I am 16, I am interested in the medical field, what kind of stuff could I be reading to learn more?

OK, confusing question I know. But I have been thinking about reading medical journals. Does anyone know where I could find some good ones? Or a list of medical terminology that I can be learning? Or a list of rare and common diseases that I can research? What are some good websites for young, prospective medical students?

I am 16, I am interested in the medical field, what kind of stuff could I be reading to learn more?
Best thing you can do is stay on top of your studies. When college hits, it will be a very competitive, new ball game. Pre-med students are notorious for doing whatever it takes for an A, so be careful.





I would focus on the basics to start, in my experience most pre-meds struggle with chemistry, so if you have a chance to take a high school course, it may give you a headstart and the concepts will not be so new. You can take an anatomy course, but at this level it would only scrape the surface of what you would need to know. The best thing you can do is talk to physicians and get first hand experience of what their day is like. The suggestion of volunteering is an EXCELLENT idea. Most medical schools require volunteer/clinical experience, so the sooner you can start the better. Learn the basic biology as well, you will hear about the cell and it's functions quite a few times during your undergraduate, so you better make sure it's something you can stand listening to a few dozen times.





I was a pre-med student and my biggest mistake is I forgot to make the experience enjoyable, so you can be focused and do well in school....but don't forget why you're doing it. I forgot that I love science, hopefully you won't make the same mistake.
Reply:You can start at the library. If your town has a medical school you can check out books there. If not, then any good library will have science, biology, chemistry books, etc.


For the websites just Google whatever it is you want to study and something will come up...probably more than you ever want to know!


Good luck!
Reply:Read all Yahoo answers under headings


Medicine


Disease conditions


Health
Reply:Your best bet is to volunteer at your local hospital or medical center. From there you can talk with doctors, nurses, and receptionists and ask their opinion on good medical sources. I know that that hospital by me allows you to browse their library of books, pamphlets, and medical encyclopedias. Good luck!
Reply:Hello djkltt12,


I am in the exact same boat as you are, and have had exactly the same question! There are two things you can do.





The first is what I am doing, and that is to realize you have to go through premedical or some kind of a bachelor's degree before you get into medical school. You have to do really well in the premedical classes or science classes in college, as well as the MCAT test that you take prior to applying for medical schools. These science classes are not necessarily medically related and can be anything from chemistry to physics. So instead of focusing on the medical sciences, I am trying to be well learned in a wide variety of sciences, reading many books and going a little bit farther into the science textbooks than we do in class....





The second choice is probably what you would rather do, and that is to jump directly into the medical sciences. For this, I would strongly, strongly recommend for you to first learn anatomy. Jumping into anything else makes everything really confusing. For example, when I first decided I wanted to be a medical student, I got this huge textbook on the essentials of medicine, but the terminology and level was far too advanced for starting out. Starting out with anatomy, I feel will give you (and me) some great background knowledge to start.





Good luck friend
Reply:First I would get ahold of an anatomy and physiology book, the basics so that you know where everything is located. You can always check out issues of the American Medical Journal for the latest news. For diseases you might try the CDC website? You can pretty much find information on everything thanks to the internet.
Reply:You should be reading biology or human anatomy. Also, you should try to go to hospitals to help out the doctors, so you could have some experience.
Reply:if you're really interested in medical journals you might want to ask your librarian (try the one at your high school first. If he/she doesn't help, go to your county library) what kind of access your state has to online journals. A lot of states have compiled huge databases of journal articles with a search button and give you FREE access to otherwise pricey journals. You can search from the comfort of your own home on a wide array of medical topics. Your local library should have the New England Journal of Medicine (always a fascinating read).





You can also check out local thrift stores ( or your public library) for old text books. Anatomy, physiology, and psychology ones are especially interesting, and there's usually enough in there that you can pick and choose chapters rather (as opposed to, say, chemistry or physics where you really need the background courses first).





I'm in college now and have been fascinated with medicine since i was about 10. These are the best websites i have found:





1. Student Doctor Network


Independent volunteer resource with forums that give the inside scoop from prehealth, medical, and dental students about schools and other related topics.


www.studentdoctor.net





2.AMSA - American Medical Student Association www.amsa.org





3.Association of American Medical College's student page


www.aamc.org/students/start.htm





Hope this helps! Good luck





(p.s. I just started a book called "Becoming a Doctor." It's about this doctor's experiences during his residency. It's a good one)
Reply:First for fun - "The House of God". A must read for any aspiring doc.





Second, just take it easy and read medical news reports and stuff online. Pay attention to medical stuff and when you hear something or are curious about something medical, go to Wikipedia.com. Journals are way too convoluted and won't help at all at your age (don't help much at mine either and I'm in Medical school)





Trick is to get some face time in a doctors office or hospital. Don't waste your time on big bumbling books that you will never read. Trust me.......there will come a time to read all the thick books later. For now I would advise not wasting your parents money on stuff you will certainly buy in about 7 years anyway.





Seriously, right now just use Wikipedia - they even have a page dedicated to medical terminology. No joke - I have used Wikipedia as an adjunct to almost every subject in medical school. I love it.
Reply:Don't stress the Medical stuff yet...just keep your eyes on the prize and stay on top of your Biology and Chemistry studies...All the terminology and that will come when you you get to University and Med SChool, so there's no point in learning it all now..What you COULD do is visit the bookstore of the closest University and browse through their Med School Texts or ask at the Med School what general intro texts they recommend..
Reply:Just go to a bookstore and pick out books involved with medicine and get a broad view on medicine so later on you can see what kind of doctor you want to be. Good luck, lol I want to be a doctor too and I'm 16 and I guess I'm decent in medicine...

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