Returning to MS3 year after time away - Advice?

I was trying to write a long and helpful reply, but my phone is screwing with me. So instead I'll stick with the core message: don't worry. No one expect much from an MS3. You're only just starting. All that stuff you learned about c5b-9 or the alternate pathway of complement activation trained you to deal with large amounts of informations, but isn't essential to day-to-day medical practice. If you're enthousiastic and willing to learn you'll do just fine. If you absolutely must study something, remember that common things are common. MS3 is about learning to take a history and PE, so look at the main diagnoses for the service you're starting with and find out what to ask, what to examine and what the red flags are. Bonus points if you practice presenting findings somewhat coherently. However, no one will expect you to connect all the dots (though we appreciate it if you show you gave it a try). Good luck!

Know everything about your patient. Bonus points if you know anything else. Don't panic.

At the school I will be attending, returning MS3s go to "boot camp" focusing on how to take a physical, write a note, and do a presentation. They get doctors from medicine and surgery to basically make them practice these things...

I'd pick up a copy of a Step 1 review book and flip through it. Don't obsess, just make sure all the words are familiar. I had some trouble with that on my internal medicine rotation as an M3 - several things that were newly discovered in the time I spent in research, or that had gone from minor to common diagnostic studies.

I just finished a MD/PhD and coming back to year 3, I was also nervous. The best advice was, that as medical student, no one really expects much from you. I found the additional years of life experience and working had made me more responsible and professional which a several attendings and residents had noticed.

My school suggested a 4 week summer elective in familiy medicine and I found it helped. I had the time to practice the basics again. I would also suggest choosing a track where you can start of in ambulatory settings, say with family medicine first, and then move into the hospital, with preferrably psychiatry first. I did general surgery and medicine last and was up to speeed by then.

One of the harder parts will be an outsider to your class, who will have bonded together in the first two years. Its helpful to make an effort to get to know at least a few people. The community around you makes a big difference.

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