Not being able to read Rapid Review is giving me anxiety that I won't be able to score well on the Step. For Path I'm using Pathoma + Goljan Audio + First Aid. I'm strong in the subject, but feel that RR will cover all the grounds. The only chapters that I'm reading from it are Cardio, Nutrition, Genetics, and the Senses chapter, which is the last chapter. Any suggestions & recommendations?
Worried that I don't have time for Rapid Review...
- Thread starter Jonari
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I'm a big believer in RR Path and still reference it quite frequently as a third year. I got through a large portion of the book (not 100% of it) during second year and during dedicated time for Step 1. I will rank the chapters by my personal belief of their respective strength:
1. Cardiac and vascular chapters: very good; they will help you nail down (in conjunction with UWorld) the pathophysiology of CHF (both systolic and diastolic dysfunction), valvular pathology, and those especially confusing congenital cardiac anomalies (with great diagrams to boot). The large blue boxes were probably my favorite part of that chapter (the ones on heart sounds and murmurs) because he just makes it so easy to understand things on a conceptual level, which is what I really feel is the greatest strength of the entire book itself. I think it is geared toward the person who wants to think about material and understand it on a very basic level in order to build that strong foundation, and then add the detailed knowledge.
2. Renal: the nephritic and nephrotic tables are fantastic. I also liked the diagrams on renal flow and how this relates to AKI, whether it be prerenal, intrinsic, or postrenal. It also presents ATN, AIN/CIN, etc. very well. Overall a very strong chapter. I frequently reference the blue tables/boxes again as a MS3 in order to read up on UA findings, lab values in prerenal AKI vs. ATN, etc. It's still very good for MS3.
3. Pulmonology: again, the microbiology table is so good. I would definitely study that. The pneumoconioses are great, as is the table on primary pulmonary neoplasms. It is also very good to get a handle on restrictive vs. obstructive respiratory patterns and what you see on testing.
4. GI chapter: extremely well-done as well, especially the microbiology table (I personally set a goal to get through all of the microbiology tables in that book because I think that is one of the strengths of the text). If you go over the hepatobiliary chapter I would at least make it through the blue box on bilirubin conjugation and enterohepatic circulation, as this will really help you understand the associated pathology. Also, get through the viral hepatitis section, especially HBV, and go over the table on which lab values you see in acute infection, chronic infection, window period, high infectivity, low infectivity, immunity, etc.
5. Haematology: this was the first time the anemias actually made sense, especially the pathophysiology of each type. You'll understand the pathophysiology of every single hemolytic anemia there is. You'll never miss a question on intravascular vs. extravascular hemolysis and which lab values are associated. Your understanding of the work up and diagnosis of anemia will never be better. WBC and lymphoid chapter is good but not as great as other chapters.
6. Endocrine chapter is great, especially for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It goes a little overboard in some other aspects of the endocrine system for Step 1 (but it's an overboard type of book, so...). If anything, just understand the blue tables using arrows for certain lab values in certain conditions. Thankfully, endocrine system is one of those where if you understand the basic feedback mechanisms and which hormones affect which, you'll essentially be able to work through any question you're presented with.
7. Male and female reproductive chapters: good, and I made a point to get through each of the neoplasm tables in those chapters. As always, the STI microbiology tables are fantastic and I would make a point to get through those.
Well, I'll stop at 7. That seems like a lot right there, but you don't have to go through every bit of each chapter. Just pick what's tough for you and at least make it through the blue boxes (not necessarily the blue margin notes). I think the above chapters will cover your bases pretty well for Step 1 in addition to providing a solid foundation for you to build upon during third year.
The first chapters in the book are good but I don't think they are as strong as the systems-based pathology chapters. If anything, the fat- and water-soluble vitamin tables would be good to work through, as would the large table on volume and tonicity, though I forget exactly which chapter this is in.
Hope that didn't overwhelm you, and I hope it helps,
MrB
Good input! Interesting though, as I've heard a lot of people say the first 7 chapters are the best if you're in a time crunch. I agree that cardiac and heme were fantastic chapters. Renal is good is you have an especially strong foundation I feel. I also really liked the water balance and acid/base chapter at the beginning.
Mr. B, thanks for the awesome write up. Must've taken you some time to type all that up, so I greatly appreciate your input and concern on helping me out. 😀
Edit: If you could, if time allows, it would be great to get your feedback on the other chapters.
Edit: If you could, if time allows, it would be great to get your feedback on the other chapters.
I actually think the pathology part of the renal chapter is one of the disapointments. A lot of the information contradicts what's in First Aid and USMLE World.
I'd say do the Webpath images for glomerulonephritis and the renal questions instead of going over Goljan.
Otherwise though, this is an amazing book. The endocrine, anemia, GI sections are "stunning". I don't think I could reference any other textbook with those adjectives.
I'd say do the Webpath images for glomerulonephritis and the renal questions instead of going over Goljan.
Otherwise though, this is an amazing book. The endocrine, anemia, GI sections are "stunning". I don't think I could reference any other textbook with those adjectives.
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No problem. It didn't really take that much time. I'll give my opinion on the other chapters soon if you'd like. Although, remember, it's just one guy's opinion.
I actually think the pathology part of the renal chapter is one of the disapointments. A lot of the information contradicts what's in First Aid and USMLE World.
I'd say do the Webpath images for glomerulonephritis and the renal questions instead of going over Goljan.
Otherwise though, this is an amazing book. The endocrine, anemia, GI sections are "stunning". I don't think I could reference any other textbook with those adjectives.
I think FA 2013 currently has 28 pages of errata so I'm not really banking on it having the most correct information regarding renal pathology. I'll take my chances with Goljan. 🙂
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Is there any reason you emphasize the blue boxes over the blue margin notes? For example, the cardio chapter has very few blue boxes - and very little cardio info if you stuck to those.
I've always heard the margins were more important. Just curious as to your reasoning.
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Why not just stick with what you're doing? I think if you stick with the sources you have listed you should do fine. A guy in my class has totally stopped using our path notes and just uses RR and Pathoma and he says that Pathoma really does a great job of covering the high yields that are in RR.
A lot of people in my class use like ten review books, whereas I believe that using 1-2 along with First Aid is more than enough...
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Well, ideally, you would want to get to both. And I guess I don't really think that the blue boxes are necessarily better than the margin notes, it's just that I personally found those blue boxes really good and felt like they helped foster an understanding of why certain things are the way they are. You're right, the cardio chapter does have very few and if you only stuck to those there wouldn't be a whole lot of pathology to cover! I was more or less emphasizing how much I enjoyed those boxes but I still made it a point to make it through the bulk of each chapter.
Sorry for the confusion.
