The holidays are quickly approaching and it’s time for my annual list of gift suggestions for medical students, residents and physicians.
- Top of the list this year (for good reason) is the iPad mini. I started rounding with an iPad several months ago and was instantly converted. The iPad mini is even better because it fits in my white coat pocket! I am able to pull up my patient list on our EMR and access lab values and images as I’m walking from room to room. I can also use it to show families the images, or pull up images from the web to help explain complicated concepts. For students (and all of us) an iPad gives you instant access to information to help in decision making. Most hospitals (if not all) have wi-fi, so the “starter” (i.e. least expensive) version is fine. There is a big advantage to have 3G capability if you aren’t around wi-fi (just like your phone), but it will add a monthly fee.
- For avid readers (of non-medical works), consider a Kindle, Nook, or other electronic reader. (If you are considering an iPad, it can be used as a reader, so this would be redundant). These devices can easily go into a backpack or call bag and make it easy to take 5-minute breaks from studying or work.
- A gift card from Starbucks. or a personal coffee maker like the Black and Decker brew and go coffee maker, or “k-cup” brewers like Keurig or Tassimo. The Areopress coffeemaker is another very affordable option.
- If you get a gift card to Starbucks (or need a clever way to deliver cash or another gift card), put it in a coffee prescription mug, a mug with eponyms, a “Be Nice, I could be your doctor someday” mug, or an “Atlas of a Medical Student brain” mug.
- A new suitcase. This is particularly important for medical students or residents who will be facing a round of residency or fellowship interviews in the in next year or two (but will be appreciated by anyone!)
- A maid or housecleaning service once a week. No one in medical school or residency has time to clean (or likes it)! This will be one of the most appreciated gifts you’ve ever given someone. Along the same lines, consider a certificate for cleaning or doing laundry once a month (if you are inclined to do it yourself for them.)
- Ties are usually required on the wards for men. Good, professional ties will always be a welcome present. Consider interesting medical ties like the human cell tie, x-ray and ortho themed ties or a human genome tie. I’m not about to get into the (often heated) discussion about bow ties in medicine, but if you are considering a tie as a present, you might want to ask about bow ties before you buy. No matter what kind of tie you choose, pick one with a subtle theme that you have to look at twice. Don’t get a tie with a caduceus or that’s really blatant (stethoscopes, etc).
- All students and residents need good, professional clothes – a gift certificate to a big department store is a good way to let them add to their wardrobe.
My personal favorite – it rolls away and you have to chase it!
- Membership to a gym for a year. Working out is important both for physical and mental health during medical training. But – unless you know which gym is the closest to where they live (or most used by their friends), it might be better to create a homemade “gift certificate” and let them decide.
- Anything to help promote more exercise. A bicycle to commute to school or the hospital? A gift box with exercise equipment? Yoga classes? New running shoes?
- Electronic speakers for their computer to listen to music while studying. Along the same lines, add in a subscription to Pandora One to create and listen to internet radio stations without commercials.
- Appliances to help with fast, healthy cooking. Top of my list would be a pressure cooker – either stovetop (which is what I use) or electric. Another great choice for the money may be the Krups multicooker that is a rice cooker, steamer and slow cooker all in one.
- A gift certificate to Whole Foods (or any grocery store that makes take out food), or a healthy prepared food service. In Houston, we have My Fit Foods, Snap Kitchen, Diet Gourmet, Real Meals 365 and several other services. These types of businesses exist in almost every major city and can be easily found on the internet.
- How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman. This is a great read for anyone in medicine, but especially for students and residents.
- Any (or all) of Atul Gawande’s books or Abraham Verghese’s books
- Collectable stuffed microbes
- Plush anatomy dolls – particularly appropriate for those who have already chosen a specialty.
- Medical art from streetanatomy.com
- And – the always appropriate… Visa, Mastercard or Amazon gift card. Or, give them a “prescription” for cash.
