I scrolled through the lectures and studied for IQ, but I did not learn about every skin condition known to man. I still met expectations on the derm parts of SSEQs, so do with that what you will.
Histology- By this point, you know how to approach histology at Case. Do what you’ve always done. Happy Anki-ing.
Anatomy- MSK week seems daunting, but the only truly difficult part is that you’re expected to be in lecture for a longer period of time than you are accustomed to as a Case student. Suck it up, because it’s only five days, and take the opportunity to reflect on how much it would have sucked to go to a medical school with a lecture based curriculum.
Block 6
Contributor(s): Christina Gerges (’21)
Block 6: Neurology, and Psychiatry
At this point, even non-gunners are starting to stress out about the proximity of step.
Do: Start light Step prep, get your affairs in order for research block (ID a good PI/mentor, find a research topic, complete on-boarding, etc), take a trip to use up those flex days
Don’t: Let any of the above prevent you from passing the block. Our classmates who failed anatomy had to take head and neck anatomy during dedicated. It doesn’t seem chill. Pass your exams.
Neurology- For those of us who have taken even one neuroscience course in undergrad, congratulations! This portion of the block will be a breeze for you. For the less fortunate, read the pertinent sections of “Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases” or “Clinical Neuroanatomy Made Ridiculously Simple.” You will likely have a UH neurology resident in your IQ group. Come with questions, because those people are great resources. Another great resource is this compilation of lectures intended for neurology residents, but it is available to all (need to find link). It may be overkill for Case’s curriculum, but you could use it for topics that you are less comfortable with.
Psychiatry- At this point, my mind was on research and dedicated. I studied for IQ and made sure that I knew the DSM-V criteria for every psych condition that was discussed in lecture and IQ.
Drugs- There are a smattering of drugs that you need to know throughout this block. Watch the corresponding Sketchy Pharm videos.
Histology- See block 5 histo recommendations.
Anatomy- As one of the more difficult parts of Block 6, I strongly advise you to take anatomy seriously. It is a combination of neuroanatomy and head/neck anatomy, with more focus on the latter. Unlike previous blocks, Block 6 anatomy features prosections. Because of this, you will spend the entire anatomy period learning, as opposed to figuring out what and where to cut. Another contrast to previous blocks is the faculty. Whereas Blocks 1-5 are taught by Dr. Wish-Baratz, Block 6 is taught by Dr. Croft. Their stylistic differences become apparent in lecture styles and the practical exams. I recommend that you go to each anatomy session ready to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Also make use of TA sessions and schedule tutoring if possible, as you will not be able to visit the lab without a TA in the room.
At this point, even non-gunners are starting to stress out about the proximity of step.
Do: Start light Step prep, get your affairs in order for research block (ID a good PI/mentor, find a research topic, complete on-boarding, etc), take a trip to use up those flex days
Don’t: Let any of the above prevent you from passing the block. Our classmates who failed anatomy had to take head and neck anatomy during dedicated. It doesn’t seem chill. Pass your exams.
Neurology- For those of us who have taken even one neuroscience course in undergrad, congratulations! This portion of the block will be a breeze for you. For the less fortunate, read the pertinent sections of “Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases” or “Clinical Neuroanatomy Made Ridiculously Simple.” You will likely have a UH neurology resident in your IQ group. Come with questions, because those people are great resources. Another great resource is this compilation of lectures intended for neurology residents, but it is available to all (need to find link). It may be overkill for Case’s curriculum, but you could use it for topics that you are less comfortable with.
Psychiatry- At this point, my mind was on research and dedicated. I studied for IQ and made sure that I knew the DSM-V criteria for every psych condition that was discussed in lecture and IQ.
Drugs- There are a smattering of drugs that you need to know throughout this block. Watch the corresponding Sketchy Pharm videos.
Histology- See block 5 histo recommendations.
Anatomy- As one of the more difficult parts of Block 6, I strongly advise you to take anatomy seriously. It is a combination of neuroanatomy and head/neck anatomy, with more focus on the latter. Unlike previous blocks, Block 6 anatomy features prosections. Because of this, you will spend the entire anatomy period learning, as opposed to figuring out what and where to cut. Another contrast to previous blocks is the faculty. Whereas Blocks 1-5 are taught by Dr. Wish-Baratz, Block 6 is taught by Dr. Croft. Their stylistic differences become apparent in lecture styles and the practical exams. I recommend that you go to each anatomy session ready to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Also make use of TA sessions and schedule tutoring if possible, as you will not be able to visit the lab without a TA in the room.
Block 7
Contributor(s): Obichi Onwukwe (’23)
Block 7 is one of the longitudinal parts of our curriculum. The structure block begins during block 1 and extends through the end of block 6. It encompasses GARLA, anatomy bootcamp, and histopathology. Since many aspects of this block involve in-person instruction, changes to the curriculum is evolving alongside the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the information below will be applicable only to in-person-style block activities, while others will reflect what we currently know regarding “Covid changes”
GARLA
Normally, our GARLA sessions involve rotating through 3 stations: Hololens, Radiology, and Living Anatomy/Ultrasound. In the setting of in-person instruction, these 3 stations will be squeezed into a 2 hour time frame. While remote, these will be separated, with Hololens sessions being live and the other two “stations” being provided as recordings to be viewed at your own time.
While some people choose not to review pre-work for lectures, this can actually be very helpful when it comes to GARLA. Case provides students with a subscription to Complete Anatomy, a 3D interactive anatomy application. Complete Anatomy allows you to add or remove layers of muscle, vessels, lymphatics, etc., in order to visualize different parts of the human body. You can use this app to briefly skim through some of the hit list items on the anatomy lab guide both before and after the Hololens sessions.
When it comes to studying for GARLA, the best advice is to keep up with the material throughout the block. The chances are, you will have a lot of block (1-6) information to review during the respective blocks so you do not want to begin cramming structure information close to exam time. Anki decks are especially helpful for this because you can make a deck for the hit lists after each Hololens session.
Histopathology
We have histopathology lectures during blocks 1-6. These lectures are generally accompanied by weekly, recorded review sessions. There are also histopathology quizzes that are weekly and required during block 1, but sparse and optional during the other blocks. During blocks 2-6, the histopath quizzes remain open so you can always go back to review them in preparation for exams. The recorded histopath review lectures can also be helpful. The most important thing to remember for histopath is to attend the end of block review sessions. This is the most high yield component of our histopath curriculum.
GARLA
Normally, our GARLA sessions involve rotating through 3 stations: Hololens, Radiology, and Living Anatomy/Ultrasound. In the setting of in-person instruction, these 3 stations will be squeezed into a 2 hour time frame. While remote, these will be separated, with Hololens sessions being live and the other two “stations” being provided as recordings to be viewed at your own time.
While some people choose not to review pre-work for lectures, this can actually be very helpful when it comes to GARLA. Case provides students with a subscription to Complete Anatomy, a 3D interactive anatomy application. Complete Anatomy allows you to add or remove layers of muscle, vessels, lymphatics, etc., in order to visualize different parts of the human body. You can use this app to briefly skim through some of the hit list items on the anatomy lab guide both before and after the Hololens sessions.
When it comes to studying for GARLA, the best advice is to keep up with the material throughout the block. The chances are, you will have a lot of block (1-6) information to review during the respective blocks so you do not want to begin cramming structure information close to exam time. Anki decks are especially helpful for this because you can make a deck for the hit lists after each Hololens session.
Histopathology
We have histopathology lectures during blocks 1-6. These lectures are generally accompanied by weekly, recorded review sessions. There are also histopathology quizzes that are weekly and required during block 1, but sparse and optional during the other blocks. During blocks 2-6, the histopath quizzes remain open so you can always go back to review them in preparation for exams. The recorded histopath review lectures can also be helpful. The most important thing to remember for histopath is to attend the end of block review sessions. This is the most high yield component of our histopath curriculum.