Recommended Resources
| [Step 1] Resources |
|---|
  |
 
|
These two review books should cover most of what you need to know for Step 1. They are a great guide for knowing what will be on the exam. However, they can't be used as stand-alone resources because they offer no explanations. Use PathwayMedicine as much as possible and for further reading refer to the texts mentioned below. |
| General Physiology |
|---|
  |
 
|
Costanzo Physiology (left) is a very readable physiology book; however, it's explanations are often a bit thin and hand-wavy. For students who want a deeper knowledge of physiological concepts they can turn to the classic Guyton-Hall text (right) as an adjunct. |
| General Pathology |
|---|
 
|
  |
Every medical student must have a Robbins pathology text. We recommend purchasing both the "Big Robbins" (left) and "Baby Robbins" (right). Refer to the much larger "Big" version for discussions of less common diseases and read the "Baby" version for more summarized versions of complex diseases. Importantly, the authors are pathologists and will discuss diseases from a histopathological standpoint. Therefore, we recommend a clinical text also such as Harrison's (see below). |
| General Medicine |
|---|
 
|
Harrison's is still a classic and we recommend purchasing a copy. The authors view diseases from a clinical standpoint and thus it will add a great deal to your knowledgebase. Too often, the first two years of medical educations view disease from the eye of a pathologist, but in the end, most students will be clinicians. |
| Histology |
|---|
  |
  |
A histology book is a key element of an excellent medical education. Purchase one even if not required by your medical school. Wheater's (left) is a bit more concise than Ross's (right) |
| Anatomy |
|---|
  |
 
|
To learn anatomy you need an atlas as well as a book that actually explains the relationships of anatomical structures to one another. Netter's is a simple atlas (right) but do not rely solely on it. We encourage students to also purchase Moore's Essential Clinical Anatomy (right) as a critical adjunct |
| Renal |
|---|
 
|
 
|
Written by the author of Pathway Medicine, the left is a downloadable and polished version with full-color images. For a very deep understanding of acid-base pathophysiology we recommend the slim Kurtz Case studies text. It will be far too involved for the first and second year of medical school but is a great resource if you want to impress on your clinical rotations. |
| Respiratory |
|---|
 
|
 
|
Written by the author of Pathway Medicine, the left is a downloadable and polished version with full-color images of our Respiratory Physiology section. If you desire more detail then the West text (right) is more comprehensive and extremely well-written. |
| Cardiology |
|---|
 
|
A collaboration between Harvard Medical School faculty and student to create an accessible work focused on cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. A must-read for anyone desiring a solid background in cardiac pathophysiology. |
| Pharmacology |
|---|
 
|
Lipincott offeers probably the best concise pharmacology book for first and second year medical students. The book has numerous illustrations and diagrams which help in memorization of pharmacological facts. |
| Microbiology |
|---|
 
|
This text is very concise and extremely helpful. It's cartoons and easy language make microbiology much more pleasant. Although your medical school may recommend a more formal book, this one contains all you need to know and has some very helpful tables in the back which summarize the key features of microbe and antimicrobial classes. |
| Neurology |
|---|
  |
There aren't great resources for neurology for first and second year medical students. The high-yield neuroanatomy book is probably over-kill for the first two years, but is invalauble for third year clinical rotations. . |
| Biochemistry |
|---|
 
|
There is quite a bit of biochemistry on the board exams and having a concise biochemistry book will probably be helpful. Lipincott offers a great book and although most of it won't be necessary, the sections on metabolism are very helpful and well-written. |
| Clinical Rotation Resources |
|---|
  |
 
|
 
|
 
|
  |
| These are the best resources for your third year clinical rotations. For Internal Medicine purchse both Step-up and MKSAP. Step-up has all of the information you need to know while MKSAP is a question-bank that provides truly oustanding explanations. For your surgery rotation use the Red NMS case-book for studying and Surgery Recall to study up on cases the night before. The Blueprints book is an excellent resource for your ob/gyn rotation. |