What Textbooks DO you Prefer?

[Born2B]

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Hey, I had a question on what textbook you would recommend. I've been researching into what books people use during coursework and I'm torn between a lot of books. I wanna have the proper resources during my basic sciences so that Step 1 Review time im actually reviewing not learning new materials.

ANATOMY: (which text would you use, it will be supplemented with BRS)
1) Clinically Oriented Anatomy - Moore
2) Gray's Anatomy
3) Rohen Vs. Netters Atlas

PHYSIO: (Will also be supplemented with BRS)
1) Guyton's - said to be very long winded
2) Berne and Levy
3) Ganong (think this is more for review)

EMBRYO:
Langman's
Will this book be usefull come step 1 time? From what I know there 7-10 Embryo questions on the exam and I don't know if I should get the book.


If you have any other books you recommend please let me know

ALSO: DORLANDS vs. STEDMANS dictionary

Maybe I am just panicing too much, I just wanna make sure I have the right resources to study from.

 

[Tensyle]

I'm an M1, so I can shed some light on the books I like...

For physiology, I like using Linda Costanzo's textbook (and her BRS version). It gets straight to the point and is very succint. However, it's not good enough for cardio stuff.

For Embryo, I like High Yield Embryology. I used it during my Embryology course and ended up doing pretty well.

For Anatomy, Gray's Anatomy, the most recent version, is really good. Use this book to learn the anatomy; its too long for a review. U can use it as a reference for boards-studying, but definitely get something shorter for actual studying for boards.

Are you a medical student yet? Seems to me like you are just entering...don't stress too much; your professors will have 'required' books on their respective syllabi, and you will hear from upperclassmen (like TAs) about books that they liked. Gradually you'll end up trying a few books and settling for the ones you like. Always remember that some books work great for some people, but dont work well for others. You gotta actually use them to get a feel for how you absorb info.

 

[Born2B]

My major concern isn't what will help me pass my basic sciences, I'm fairly confident I can make my way through them, I just want to have a very strong foundation for Step 1 review time so I'm basically looking for the best books to read during basic sciences to help me when it comes for step 1 prep time.

So whichever books will help prep me the best are the ones I will be looking to purchase. I'm going to school in the carribean and amazon has problems shipping books there so I really needed to get them before hand.

Tensyle thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

 

[Born2B]

Maybe this thread should be moved to the step 1 section? I have about 2 weeks to figure out what books I'm gonna get🙁 not even started semester one and already so stressed haha

 

[silas2642]

Hey, I had a question on what textbook you would recommend. I've been researching into what books people use during coursework and I'm torn between a lot of books. I wanna have the proper resources during my basic sciences so that Step 1 Review time im actually reviewing not learning new materials.

ANATOMY: (which text would you use, it will be supplemented with BRS)
1) Clinically Oriented Anatomy - Moore
2) Gray's Anatomy
3) Rohen Vs. Netters Atlas

PHYSIO: (Will also be supplemented with BRS)
1) Guyton's - said to be very long winded
2) Berne and Levy
3) Ganong (think this is more for review)

EMBRYO:
Langman's
Will this book be usefull come step 1 time? From what I know there 7-10 Embryo questions on the exam and I don't know if I should get the book.


If you have any other books you recommend please let me know

ALSO: DORLANDS vs. STEDMANS dictionary

Maybe I am just panicing too much, I just wanna make sure I have the right resources to study from.

Anatomy I used Moore's and Netter's along with Rohan's. I don't think that you can just get by with solely Rohan's w/o Netter's because there are some untagged structures in the Atlas. I really liked both atlases and the blue boxes in Moore's are great. BRS anatomy is probably too thick of a resource to utilize come boards time.

For physio, BRS is probably sufficient. If your syllabus sucks or you're having a difficult time understanding the subject, then supplement with big Costanzo-- the same author as BRS physiology. It is excellent, concise, and well written.

As far as embryology is concerned, I have heard that it is a low yield subject. I'm not really worrying too much about it (I suck at it, it's not tested that heavily), so I'm going to hit First Aid to study for the boards and maybe look at some images on the university of indiana website, which I found very helpful during anatomy.

 

[scube]

Anatomy I used Moore's and Netter's along with Rohan's. I don't think that you can just get by with solely Rohan's w/o Netter's because there are some untagged structures in the Atlas. I really liked both atlases and the blue boxes in Moore's are great. BRS anatomy is probably too thick of a resource to utilize come boards time.

For physio, BRS is probably sufficient. If your syllabus sucks or you're having a difficult time understanding the subject, then supplement with big Costanzo-- the same author as BRS physiology. It is excellent, concise, and well written.

As far as embryology is concerned, I have heard that it is a low yield subject. I'm not really worrying too much about it (I suck at it, it's not tested that heavily), so I'm going to hit First Aid to study for the boards and maybe look at some images on the university of indiana website, which I found very helpful during anatomy.

embryo get the HY. it is probably low yeild for boards but it is IMO helpful for more fully understanding human anatomy and congenital defects.

greys is a great anatomy book.

also for cardio, respiratory and renal check out at a glance.

Costanzo for phys although she leaves out details.

 

[sarann99]

There are so many books that I've used (I'm a 4th year) it's pretty ridiculous...

I think the ones that I'd recommend depend on what you're studying for (what year you are), and what your background is...

Plus, people like studying in different ways -- you'll figure out what kind of books you like and you'll stick with them, usually in the form of a certain series i.e. Rapid Review, BRS, Lange or you'll stick to the big books like Robbins and Harrisons (like me!)

I've found some other book recommendations at impressyourattending.com that have been helpful for students that I tutor... I've been tutoring for a couple years now and unfortunately everybody is different. It's best to poll a bunch of people and then try to figure out what will work for you.

 

[xanthomondo]

Hey, I had a question on what textbook you would recommend. I've been researching into what books people use during coursework and I'm torn between a lot of books. I wanna have the proper resources during my basic sciences so that Step 1 Review time im actually reviewing not learning new materials.

ANATOMY: (which text would you use, it will be supplemented with BRS)
1) Clinically Oriented Anatomy - Moore
2) Gray's Anatomy
3) Rohen Vs. Netters Atlas

PHYSIO: (Will also be supplemented with BRS)
1) Guyton's - said to be very long winded
2) Berne and Levy
3) Ganong (think this is more for review)

EMBRYO:
Langman's
Will this book be usefull come step 1 time? From what I know there 7-10 Embryo questions on the exam and I don't know if I should get the book.


If you have any other books you recommend please let me know

ALSO: DORLANDS vs. STEDMANS dictionary

Maybe I am just panicing too much, I just wanna make sure I have the right resources to study from.

Moore is terrible - I've never seen a textbook with as many errors as this one. You can't trust any of the diagrams to be accurately labeled. I got both Netter and Rohen's atlas and I use Netter a TON more. Rohen is nice for studying for a practical or seeing what youre going to be looking for in lab the next day but for studying "idealized" anatomy I found it best to go with the illustrations.

 

[Dr Roboto]

Moore is terrible - I've never seen a textbook with as many errors as this one. You can't trust any of the diagrams to be accurately labeled. I got both Netter and Rohen's atlas and I use Netter a TON more. Rohen is nice for studying for a practical or seeing what youre going to be looking for in lab the next day but for studying "idealized" anatomy I found it best to go with the illustrations.

Agree. My professors have pointed out mistakes whenever they assign readings from Moore. But the good thing is Moore is not necessary for the most part, unless you find the need to really supplement your professor's notes. I don't think I've read more than 10 pages from that book. Also, I think Netter's is great for familiarizing yourself with where things are (ideally) and their relationships with each other. And Rohen is more about finishing up the job and moving onto what things actually look like.

For embryology, my professors have suggested The Developing Human. I thought it was OK. I would suggest going with whichever book has the most/best pictures. I think a CD with animations would seal the deal. Things change too quickly and drastically to really study embryology with text and pictures alone.

 

[Doctor Phil]

Anatomy:
-Baby Moore
-BRS all the way... just memorize it, you will be in good shape.
-Grays for Students is unreadable, IMO
-BOTH Netter and Rohen are invaluable

Physio:
-Boron's Medical Physiology is a beast, but it's good
-Costanza is almost everyone's standby for a reason

Dictionary:
-Doesn't matter

Other books:
-Human Brain coloring book, by Diamond (awesome for neuro)
-A good neuro atlas is Nolte
-How the Immune System Works, by Sompayrac (great overview)
-If you're really feeling ambitious, you could pick up a First Aid for Step I and start taking notes in the Anat and Physio sections, but you will probably end up buying a newer copy closer to boards, in which case you would just transfer the info.

 

[146233]

Anatomy:
-Baby Moore
-BRS all the way... just memorize it, you will be in good shape.
-Grays for Students is unreadable, IMO
-BOTH Netter and Rohen are invaluable

BRS Anatomy is a bit long-winded sometimes, but the clinical info in it is invaluable. Agree about baby Moore. I like Gray's for Students.

Physio:
-Boron's Medical Physiology is a beast, but it's good
-Costanza is almost everyone's standby for a reason

Costanza ftw.

Other books:
-Human Brain coloring book, by Diamond (awesome for neuro)
-A good neuro atlas is Nolte
-How the Immune System Works, by Sompayrac (great overview)
-If you're really feeling ambitious, you could pick up a First Aid for Step I and start taking notes in the Anat and Physio sections, but you will probably end up buying a newer copy closer to boards, in which case you would just transfer the info.

For neuro, I did like the Nolte Atlas [not the Nolte text]. I was also a huuuuge fan of Sidman's Neuroanatomy. Really worked out well. As for FA for Step 1, it's not a bad thing to flip through before a shelf exam.

 

[treva]

For Coursework:

Physiology - Boron. Guyton does a poor job explaining, and even gets it wrong at times. Boron is my bible.

Anatomy - Own Moores, but I usually study by taking Grays with Netters / Rohan outta the library.

Pathology - Big Robins Pathological Basis for Disease. Great book, and I'll actually keep using it after 2nd year (unlike Boron).


For Boards / Rewiew
Physiology - BRS Phys. Not detailed enough for me to feel comfortable using it for course work. Great to review with though

Anatomy - Need to get one!

Pathology - Goljan's Rapid Review.


Other favorites:

Medicine coursework - Harrison's
Medicine Review - Toronto Notes 2008

 

[IluvMCAT]

Just to throw in my 2 cents. I think Clinically Oriented Anatomy (Moore) and Linda Costanzo's BRS Physiology are two of the best books I ever read in med school. There's no way you can get by without Netter's as someone else mentioned, and I found the picture atlas of anatomy to be a waste of money. I'd go with Netter & Moore for anatomy, Costanzo's BRS version for physio (don't get the other non-BRS version, and Larsen for Embryo. Ebryo is one of my least favorite topics, but the book by Larsen is extremely clear. It helped me get honors in Anatomy (those anatomists love Embryology).

Just my opinion. Hope it's helpful.

 

[AggieSean]

Anatomy: Netter's (if you're supplementing with BRS)

Physio: BRS Physio with Big Costanzo prn

Embryo: No. Just use FA.

You didn't ask, but Lippincott for Biochem is a winner too.

 

[Born2B]

Hey everyone thanks for your help!

I've decided to go with "BIG" Costanzo's for Physio

For Anatomy its down to Big Moore vs. Baby Moore, will look into it and make a decision🙂 I appreciate all the help...


On a side note... does anyone recommend getting Kaplan MedEssentials to have alongside First Aid through basic sciences?

 

[Joaquin]

There was a MedEssentials thread somewhere recently....they all seemed to like it.

but...I didn't really like it very much. 1st aid was much better.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

One textbook I've had a lot of success with is no textbook.

I've looked a few things up on our online library for radiology, and I thumbed through netter's from time to time for anatomy, and that's about the closest I've come to owning a textbook.

Its all BRS/Rapid Review/High Yield for me. I'm told that I may need to buy the physio book next year for systems. Time will tell.

 

[DeeJay2728]

One textbook I've had a lot of success with is no textbook.

I've looked a few things up on our online library for radiology, and I thumbed through netter's from time to time for anatomy, and that's about the closest I've come to owning a textbook.

Its all BRS/Rapid Review/High Yield for me. I'm told that I may need to buy the physio book next year for systems. Time will tell.

Which BRS/RR/HY do you use for which class?? Do you like HY for embryo, BRS for physio, RR for path??

 

[TexasTriathlete]

HY- neuro
RR- Path
BRS- Phys, anatomy, embryo
Clinical _______ made ridiculously simple- micro, neuro

That's about all I can think of.

 

[NRAI2001]

Textbooks are useless for medical students (well maybe low-yield); the only time text books are needed is if you re schools lecture notes are very horrible and even then wikipedia would probably be better used to fill in the gaps.

Review books are perfect for almost any course..

 

[Born2B]

Well I'm going to a carribean school and not expecting much from the professors haha, I was thinking I would have to learn everything on my own from my textbooks and then use the review books later on once I understand the concepts.

Maybe I should change my approach, I'm just worried about looking through review books with a weak foundation and memorizing facts rather then understanding.

 

[NRAI2001]

Well I'm going to a carribean school and not expecting much from the professors haha, I was thinking I would have to learn everything on my own from my textbooks and then use the review books later on once I understand the concepts.

Maybe I should change my approach, I'm just worried about looking through review books with a weak foundation and memorizing facts rather then understanding.

I go to SGU and the profs and lec notes here are better than they were where I did my SMP (chicago med courses)...but for the most part med school is self taught.

 

[ChiDO]

One textbook I've had a lot of success with is no textbook.

I've looked a few things up on our online library for radiology, and I thumbed through netter's from time to time for anatomy, and that's about the closest I've come to owning a textbook.

Its all BRS/Rapid Review/High Yield for me. I'm told that I may need to buy the physio book next year for systems. Time will tell.

I bought 5 textbooks this year, 4 out of 5 are still in the shrink wrap/not opened.

As for physio book for systems, we've done neuro and musculo and I have yet to use it. Here is what I have "used" I say in quotes as I only really use them when I don't understand something from our powerpoints and/or to do practice questions.:

RR - Biochem/Path
BRS - Anatomy/Physio
HY - Neuro/Embryo
CMMRS (Micro)

 

[badasshairday]

Guyton is the god of physio. But way too wordy, only read it if you are a fast reader and like nitty gritty details, or just use it as reference.

Otherwise, if you want a text for physio, read Costanzo's text book, it is a much easier read. Then right before the exam, just read through the relevent parts of BRS. I think Physio is the only course I'm reading the textbook in, I just like having another perspective, and Costanzo's text is an easy/quick read.

One more thing, I think Guyton's cardiac physio is worth reading. Although it is not by all means necessary.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Supposedly, one of our phys profs gives a bunch of fill-in-the-blanks handouts for us to study from, and a lot of the crap we need to look up in Guyton. But I'm going to wait and see.