Pathoma Notes vs. Videos/Lectures

[Darkskies]

So, I've been reading the corresponding Pathoma chapters along with my Pathology class material throughout the year. I haven't listened to a single Pathoma video yet. I've recently found out that you have to absolutely make sure to listen to all the Pathoma videos in order to get the most out of the book. Is this true? Has what I've learned from Pathoma insufficient so far or am I actually not that behind? How can I catch up at this point, considering I have a lot of exams and classes too. Thanks!

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[notbobtrustme]

His book is like 10% of the material. His videos are where the money is at.

Most of the chapters are about an hour or so long, but they are jammed with information. You yawn and you might miss an entire section of pathology. Definitely worth it if you want to grind out 4-6 hours over the weekend.

 

[Darkskies]

On USMLE-Forums I found a similar thread where someone said there wasn't much more information in his videos than what's in his book. However, it seems like going through the videos helps you retain the information better due to his style of teaching. Is this not the case? I definitely plan on going through the videos but don't want to feel like having gone through the book chapters on my own is/was a waste of time.

 

[Leonidis I]

Only reading pathoma and not watching the vids is like reading the screenplay of a great movie but not actually watching the movie itself

 

[Bancrofti]

You wouldn't have wasted time necessarily, but you're correct in saying that the videos do help to retain the information. I remember when I was taking path there were a couple times were I remembered something because of the way he drew something out in a video... and I watched Pathoma on 2x speed without giving it a great deal of focus. It's rare that something is explained so well that it only takes one time for you to understand it... and Pathoma provides that for a decent number of topics if you watch the videos alongside the book.

As far as additional information, there is minimal true note taking needed. Sometimes he elaborates on something or if you want to draw the image he draws out I guess that could help you. I personally don't write a ton, because I like to focus on what's there and my highlighting is focused mostly on the things he specifically says are high yield, which helps when answering questions, because that info is often present in the stem. There might have been one or 2 corrections, the only one I remember him saying was the book saying an intracytoplasmic bridge for something that was supposed to be intercytoplasmic. It will take you more time to watch the videos as well, but I don't think you're really getting the true utility of the program if only reading the book.

 

[Iatrike]

Yes I would concur with Bancrofti and the others that have stated that the videos should not be left out of the use of Pathoma. They've been extremely helpful. I can feel the difference when I do not cover Pathoma in this way for a particular unit's pathology.

 

[900829]

Solution - You could give it a try by watching one or two videos, and you could determine if watching the videos is beneficial or not.

 

[NeuroLAX]

Dr. Sattar's conceptual drawings are super helpful. He often goes into a little bit more detail than what is written in the notes, but still reads a lot straight from his book. I would watch the videos even if only for the drawings and further explanations. Give it a try and see if it is for you.

 

[NeedToStudy]

You wouldn't have wasted time necessarily, but you're correct in saying that the videos do help to retain the information. I remember when I was taking path there were a couple times were I remembered something because of the way he drew something out in a video... and I watched Pathoma on 2x speed without giving it a great deal of focus. It's rare that something is explained so well that it only takes one time for you to understand it... and Pathoma provides that for a decent number of topics if you watch the videos alongside the book.

As far as additional information, there is minimal true note taking needed. Sometimes he elaborates on something or if you want to draw the image he draws out I guess that could help you. I personally don't write a ton, because I like to focus on what's there and my highlighting is focused mostly on the things he specifically says are high yield, which helps when answering questions, because that info is often present in the stem. There might have been one or 2 corrections, the only one I remember him saying was the book saying an intracytoplasmic bridge for something that was supposed to be intercytoplasmic. It will take you more time to watch the videos as well, but I don't think you're really getting the true utility of the program if only reading the book.

This is like completely irrelevant but if that picture is real it's good to see a hot medical student like you!

 

[001100010010011]

Buy it. It's worth it. He deserves the money.

 

[Bancrofti]

Ha, no, it isn't me.


And OP I actually am re-reviewing Pathoma at the moment and one of the only sections where there there is a decent amount left out is the CNS section. So definitely make sure you pay attention for that one.

 

[Iatrike]

What do you supplement those sections with?

Also, what other resources are you guys studying for Pathology to supplement your pathology in addition to Pathoma? Or is Pathoma enough?

 

[900829]

What do you supplement those sections with?

Also, what other resources are you guys studying for Pathology to supplement your pathology in addition to Pathoma? Or is Pathoma enough?

Minimize your sources (I learned my lesson). Pathoma is more than enough, no supplements.

 

[Iatrike]

Minimize your sources (I learned my lesson). Pathoma is more than enough, no supplements.

That's great advice. But no Kaplan or BRS Pathology?

 

[900829]

That's great advice. But no Kaplan or BRS Pathology?

Nah, no kaplan. They teach the same material, so if you watch both, you are wasting time.
Pathoma and Goljan are the most lionized path sources. Choose one of them and stick to that one only.

 

[Iatrike]

Yes I mostly stuck to Pathoma -- I tried Kaplan Pathology early on but didn't find it nearly as great as Pathoma. Dr. Sattar is a great substitute I believe also because he spent over 10 years teaching for Kaplan if I recall.

 

[Taels]

What about Rapid Review Pathology + Pathoma? Is it a good combo?

 

[Apoplexy__]

What about Rapid Review Pathology + Pathoma? Is it a good combo?

I'm planning on doing Pathoma + Goljan RR's blue notes (only; not the full text). Got the idea reading posts on this forum. Plus, more pictures of the pathologies could never hurt.

 

[Coffee Machine]

I would recommend going through Pathoma once with the videos making sure to annotate the extra stuff he mentions and to highlight things that he specifically says are high yield. After that, I think you'd be fine rereading the book alone (you can go much faster and should get all he important info from the lectures).

Just my two cents. It's what I'm doing.

 

[notbobtrustme]

What about Rapid Review Pathology + Pathoma? Is it a good combo?

It's what I'm doing. Love pathoma, but sometimes, you need the gritty details that Goljan provides.

 

[Ismet]

You definitely need to watch the videos to get the full value of Pathoma. My book is well-annotated with just stuff he says in videos that's not written in the text. Plus, he often says which concepts are super high-yield for boards and draws things out. For boards studying, I'm probably just going to go through the book again, maybe re-watching the videos for my weak areas.

Pathoma is my main source for studying pathology, but I'll usually look through BRS path for the questions and occasionally RR if I need more detail.

 

[001100010010011]

Yes. Pure gold = when he connects topics to previous sections. These examples are usually not in the text but are in the video.

Just buy it. Totally worth it.

 

[pdxhopeful]

I'll often watch the vids before 'formal' study, just because I feel like the videos are great for getting me to understand the larger picture (not that there isn't detail) of how X interacts with Y and the higher speeds keep me from driftng. Adding on the more must-memorize details gets a lot easier then.

 

[900829]

Bottom line, watch the videos. Let me tell u why.
In his book, a clinical feature for emphysema is "prolonged expiration with pursed lips (pink puffer)". He doesn't explain what that means in his book, but in the video, he goes in depth and draws as well. That way, you are not memorizing it, you are understanding it.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Iatrike]

What about Rapid Review Pathology + Pathoma? Is it a good combo?

It's a great combination. I did this for a few exams and it helped. One thing I've found is to do Pathoma first and Goljan last. Pathoma lays down the foundational understanding and detail-groundwork. I would go through it more than once and then before the exam lay Goljan Rapid Review Pathology over the understanding I built. Then, Goljan for me would fill in all of the details and tie everything together, but if I studied it too early I'd tend to focus too much on the details I didn't yet understand and it would take a long time since it's very comprehensive. Hope that helps.

 

[chickensoupdr]

I am watching the videos while taking notes by hand, but it is taking quite a long time. In addition to the Pathoma book, is there a set of notes from the video lectures floating around?