Right now, it's between rapid review physio and Brs physio. Amazon has reviews for both and they're not really helping much. Did anyone use these books? If so, would you kindly comment on their usefulness and relevance to the subject? I here the rapid review one has quite an integrated approach which times in a few subjects from different areas like pharm, which would be useful for the step 1. Brs physio i also hear may be what some call the gold standard...I'd ask the older students at my school for advice, but generally, they don't really say much useful info. could just be them though. Thanks for any advice given.
Physiology Review books...which one to choose?
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Brs.
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BRS phys is one of the best review books out there.
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you might also try the cases and problems from BRS too. If you are trying to reveiw for a shelf or something, that and BRS will be money.
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I like BRS, but going through it now in preparation for final exam and nbme, it almost seems like there isn't as much depth. I'm hoping that is a good sign and indicating that I simply learned the material really well...It is very easy to read. My only problem is that the questions at the end of each chapter are either way too easy or borderline trivia.
The case book is fun though. I got to borrow it a few times. I know med school is killing my soul when I call a book of questions and vignets "fun".
The case book is fun though. I got to borrow it a few times. I know med school is killing my soul when I call a book of questions and vignets "fun".
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I like the full on costanzo phys textbook, it's the same price as the brs but has quite a bit more detail. I use brs as well tho.
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I really enjoy the full text as well, but when it comes to "review" it is a bit much. But yes, it is well written with fairly good diagrams and a logical flow for each chapters. Very easy to read as far as a science texts go. I've had very few times where I've read something and gone "huh?" afterwards.
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Bumping this because the topic is relevant to my interests. I'm looking for a good physiology review book to supplement studying in class. I thrive on practice questions so anything with lots of review questions would be helpful.
Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!
Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!
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I have BRS physio for a review book - it does seem very broad though and not a lot of detail. I like it when I just want to skim over main concepts right before an exam. I also have Guyton & Hall Physiology Review for practice questions. All it is is questions and tons of them.
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BRS Physiology is a good start.
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Anything more in-depth? I would like something that will force me to learn the little details.
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If you're studying for step I, even BRS is probably too much detail.
If you're looking to add to your physio M1, then I would use costanzo's phys text. I actually substituted it for a lot of our syllabus. The only thing that is "light" in that text is probably the neurophys (sensory, etc). Depending on how PhD vs MD your bent is, you may need other bits and pieces, I suppose. If you need more PhD, then go to Guyton.
I actually think the cases book is a good way to force yourself to learn the details. The key to phys is UNDERSTANDING not memorizing, and if you are going through the cases, and figuring them out without peeking, then you are fine for the boards. Watch yourself, make sure you aren't distracting yourself with chasing down details at the expense of true comprehension.
If memory serves, First Aid has lists of equations you need to know. That will help you narrow which details to work on.
If you're looking to add to your physio M1, then I would use costanzo's phys text. I actually substituted it for a lot of our syllabus. The only thing that is "light" in that text is probably the neurophys (sensory, etc). Depending on how PhD vs MD your bent is, you may need other bits and pieces, I suppose. If you need more PhD, then go to Guyton.
I actually think the cases book is a good way to force yourself to learn the details. The key to phys is UNDERSTANDING not memorizing, and if you are going through the cases, and figuring them out without peeking, then you are fine for the boards. Watch yourself, make sure you aren't distracting yourself with chasing down details at the expense of true comprehension.
If memory serves, First Aid has lists of equations you need to know. That will help you narrow which details to work on.
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Thanks for this good advice. My immediate intention is to use this as a supplement to my Physiology course. The instructor is definitely trending PhD in his style and emphasis
I have the First Aid for USMLE book but to be honest, I haven't figured out how to use it effectively. Seems very dense to me.
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Yeah FA will really only start to look doable into your second year. BRS phys has plenty of minutia for ya, but it does assume you understand the physio...it is a review book after all. I can say that BRS rocked for the physio shelf and it's all you need. Know it well. For the boards it's probably overkill. I didn't use Costanzo (the text) for our class because we had good notes and I'd taken physio before, but yeah, that's the best full text to use if you want one.
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So I'm adjusting to how to use review books for the boards...I'm reading cardio right now out of the BRS reveiw book and looking at FA, and writing in notes when I see that subject....but is that the right way to do it? Should I be doing it the other way around where I am looking at FA and use BRS to look up relevant topics?
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Do whatever works for you. There isn't a "right" way to learn. A lot of people seem to like to read more detailed review sources (like a BRS) and annotate into FA, but I personally think that's a waste of time. Just read the review source again if you need the info in it. You shouldn't have more than 6-ish books for Step 1 review anyway, so it's not like you'll have to be pouring through your texts to figure out where some fact is.
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I'm going to throw my weight behind Rapid Review. I have used BRS before for MS1 physio and now Im using Rapid Review for Shelf prep. I think the pathophysio it includes is more in depth than BRS and makes some of the basic science physio come to life on the second pass when prepping for the shelf.
