Amritha Ajith, University of Durham, Queens Campus, Stockton, Phase I Medicine

This is one of my favourite books and I also heavily recommend the rest of the Rapid Review series. This had so much use throughout my first year at medical school. It made cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems so much easier to understand and learn. I actually preferred it to my lecturers' notes. I seem to have misplaced it this year and I am really quite upset as this is one of the books I used the most. This would be really handy to look through just before clinical years as a quick refresher. It is quite a small book so makes it an easy read. If you don't understand why I'm raving about this book, you need to have a quick look through it at your library and you'll see what's so great about this book!

Posted 30th Jan 2012

Andrew Gough, University of Manchester

There are a huge amount of Physiology books on shelves in bookshops but this is the one you should go for! 'Rapid Review Physiology' is one of an increasing number of books I come across and think: "life would have been a lot easier had I had that book!". As a result of my PBL learning experience, I am a self-taught physiologist and although I am indebted to Guyton for his famous and insightful book, but I shall never forget the many hours spent reading that huge book which in hindsight, was well beyond the scope of what was tested in my examinations and in a clinical perspective, hasn't been all that useful. 'Rapid Review Physiology' is an excellent textbook. The book begins by reviewing cell physiology and then covers physiology by systems. The book is very clearly orientated towards medical students. It covers basic physiology very well and gives importance to key clinically significant topics which makes it useful in the preclinical setting but would also be a useful book to review during clinical attachments. Information is presented in bullet-point style which avoids long rambling prose and key points are highlighted in the margins. The diagrams are also excellent. A great feature are the 'clinical notes' which discuss conditions or therapeutics - this is of particular use to students who may be tested on clinical topics during their preclinical studies - such as the Progress Test at Manchester. The only downside to this textbook is its perhaps bland 'two-colour' style. The book provides access to an online USMLE-style question bank - a useful way to assess what you have retained and your understanding in the run up to exams. Overall, an excellent book for studying physiology which will be valued by students who want a broad understanding of the subject and its clinical application.

Posted 29th May 2011