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Premedtomed
Please reply don't be shy
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i really liked it. i used that along with goljans RR and that was overkill. i felt the lymphoproliferative disorders were not adequately covered, but the rest of the book was great. Avoid using FA for your path review.
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vtrain said:
why?
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The detail in FA is not enough. Its a good framework to orient yourself, but that's it. You need another review book for this setion unlike biochem, anat, embryo, and pharm where it would be enough to just use FA.Buckeye(OH) said:
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Premedtomed said:
Some people like following along in the relevant chapters while studying for 2nd year exams, but it's not a good resource for learning things the first time. It's so compressed and outlined that unless you have knowledge to fill in the gaps it's not going to make sense. Stick with your class notes and maybe Robbins Path to get the basics down, then the BRS books will make a lot more sense.
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have any of you had problems with path lectures at your school? We've had 2 so far, and they have been very vague. BRS Path is much more detailed than our Path lectures. I was under the assumption that you MUST have BRS Path memorized for step 1. So I have been reading robbins and annotating BRS Path, while also listening to goljan lectures. Am I going overboard? Or is my school (which is also PBL) not giving us ALL the path we need to know. I just dont want to overkill Path, so any suggestions will be helpful
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I haven't taken the Step 1 yet...am 14 days out, but I read through BRS Path C to C over the last two days and I really didn't get anything out of it, it was a series of nods and agreements followed by "is that all?" In my opinion the book leaves a ton to be desired and only gives the top headlines of most diseases without the details that are asked on Kaplan, USMLERx, or the NBME exams. In my opinion the best path resource is the Robbins Review of Pathology Question book...it is absolute gold. I think that going through your respective medical school path course and then going through this book and kaplan qbank or the USMLERX (my preference) is more than enough prep for the path on boards (or my perception of what boards will be like.) Then again, I only have the 2nd edition of the BRS book, maybe the structure has changed in the last publication.
As an aside...my study partner took his board exams yesterday and said that USMLERx is very much like the structure of the questions on the real exam with respect to difficulty, coverage of concepts, and depth of reasoning...advice i'm sure has been echoed in the threads of this website, but i thought i'd add it anyway.
As an aside...my study partner took his board exams yesterday and said that USMLERx is very much like the structure of the questions on the real exam with respect to difficulty, coverage of concepts, and depth of reasoning...advice i'm sure has been echoed in the threads of this website, but i thought i'd add it anyway.
I really liked using BRS path while taking Pathology in 2nd year. I'm someone who prefers outline to prose format. The questions at the end of each chapter weren't all that helpful, though. I also used Robbins Review book (big book of MCQs)--a must have. Also, I ordered Kaplan's QBank and did all the Path/Pathophysiology/Physio questions throughout Organ-Based pathology. It may be worth your while looking through the slender pocket Robbins. It's easy to carry around and sometimes I ended up reading that rather than big Robbins. Remember to get a good atlas. I ended up buying Wheater's but also had 2 atlases checked out from the library. I noticed in the bookstore the other day that Robbins has a new atlas. Pathology is truly an enjoyable course and have fun 2nd year!Premedtomed said:
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Considering that reading Robbins cover to cover is not a legitimate option for boards studying, BRS path is the next best reasonable option. There is also Goljan's stuff that many people swear by so that is also a legit way to go. Although I attribute a great chunk of my step score to first aid, if there is a subject to supplement, it has to be pathology.
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I didn't like BRS path, I thought it was like eating cardboard. I mean, it was hard and dry and I didn't get much out of it.
I used big Robbins durring my courses, I loved that book!!! and you gotta love the pictures. I made sure I really 'got it' durring each organ system, and I did pretty well in path. For step 1 review I went through Kaplan's path, which I preferred to BRS. Say what you like, I thought Kaplan was way better than BRS. More detail and better. When I was in doubt, I would dip into big Robbins briefly.
Then I went through the Robbins qbook and brother, you really get used to clinical scenarios after doing about 600 of those questions. It is indeed "gold" as was mentioned above.
Also, I went through all the pictures under WebPath during the year and so those images also were burned into my brain. I thought Goljan was ok, but he was irritating after a while and I thought he was not that good overall.
I used big Robbins durring my courses, I loved that book!!! and you gotta love the pictures. I made sure I really 'got it' durring each organ system, and I did pretty well in path. For step 1 review I went through Kaplan's path, which I preferred to BRS. Say what you like, I thought Kaplan was way better than BRS. More detail and better. When I was in doubt, I would dip into big Robbins briefly.
Then I went through the Robbins qbook and brother, you really get used to clinical scenarios after doing about 600 of those questions. It is indeed "gold" as was mentioned above.
Also, I went through all the pictures under WebPath during the year and so those images also were burned into my brain. I thought Goljan was ok, but he was irritating after a while and I thought he was not that good overall.
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"Big" Robbins is the huge 1200 page Robbins pathology book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...=pd_bbs_1/103-0322792-3378217?ie=UTF8&s=books
There is a smaller version, and then an even smaller pocket version. Then there is the Robbins question book.
Something for everyone. 😛
There is a smaller version, and then an even smaller pocket version. Then there is the Robbins question book.
Something for everyone. 😛
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Premedtomed said:
Does anyone think it would be worth it to spend double the price & get the new edition of BRS Path? I compared the two & all chapters (excluding one) are titled exactly the same. Thoughts...?
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Krazykritter said:
I used 2nd edition and never thought that the information was outdated or insufficient.
What's a gd method to study pathology for someone (fmg) whose medical curriculum did not emphaisse a heck alot of pathology ?
Is reading thru big robbins cover-to-cover worth the effort? Or am I better off going thru different review books and supplementing those with robbins?
Is reading thru big robbins cover-to-cover worth the effort? Or am I better off going thru different review books and supplementing those with robbins?
Have you thought about reading a review book and using Big Robbins as a reference source for topics in which you have a special interest? Big Robbins is kind of dense to read cover-to-cover. I thought it had too many details making it easy to miss the forest for the trees. I liked Pocket Robbins. There's also a "Basic" Robbins but never looked at the text myself.rice_boy said:
You don't have to buy one as long as you have a few. See if you can check them out from the library. Don't forget to use free internet sources (google webpath). If you buy Big Robbins they also have a good CD with some pictures.Premedtomed said:
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disclaimer: I haven't read the above postings because I'm lazy, but wanted to share my experience.
I never got around to "memorizing" BRS Path. I made sure to understand EVERY word in First Aid. If I didn't understand why it was there, I looked it up in a textbook (Robbins) because I found BRS Path to be inadequate in explaining.
Many people love BRS path, but I honestly don't understand why. I think there is enough stuff in First Aid to memorize and BRS path is overkill. I would, however, recommend Goljan lectures to help in the understanding of First Aid material.
I was all stressed that I didn't get to BRS Path and only focused on the info in FA, but ended up doing well (250+).
With all that said, to each their own. But don't freak out that you have to memorize that book. There is WAY too much detail in there, you will never memorize it all. However, some people may need the book to motivate them to understand all the words in first aid.
I never got around to "memorizing" BRS Path. I made sure to understand EVERY word in First Aid. If I didn't understand why it was there, I looked it up in a textbook (Robbins) because I found BRS Path to be inadequate in explaining.
Many people love BRS path, but I honestly don't understand why. I think there is enough stuff in First Aid to memorize and BRS path is overkill. I would, however, recommend Goljan lectures to help in the understanding of First Aid material.
I was all stressed that I didn't get to BRS Path and only focused on the info in FA, but ended up doing well (250+).
With all that said, to each their own. But don't freak out that you have to memorize that book. There is WAY too much detail in there, you will never memorize it all. However, some people may need the book to motivate them to understand all the words in first aid.
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Pathology is an important subject on the USMLE step 1, use a good book like the BRS path, I mean what else would you use? 
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thats my plan...I have been using his audio while annoting BRS path all along (and this has helped me rock path tests).....but I'm still deciding on whether or not it will be worth my time to at least read through rapid review before the boards.....that could just be my ocd talking though....we'll see....hucm2009 said:
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"multiple TOS violations"
BTW, we don't start school until the 6th or whatever the day after labor day is so im wondering if you can let me know how you are preparing for path since we seem to be on the same wavelength.
BTW, we don't start school until the 6th or whatever the day after labor day is so im wondering if you can let me know how you are preparing for path since we seem to be on the same wavelength.
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Premedtomed said:Thanks a lot Myt ( i am going to wait for a few more days before I buy one, but I think I would anyways - I want to be safe)
Now is not the time to be stingy either. If you might use a book for one chart on one page to make your life easier, I'd say do it.... we're talking like $30 for the review books. You don't want to not have it, and decide you want it but have it be sold out.
Step 1 is stressful enough, you shouldn't worry so much about $.
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myt said:
i agree... plus, you could always sell books that you never touch... and i would rather waste money on the rather inexpensive review books, than regret not buying a book...
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I had middle robbins (robbins basic path) for reference and ocassional reading during the year and didn't use much BRS path until I started studying for boards. I consider BRS path and Robbins Review (the question book) an essential pair. BRS is a fairly quick review of the stuff that was covered by my path class but the real learning was the question book. The great explanations really helped me to pick out the important points and recognize scenarios (there is repetition in some of the questions but I didn't mind). I used it exclusively and didn't have time in the end to use Qbank's path's questions.
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I didn't like BRS path; I preferred Rapid Review path (had both, never used BRS, used my path class exam notes instead since our path class was good).
Rapid Review has a lot of charts/tables that integrate concepts; really helpful if your courses don't do this for you, and you need to see e.g. all microorganisms that cause respiratory infections (bacteria, viruses, fungi). I thought it was good for a more visual learner who does not do well reading books cover to cover. If you're a big-time text-processing machine, then BRS should be lovely for you.
Rapid Review has a lot of charts/tables that integrate concepts; really helpful if your courses don't do this for you, and you need to see e.g. all microorganisms that cause respiratory infections (bacteria, viruses, fungi). I thought it was good for a more visual learner who does not do well reading books cover to cover. If you're a big-time text-processing machine, then BRS should be lovely for you.
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bigfrank said:
(* HamOn hears the distinct sound of a dead horse being beaten *)
👎
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How about using FA + Blackwell's Underground Clinical Vignettes for Pathophysiology vol. I, II, and III as an alternative to BRS Path?
Anyone have good experience with the UCV books?
Anyone have good experience with the UCV books?
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I was wondering what peoples experiences have been with UCV too? My understanding is that if they are used they should be used along with a review book such as BRS or RRS path since they are clinical vignettes and more along the lines of practice learning questions/cases. Have people found UCV to be helpful at all?
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I can't believe how long you guys have off.....I'll be near the end of my first month back at that time...Buckeye(OH) said:
Anyway...for path...here's what I do and what has helped me kick ass in it so far (we're a true systems curriculum so I had path in cardio, respiratory and renal in first year).
Take your notes from class and make sure you fully understand them, focusing on the mechanisms.
Look up and read in Robbins only what you were unclear on or not sure how to classify
Pick up the corresponding section in BRS path and make sure you understand everything in it....annotate some details about mechanism and how the associated signs/symptoms/etc are associated....this is so you won't just have a big list of facts when boards time comes around. Your teacher will likely go into more depth on most things...but don't feel compelled to write it all into BRS....just make sure you fully understand whats in there. The goal is to have the book fully prepared for complete board review w/o needing to look things up elsewhere during board prep time.
Listen to the Goljan audio files that correspond to your path lectures...but only listen to them as you get closer to the test, because he integrates a lot and some things won't make sense until you've had that whole system taught to you. I tend to do this on the treadmill or in the car around test time so I don't waste time sitting around listening to it. He's money for mechanisms and classification systems.
When you've done all this and already gone over your class notes before your test....do the Robbins review book questions and/or webpath. This will really test if you know your stuff and the explainations are excellent and cited to corresponding pages in big robbins. Read the explainations to every question, whether you got them right or wrong....they are an excellent review for your tests.
If you do all this you shouldn't get anything wrong on your schools path tests unless they test you on completely useless minutia and not in clinical vignettes. You will also be totally prepared for boards with BRS path being ready to go as a perfect study guide.
And yes...if you weren't sure....I am that nuts...
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