Physiology Resources

[Darkskies]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone,

I'm a current MS2 and I am planning on taking the USMLE in June. Does anyone know what is a solid resource for the physiology tested on the boards? FA seems to not really go into much detail on the subject. I've been trying to go through BRS Physio but the chapters are very long and it would take forever to memorize that whole book. Am I approaching this in the wrong way? Should I just try to read through BRS Physio without focusing too much on retaining everything(such as the equations) in it? Should I just do the questions in the book? Thanks in advance!

 

[Transposony]

You answered your own question. It's not about memorizing but understanding and applying the concept(s) on the test.
Pick the book which suits your learning style.

 

[Darkskies]

Thanks for the reply, Transposony. What are some physiology resources that people use, especially considering that there's only about 6 months left to be well prepared for the boards? I know that 6 months should be enough time but I don't feel like my first semester of 2nd year has been very board relevant(classes are not taught as well as they were first year) so I'm anxious that I don't have as great a foundation.

I get the impression that for the Step 1 it's about using your time WELL and not wasting it on books or resources that go into too much detail as compared to what and how information will be tested on the exam.

So, do most people read through all the chapters and do all the practice questions in BRS Physio in addition to FA? What resources is everyone using?

 

[notbobtrustme]

I feel like BRS Physio is all you would need. I used it for my physio class and honored it.

 

[001100010010011]

Is physio HY or is everything you need to understand well highlighted in UWorld?

 

[Myxedema]

Is physio HY or is everything you need to understand well highlighted in UWorld?

I feel that without a solid understanding of physiology, it isn't possible to master pathology or pharmacology. For example, if one does not know the physiology of phosphate metabolism, understanding disorders of parathyroid glands would be, at best, superficial. Just as UW alone would not suffice for pathology, I don't think it will be enough by itself to cover physiology.

 

[Transposony]

Thanks for the reply, Transposony. What are some physiology resources that people use, especially considering that there's only about 6 months left to be well prepared for the boards? I know that 6 months should be enough time but I don't feel like my first semester of 2nd year has been very board relevant(classes are not taught as well as they were first year) so I'm anxious that I don't have as great a foundation.

I get the impression that for the Step 1 it's about using your time WELL and not wasting it on books or resources that go into too much detail as compared to what and how information will be tested on the exam.

So, do most people read through all the chapters and do all the practice questions in BRS Physio in addition to FA? What resources is everyone using?

A major part of step 1 is Pathophysiology. Therefore, to answer these questions you must know Physiology COLD.
As you said it's about using your time well. However, it is even more important that you spend as little time thinking of an answer on the real test. That is only possible if you know the normal Physiology like the back of you hand. For example, those up & down arrow questions can only be answered correctly if you know ALL of that system's physiology.
People usually use Costanzo, Kaplan or BRS Physiology but have a look at each of them to see which one suits your learning style.
Some people use Kaplan since they would like to watch the Kaplan videos to get a better understanding of the subject but some don't find them much useful.
Hope this helps.