BRS or first Aid Physiology?

[mossyfiber12]

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I am an M1 and would like to use a review book for class. I also want to use a review book that's thorough enough to cover all the relevant stuff for the USMLE. Which books would you all recommend? I have heard good things about BRS and First Aid. I also heard the Elsevier Integrated Physiology is written by one of the USMLE test makers(??) so might that be a better choice? Thanks in advance for your inputs/suggestions 🙂

 

[jackets5]

I am an M1 and would like to use a review book for class. I also want to use a review book that's thorough enough to cover all the relevant stuff for the USMLE. Which books would you all recommend? I have heard good things about BRS and First Aid. I also heard the Elsevier Integrated Physiology is written by one of the USMLE test makers(??) so might that be a better choice? Thanks in advance for your inputs/suggestions 🙂

go with RR phys it is outstanding. BRS is good to but personally i like RR better than the BRS

 

[MilkmanAl]

I don't know anything about First Aid, but the BRS is fantastic for my classes. I don't like the Rapid Review so much, but to each his own, I guess.

 

[mossyfiber12]

is there a website where I can find students' reviews of review books or board review books in general?

 

[InspireMe]

Well the only reviews I know of are on Amazon 😀, other than that try looking on the SDN forums, especially those related to board review. Personally I've been using BRS physiology and the Cases in Physiology by the same author, I've read somewhere on the forums that Costanza (BRS author) also helps write questions for the boards, maybe its true maybe its not but all I know is I really like this book and its easy reading. If you're not sure what book works best for you why not try borrowing a copy from your school library and seeing if it works for you? Compare for yourself. I can usually tell in the first couple pages whether a books style connects with me or not. No matter how highly regarded a resource is, if doesn't work for you then its not worth your time. Hope you find what you're looking for. 😉

 

[Captain Fantastic]

is there a website where I can find students' reviews of review books or board review books in general?

First Aid has a review/ranking of the review books. I have both First Aid and BRS Physiology and both were good for my physiology block, FWIW.

 

[PenguinHead]

I'd recommend the BRS. Definitely.

 

[Brett5]

I second BRS phys. It was perfect for class and the boards. First Aid was pretty good too, and I used it for Step 1. But I also broke the BRS back out for step 1.

 

[Vonsmack]

+1 for BRS phys. I would highly recommend using the full textbook written by the same author Linda Constanza as a supplement to your class. It's an easy read, good diagrams. BRS is a condensed version of the full text, so to have a complete understanding you gotta go with the text (unless your prof's notes are suffice). BRS phys is a good quick review, but thats exactly what it is- a review.

 

[mossyfiber12]

We actually use the Costanzo book for our Phys class so I am leaning toward Rapid Review Phys- I checked it out at the bookstore and it seemed like it had more diagrams and had a better layout...but then again if I can find a cheap BRS Phys book, I will take that as well 🙂

 

[meister]

Not to make you guys jealous or anything but I actually have a meeting with Dr. Costanzo next week to discuss physiology studying methods. Suck it!

PS Go BRS so I can tell her I'm helping her with retirement.

 

[MilkmanAl]

That's okay. We have Burns and Tank and used to have Cave 'til he retired. 😀