Yet another big vs medium robbins thread...

[DeadCactus]

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My intent is to read through topics in the robbins textbook once and then do my actual studying and memorizing through rapid review and course syllabi. My first instinct is to go with big robbins. The extra pages doesn't seem like they would be too much of a hindrance if I'm only reading through and the extra detail will paint a better picture and make it easier when I go back through the syllabus and rapid review.

On the other hand, the shorter medium robbin would mean less time spent on the initial read through and (since I'd be using two other sources) it seems reasonable that most of the information left out of medium robbins would still be covered via one of the out sources.

So I guess the key question is: is there information covered in big robbins that would probably not be covered in a syllabus or rapid review? Obviously if it's not covered in either of those two, it's unlikely to be highly useful information but the extra information helps me retain things.

 

[mda]

well for me, medium robbins is best suitable
and by the way, i think it's better for you to stick to one source rather to go jumping from one book to another, and at the same time you may loose precious time which could be used in other subjects essential for you.
It's just and advice, and every person is entitled to his own way of studying.

 

[shreypete]

So I guess the key question is: is there information covered in big robbins that would probably not be covered in a syllabus or rapid review? Obviously if it's not covered in either of those two, it's unlikely to be highly useful information but the extra information helps me retain things.

Yes, of course the big robbins has way more detailed stuff than what's covered in RR. It's primarily intended for those Pathology residents.

You can't go wrong with Medium Robbins. It's easily one of the best books out there. Mind you, it's not all that easy to read this book either. It'll still take time, but you'll definitely feel a lot more confident in the subject and reading RR or Baby Robbins after reading the Medium version will be a piece of cake!

 

[abmd]

Yes, of course the big robbins has way more detailed stuff than what's covered in RR. It's primarily intended for those Pathology residents.

You can't go wrong with Medium Robbins. It's easily one of the best books out there. Mind you, it's not all that easy to read this book either. It'll still take time, but you'll definitely feel a lot more confident in the subject and reading RR or Baby Robbins after reading the Medium version will be a piece of cake!

Does medium Robbins come with all the pictures in Big Robbins?

 

[shreypete]

Does medium Robbins come with all the pictures in Big Robbins?

I don't think so, but it does cover most of them. Perhaps buying Robbins atlas would be an excellent supplement to your patho study. I'm using it and I really like it because it has a lot of gross and microscopic pathology diagrams. The pathogenetic mechanism diagrams are all in both the Big and Medium Robbins, so you should have no problem in learning the stuff (except that the stuff is quite detailed and voluminous.)

 

[QuaerensIntelle]

I use big robbins. I think the difference is mostly in pictures and diagrams so it doesn't actually take much longer to read. I mostly decided to go with the big because it seemed like it would be a better reference book long term (somewhat superficial reason I suppose). The only thing I don't like about it is how heavy it is! Ridiculous. I also have the review book, which I got after M1 (we started path early). I haven't tried it yet, but I like the idea of being able to do some questions after I read since that usually helps me focus/remember things.

At the end of the day, I don't think it's a huge difference. Just depends how much of a geek you feel like being/looking like...in my case- a big one.

 

[Tiki]

Yes, of course the big robbins has way more detailed stuff than what's covered in RR. It's primarily intended for those Pathology residents.

No, it's not intended for pathology residents. It is not comprehensive enough to be used for surg path, I think I've opened the book twice during my first two years of residency, and that was to review for teaching the med students.

 

[shreypete]

Really? I met two European profs. who mentioned that the book was used in the first year of a Pathology residency. I guess it might not be the case in the US.

 

[DeadCactus]

I decided to go with Big Robbins. I looked up a few random topics and both and just preferred the presentation in Big Robbins. We'll see how it goes...