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Many students make the mistake of approaching Internal Medicine as one massive subject. Instead, the most effective way to study is system by system, focusing on one organ system per week. This approach prevents information overload and allows for deeper understanding of each specialty area.
Begin with high-yield topics such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal, as these systems make up a significant portion of board exams and real-world cases. Avoid jumping between unrelated subjects, as this can slow your retention and make it harder to see patterns in patient presentations.
TL;DR: Study system by system, focusing on high-yield topics first. Avoid randomly switching between subjects.
A common mistake is relying on a single study method, whether it be textbooks, lectures, or QBank questions. Instead, a layered approach ensures comprehensive learning.
This three-step process builds knowledge progressively, making it easier to recall and apply information on exams and in clinical settings.
TL;DR: Combine textbooks, notes, and practice questions for a well-rounded study plan.
Not all subjects are equally important. Cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and endocrine are the most frequently tested systems in Internal Medicine, making them essential areas of focus.
While it's tempting to study every possible condition in-depth, time is limited. Focus on common conditions that you will frequently encounter, such as heart failure, pneumonia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cirrhosis. Less frequently tested subjects, such as dermatology or rheumatology, should be reviewed but not prioritized.
TL;DR: Focus on the most tested systems and common conditions. Don't get lost in rare diseases.
Internal Medicine covers a wide range of topics, making it easy to fall behind. Without a structured plan, students often cram inefficiently and neglect key concepts.
The best approach is to set clear study goals for each week, ensuring steady progress. Break study sessions into manageable time blocks to maintain focus. For example, dedicate mornings to reviewing core content and afternoons to practice questions.
If you fall behind, adjust your schedule, but avoid completely skipping subjects. Consistency is key.
TL;DR: Set weekly study goals, break sessions into smaller blocks, and stay consistent.
Beyond textbooks and practice questions, real patient interactions provide some of the most valuable learning experiences. The cases you see in the hospital will stick with you far longer than anything you read in a book.
Take the opportunity to engage actively during rounds, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from real patient management. Keep a small notebook or app where you can jot down interesting cases, symptoms, or treatment decisions. Seeing these concepts in practice reinforces your understanding and helps you retain information better.
TL;DR: Use real patient cases to reinforce your learning. Take notes and ask questions during rounds.
It's easy to fall into the trap of resource overload. Some students use multiple textbooks, various online courses, and different QBank subscriptions, only to end up feeling scattered and overwhelmed.
Instead, choose one primary textbook or video series, one main QBank, and one secondary resource for clarifications. Stick with your chosen materials rather than constantly switching based on what others recommend.
TL;DR: Stick to a few trusted resources instead of using too many.
Many students fixate on QBank scores instead of focusing on learning. Early on, it's normal to miss a lot of questions. What matters most is understanding why you got them wrong and applying that knowledge.
If you find yourself getting discouraged by low scores, shift your focus to explanations and pattern recognition.
TL;DR: Learn from QBank explanations rather than obsessing over scores.
While it’s tempting to deep-dive into every topic, some conditions appear infrequently in both exams and clinical practice. Ask yourself: Would I see this in an Internal Medicine clinic? If the answer is no, deprioritize it.
TL;DR: Focus on high-yield topics and avoid excessive detail on rare conditions.
Don’t ignore practical learning
Passing exams is important, but Internal Medicine is about patient care. Clinical rotations are your opportunity to learn practical hospital skills like ordering medications, adjusting IV fluids, and interpreting lab results.
If you only focus on book knowledge and ignore hands-on experience, you may struggle in real-world scenarios.
TL;DR: Use rotations to develop practical clinical skills beyond textbook learning.
Internal Medicine preparation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is structured learning, focusing on high-yield topics, and using both study resources and real-world experience to reinforce knowledge.
To help you get started, we’ve put together:
✔️ A downloadable Internal Medicine Study Guide Template
✔️ The full webinar recording with Dr. Michael Lorinsky
✔️ Clinical Confidence - an essential resource to master practical hospital skills.
Dr. Micheal Lorinsky is a practicing Internist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he helps rotating students to prepare for their shelf and board exams.
As a contributor to Boards & Beyond, Dr. Mike is a co-author of the White Coat Companion and the voice behind the Clinical Confidence – Internal Medicine series.