First Line | Pre-Med and Medical Student Professional Development and Mental Health

Episode 60. There are several medications available that are not associated with the risk of congenital anomalies, and the dangers of leaving depression untreated have a much more significant impact on the growing baby. Even if a woman does not want to start medication, there are other treatment options available that you can talk to your doctor about. I discuss risk factors for depression in pregnancy, barriers to care, the effects of depression on both the mother and baby, and the management of depression during pregnancy (involving medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes).

For more information:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046420

Visit First Line’s website and blog:https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠

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Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 59. I focus most on diabetes mellitus type 2, speaking about the specific management and monitoring that patients do themselves (like checking fasting and postprandial glucose) and monitoring done by physicians (like monofilament testing). Lifestyle changes are vital to managing diabetes and reducing the impact of other comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease. I cover many of the most common medications used in diabetes, including metformin, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinedione, and insulin. I also mention a few misconceptions about diabetes and what aspects of diabetes are stigmatized.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 58. I discuss the physiology of insulin in the body and what causes diabetes (type 1 and 2). Another topic covered is how complications of diabetes arise, such as neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. I also answer the following common questions:

• How is diabetes diagnosed?
• What are the risk factors of diabetes?
• How can I prevent diabetes?
• What is the management if I am diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes?

Visit First Line’s website and blog:⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com

For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 57. The episode covers my experience taking COMLEX Level 2, with a recording from right after the exam and after my score release. I cover tips for studying, what topics I wish I would have looked at more, how to keep energy during the test day for eight blocks of questions, and how to predict your score before taking the exam.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 56. I discuss my initial thoughts right after taking the USMLE Step 2 and tips about studying and strategy on test day (what to incorporate into your routine leading up to test day, what to eat/drink on test day, how to approach biostatistics, how to pace yourself, when to take breaks and much more). Then I share my results compared to predictions from my practice tests.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com

For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 55. Now that Level 1 and Step 1 are scored pass/fail without a numerical score, other factors in students' residency applications are becoming much more significant. Think about the following starting on day 1: research experience, extracurricular involvement, and leadership. While going through medical school, you must focus on your grades first and foremost but also consider exploring different specialty options and know which one is right for you early enough to build a strong resume for applications in the last year of medical school.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: www.firstlinepodcast.com

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 54. I cover frequently asked questions, including the following:

"What is the most efficient way to study?"

"Should I attend lectures if it is optional?"

"What is Anki, and should I use it?"

I also discuss what you can get out of textbooks, whether you should join a study group, what to get out of orientation, and how to take notes effectively.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast⁠.com

For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 53. I recorded this series just weeks after completing all my core clerkships in my third year of medical school.

Hear tips for each rotation: general surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology), psychiatry, internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, and OMM. I talk about how to prepare for each rotation and some rotation-specific insight into preparing for the shelf/COMAT exams.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://poddcaststudios.wixsite.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

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Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 52. The subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) include seasonal affective disorder, atypical depression, substance-induced MDD, and MDD with psychotic features. Other depressive disorders covered include persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), minor depressive disorder, postpartum depression, and adjustment disorder.

Visit First Line’s website and blog:⁠⁠⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 51. I discuss what everyone needs to know about major depressive disorder (MDD), including risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Visit First Line’s website and blog:⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com

For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.