Underground Clinical Vignettes: Biochemistry: Classic Clinical Cases for USMLE Step 1 Review

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for USMLE prep
Review: All three of the PathoPysiology books of the Clinical Vignettes series are excellent review books for pre-clinical students taking Step 1. Many questions on the exam are asked from a clinical standpoint. For IMGs who have clinical experience before taking Step 1, these books are less useful. However, they are still good to review unusual diseases. Since Pathology is so heavily tested in Step 1, these books are a good investment for anyone preparing for Step 1.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best of the series
Review: I found this book very helpful in forming a clinical picture in my mind for all those confusing biochemical diseases. I felt this was one of the best books of this series. It is good to use after reviewing the subject. This book is not sufficient on its own and should be used as an adjunct to a standard review book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best of the series
Review: I found this book very helpful in forming a clinical picture in my mind for all those confusing biochemical diseases. I felt this was one of the best books of this series. It is good to use after reviewing the subject. This book is not sufficient on its own and should be used as an adjunct to a standard review book.

Rating:
Summary: Not useful
Review: In my experience, this book was not helpful for Step 1 preparation. Partly because Behavioral Sciences is not heavily tested in the exam and clinical vignettes are time consuming. Also, I felt that by studying a standard review book alone, I was able to remember the distinguishing aspects of each disease. However I am sure there are many people who would find this book useful.

Rating:
Summary: Clinical case scenarios of OB/Gyn
Review: This book gives you 53 major cases of Obstetrics and Gynecology as one of the Underground Clinical Vignettes series. Obviously, this book alone is not enough to prepare for USMLE Step 2, but the great thing about this book is that it really focus on the disease and keywords that actually appear in the exam (e.g. vaginitis, OCP, amenorrhea, eclampsia etc). You pick up this book, see any of the scenario and if you cannot guess the diagnosis by reading through the history and findings, or any of the highlighted keywords on the scenario is unfamiliar to you, you need to buy this book. If you can, forget about this series, and work on simulated tests.

Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: This is the worst book of the series and is a waste of time. Pharmacology cannot be taught by clinical vignettes and the author himself recognizes this. In the book review section of First Aid, Dr. Bhushan admits that it is not an ideal review source. The problem is that within two lines of the clinical vignette, the drug is revealed, so there is no chance to guess the answer. There are less time consuming ways to learn the side effects of drugs.

Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: This is the worst book of the series and is a waste of time. Pharmacology cannot be taught by clinical vignettes and the author himself recognizes this. In the book review section of First Aid, Dr. Bhushan admits that it is not an ideal review source. The problem is that within two lines of the clinical vignette, the drug is revealed, so there is no chance to guess the answer. There are less time consuming ways to learn the side effects of drugs.

Rating:
Summary: Better if used near to the test date
Review: When I first read this book It was not very useful `cause everything was new for me, but when I re read it after I finish to read my biochemistry review, It was amazing, It helped me to order all the knowledgment that I had in a better form, in a perfect style to be prepared for the ECFMG questions. I recommend it to everybody who is preparing for the USMLE or ECFMG. And also highly recommended with the Lippincott Biochemistry review.