First Aid 2004 vs. 2006 -- worth getting the new one?

[Rbrav]

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Hello. I'm an MS2 taking Step 1 in a few months. I have the 2004 First Aid, and I was wondering if it was worth picking up the 2006 edition. I figure there's not much change over just one year, but over two years, it might be worth considering. Thanks!

 

[JunkintheTrunk]

i have the 2004 too, b/c i'm cheap, and i bought it at the beginning of last year....i'm curious too 😛 i couldn't see things really changing that much though...i heard some stuff was actually dropped out of this book, but who can hate you for knowing TOO much 😉

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Hello. I'm an MS2 taking Step 1 in a few months. I have the 2004 First Aid, and I was wondering if it was worth picking up the 2006 edition. I figure there's not much change over just one year, but over two years, it might be worth considering. Thanks!

Several others on this forum had the same concerns. There was a good debate about it for a few days. Look it up. It wasn't too long ago.

If you ask me, I'd say DEFINITELY get the 2006 version, especially if your school teaches using a systems-based curriculum. I bought the 2005 edition when it first came out and used it alongside 1st year classes. I didn't write too much into it b/c I knew I'd be getting the 2006 version during 2nd year (plus, I wrote A LOT into my BRS Path which I didn't plan on updating). Also, the 2006 version has corrected some minor mistakes found in the older versions of FA as well as "beef-up" certain sections. As far as I've noticed, only a few diagrams have been removed yet ~40 more pages has been added.

Moral of the story: Stop being cheap and get the new one! G'luck

 

[loveumms]

If its the only book you are going to use then I would spend the money to get the new one. When I took it last year I had an old addition of first aid and then bought a new step up and used them together (plus pharm and bug cards and a behavioral science review book which I skimmed the day before).

 

[raptor5]

If you ask me, I'd say DEFINITELY get the 2006 version, especially if your school teaches using a systems-based curriculum. I bought the 2005 edition when it first came out and used it alongside 1st year classes. I didn't write too much into it b/c I knew I'd be getting the 2006 version during 2nd year (plus, I wrote A LOT into my BRS Path which I didn't plan on updating). Also, the 2006 version has corrected some minor mistakes found in the older versions of FA as well as "beef-up" certain sections. As far as I've noticed, only a few diagrams have been removed yet ~40 more pages has been added.

Moral of the story: Stop being cheap and get the new one! G'luck

Don't waste your money. Are you relying on the differences b/t the two editions to bump you from a 200 to a 240? New edition means some updating and changes to reflect what PAST exams (Not this exam) emphasized. The publisher releases new editions so people with the 2004 edition think its outdated and buy the new one. This increases their yearly revenue due to return customers. In the end you are gonna do what you want. If buying the new edition makes you feel more at ease and gives you the confidence you need then hey go for it. IMO the First Aid book should only be used to review things you already KNOW. If you don't know it then you are memorizing a fact that maybe you can hold onto long enough to pass the boards only to forget it when you need to understand it the most, after boards.

 

[lilmo]

I'm sticking to my good old 2004 edition. I'm approaching the boards with a subject based plan of study so I think it'll fit better.

I was flipping through the new 2006 edition in the bookstore the other day and some employee came up to me and basically said if i was going to read it in the store i better buy the book. now i'm definitely not going to buy it out of spite.

 

[vtrain]

Honestly, how much can the material change in two years? I find it amusing that people always feel the need to buy the most latest and up to date edition. I borrowed a friends 2006 and compared it to my 2004 and found VERY little difference in material. It basically had a few extra pages and some rearrangement in material - that's it. Ive been annotating my 2004 since 1st year and Im not about to fall into the trap of getting the 2006 version out of fear that I'll be missing that extra material or studying "outdated" material that will bring my score up from a 200 to 240. Come on. If you were sporting around the 1998 edition (which I looked at the other day and it wasn't even all that different), I might say get the new one but your 2004 one will be fine. Save the $$ for your celebratory drinks after you slay Step 1 with your "old" version of FA 👍

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

As an above poster said, the change to an organ-based organization is the main reason why I got the 2006 edition, since this is the way my school teaches the material.