Medicine

This was helpful for me in 3rd year and during my medicine rotation. I like the bullet presentation style format. The clinical cases in it are a must-read.

This book, like many other books that apparently provide "too much information " should be used with wisdom. First of all the reader must know what exam he is studying or preparing for. For example, for a Step 2 exam you will naturally discard certain types of overly detailed information and try to focus on what is given in the book that could help you identify in a clinical case.At least at this book the reader can discard information, the big problem is when you buy a book that you look for information and you don't find it and you are left short in info and that will hurt your performance in any exam.What I see frequently are books in which after you finish reading a topic you really feel that it is so short and summarized that you are not confident that it is enough and this is a bad feeling. I would NOT advise reading everything from the chapters because would take too long and you'd spend energy on low yield info for a step 2 exam.Plus , after each chapter there is some STUDY QUESTIONS that simply reinforce basic info. A suggestion, if you are wanting to save time(what makes sense), go straight to these Study Question if you get them right , you just know the material, if not,please be humble, go back and read the text, that is how one learns,reading and reasoning through a topic. At this point of your student's life,you should know how to screen info based on your needs.You can read ALL section of this book concentrating yourself on the CORE INFO, like Clinical signs,Pathophysiology, Complication, Medical treatment and skip OVERLY DETAILED INFO.Like I said in the title: YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO USE A BOOK FOR YOUR PURPOSE.

I love this book. I used it in my second year for pathophys and used it again during third year. The book is very concise and easy to read. I went throught his book about a total of four times leading up to my exam and aced it. THe earlier you start using it, 2nd year, the better off you'll be.

If you want to do well in USMLE step 2/step3 the cardiology section of this book is your best bet,as it x-rays the very silient points you need to answer the exam test. This book is excellent overall, but may be boring to go through. Read the cardiology section and you will love yourself for taking this advise and buying the book.

I found this book a valuable tool for my core and electives in Medicine. Once prepareing for the USMLE step 2 it was easy to read the book for the second and somtimes in certain sections a third time. I found it valuable and am now purchasing a copy for my girlfriend who is entering her third year as well.