Picmonic vs. Clinical Micro Made Simple

[as90]

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Hi was just wondering if anyone has been using either of these resources for Micro? I would love to be able to read all of CMMRS but I don't think I'll get the time to do so and I'm quite a slow reader. However, I was planning on just going through the charts in the book in conjunction with first aid.

I kind of like the Picmonic idea too, but its pretty recent was wondering if someone has any recommendations on whether one is superior to the other?

Thanks in advance

 

[Goober11]

IDK if this is any solace but the word on the street from exam takers and from what I have seen in the qbanks I have been working through FA's micro section is solid. Well, maybe not viruses and protozoas. Anyways, Picmonic cites FA as one of their resources so going through it AND FA, would be a potent combo in my opinion.

This is coming from someone who hates reading so CMMS wasn't my thing.

 

[John Lannister]

microcards own.

they are the best. They are slightly overboard for boards. You want that when you are using a reference source. FA for core material - microcards for backup.

Skip the gimmicks.

Edit: I guess this does work for some. My philosophy has always stemmed from long term thinking though - hence why I use my own anki cards instead of buying a subscription for step 1. I know that these work to answer questions right, but I'm curious how these skills translate to M3 and to residency? Are you still going to recall these pics when you treat someone during your intern year? Will you get the subscription again for Step 2?

Anyway, seems like a fair price and good for Step 1 - not sure how it will translate to being a physician though. I know people who have used the micro cards and learned the background pathophys well that can still use that foundation for the next handful of years. I think the foundation is more important than scoring 5-10 points higher on an exam.

 

[vandyam]

CMMRS is more comprehensive (and I use it to supplement), but I'm one of the biggest cheerleaders for picmonics out there. I crush any micro question on exams because of those cards (which still stick with me months later), and I just retain the information better/much *faster.* That's the key for me. Everyone learns differently, but extremely fast learning + long term retention = money for boards. Plus, it mixes up your studying. Everything comes from textbooks...it gets old.

 

[loveoforganic2]

I'm not using picmonic, but I did their trial and it seems like they have a well designed set up. I probably would have used it if I hadn't already memorized the information (e.g. I think it would be a great source for while you're actually taking micro, then using it again for step after having those memory tricks as part of how you initially learned it)

Edit: At the current price of $99 bucks, I would definitely recommend it for incoming 1st years and fresh 2nd years. I think that's a solid value

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

I only bought the picmonic cards for biochem because I was already using other stuff for micro but they're pretty clutch for all the vitamin deficiencies and biochem disorders. I couldn't remember like any of the lysosomal storage disorders before I used them.

 

[MDsnuts]

Picmonic helped me ace my micro final (I got a 95%), and I never got above a 85% on all my other exams. I am studying for my Step 1 now, and I can still remember many of those Picmonic bug cards. Totally worth it.

 

[vandyam]

microcards own.

they are the best. They are slightly overboard for boards. You want that when you are using a reference source. FA for core material - microcards for backup.

Skip the gimmicks.

Edit: I guess this does work for some. My philosophy has always stemmed from long term thinking though - hence why I use my own anki cards instead of buying a subscription for step 1. I know that these work to answer questions right, but I'm curious how these skills translate to M3 and to residency? Are you still going to recall these pics when you treat someone during your intern year? Will you get the subscription again for Step 2?

Anyway, seems like a fair price and good for Step 1 - not sure how it will translate to being a physician though. I know people who have used the micro cards and learned the background pathophys well that can still use that foundation for the next handful of years. I think the foundation is more important than scoring 5-10 points higher on an exam.

I would argue that I am much more likely to recall the information as a physician after having seen it in visual form than I would be after having memorized bullet point charts/tables from a book. You still learn the information (we all do) from your normal sources, but when it comes time for recall, you need to be able to remember which details go with which drug/bug.

The biggest problem most people seemed to have with picmonics (in the beginning) was the price, which I agree started off very high. I was one of the first users the site had (signed up on the first week), and I got a 50% discount for the 18month subscription and I still paid more than what they are offering now through their new deal. At $99, this thing is right on point and totally worth it. I definitely think it works best to use them along with your classes and to review them again closer to boards, though. The picture is already in your mind, so the studying goes much faster the second time around.

 

[John Lannister]

Yeah, I guess everyone has different methods. I don't agree - but I do respect your opinion. The only thing I would add is that, what happens when you need to learn more? For the person who couldn't get over the edge until they got picmonic - what do they do for residency info? Step 2 info? New microorganisms? Someone once advised me that M1/M2 are as much about develop methods to learn as they are about the learning. My major criticism though is that it's just a list of associations - no thought process. I just watched Neimann pic and enterococci - they seem to help you learn all the buzzwords but have absolutely no thought process (like memorizing FA without background).

With all that said, I've always been a firm believer in using whatever works. Glad it worked for you.