Pathology

Alright, fine, I admit it --- I'm one of the med students who didn't like Goljan's Rapid Review Pathology book. After all, how can a 700-page book be considered a "rapid review"? This book is an excellent alternative! For Step 1, I used BRS Pathology exclusively. At a slender 400 pages, I was able to cover the entire book in-depth in a week, and it was just the right amount of information for the boards. The combination of BRS Path, First Aid, and doing practice questions is plenty for the pathology questions on the boards. I got my score report back last month and did very well --- and pathology was my strongest section. Good luck, and happy studying!

This book presents concise information yet it's written in sentence form so it explains items at the same time. It's not just a book of bullet points crammed into an outline form like the Golgan Rapid Review. Sure, it purposefully skips certain details but I feel if you read this book multiple times, you will understand Pathology better than most students. It's so well written that it's easy to read and you will get through chapters quickly. I highly recommend this book especially if you are someone who likes to understand what they read.

great book summarizes robbins pathology text book well...for the previous reviewer...yes you are correct this book lacks what you wrote up...but those facts can be found in first aid...so its not a real big deal... use this during your coursework and for usmle 1...it'll help u get the bigger picture...which is easily lost in med school...where details predominate....

For 99% of medical students, this book is essential. BRS Pathology provides a framework that will help you better understand course lectures and materials. It helps provide the "big picture" as a great deal of path is condensed into a few pages a section, with the most important (and board relevant) details. You can do well with simply BRS Path, your course materials, and Google to fill in the gaps. An efficient method I discovered late in the year is to write additional facts straight into the book, and review from that. What about Robbins? Yes, Robbins has it all, and I gave it a glowing review, but it's good to be honest with yourself if you have the time. I bought it, but didn't use it as much as I liked due to time pressures. (So buy Robbins in addition to BRS Path if you have the money or if you study incessantly and want to work straight from it.) Questions: there are questions at the end of each section. They seem easy after you've just reviewed the material, yet they're still good for solidifying info/ immediate feedback, or for going to later to assess your retention. There is also a "comprehensive exam" at the end. Old editions: Newer editions have not changed much content-wise, I think the layout of the newer edition is nicer, but you can get away with an older (cheaper!) copy for sure - I used the original, from 1993!

This book is written for USMLE step 1 and it serves its purpose very well. It covers most needed materials very well and provides enough information. Considering all the materials that you need for this test, this is the best source so far. The biggest problem: lack of slides and photos. You need to supplement this book with some test books. I think the best combination will be this book and Robbins Review for Pathology(test). Overall, try to master all the information in this book and you will not be disappointed.