The American College of Physicians (ACP), the nation's largest medical-specialty society, has released "Internal Medicine Essentials for Clerkship Students 2007-2008," produced in collaboration with the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM). Based on a national curriculum, the textbook is an authoritative educational resource to augment learning during the third-year internal medicine clerkship.
"Internal Medicine Essentials" covers the common problems and disorders a student is likely to see on the internal medicine rotation. The textbook has a publicly accessible Web component with additional clinical photos, tables, screening tools and other instruments.
"Internal Medicine Essentials" is unique in that it was created by faculty who helped design the internal medicine clerkship curriculum and who are actively involved in teaching and advising students on the internal medicine clerkship. The textbook was written by 67 authors representing 49 different medical schools. The editor-in-chief is Patrick C. Alguire, MD, FACP, director of education and career development for the American College of Physicians.
"Internal Medicine Essentials" helps students care for patients, prepare for clinical rounds, and study for the end-of-rotation examination. It is organized around the major training problems that are included in the nationally recognized Core Medicine Clerkship Curriculum Guide. Content is derived almost entirely from two evidence-based resources published and managed by ACP: the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) and the Physician Information and Education Resource (PIER).
"Learning about internal medicine -- the specialty providing comprehensive care to adults -- in the third year of medical school is an important experience, regardless of what specialty the medical student ultimately pursues. Through publication of this book and other efforts on behalf of students, ACP is promoting medical knowledge and professionalism early in the medical career," said Dr. Alguire.
ACP also supports medical student learning through complimentary Medical Student Membership, sponsorship of a national clinical competition and residency fair, a Council of Student Members, and study resources such as MKSAP for Students 3. ACP also addresses public policy issues related to the concerns of medical students.
ACP (Doctors of Internal Medicine. Doctors for Adults.®) is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. Membership includes more than 120,000 internists, related subspecialists, and medical students. ACP works to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.
The Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (www.im.org/CDIM) is the national organization of individuals responsible for teaching internal medicine to medical students. Founded in 1989, CDIM promotes excellence in the education of medical students and serves internal medicine faculty and staff.
"Internal Medicine Essentials for Medical Students" can be ordered via the ACP Web site https://www.acponline.org/atpro/timssnet/catalog/books/ime.htm; or contact the ACP Customer Service Department at 215-351-2600 (M-F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET). The ACP product number is 330361030; ISBN is 1-930513-82-8. List price is $49.95; ACP Medical Student Members receive a $10.00 discount. The softcover book has 278 pages.