Customer Reviews

Quick Compendium of Clinical Pathology

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If the mistakes were limited to spelling one could make do, but that is not the case. The most one can use this book for is as a guide/outline of what topics to cover when studying. Otherwise, I urge those studying for the pathology board exam to avoid this book; it is full of wrong information. For example, tables T2.5 pg 110 and T2.8 on pg 113 contain wrong information, and the definition of the indirect antiglobulin test on pg 118 is wrong. It is surprising that the ASCP would publish a book of such poor quality.

Clinical pathology can be a daunting area for many residents, especially in regards to board preparation. However, the information in the book is high yield and it is presented in a concise and straight to the point manner. The tables are very useful. A good review book is of great help to anyone who finds CP sometimes confusing and abstract.

I own the second edition of this book. It is greatly expanded, and has now become online (as all of the rest of the Compendium series from ASCP). The new edition, along with 2 other books, are being sold online from ASCP for around $300 as a 3 vol. set (member price).
The new 2nd edition is greatly expanded (I've seen the first edition from friends). The book and the surgical path compendium are all bullet points. Very few pix. The strengths of the book are
1. Short paragraphs and get to the point.
2. Not meant to learn the material in the first time. strictly review
3. Up to date (plus the online part, which is not activated by me yet, more review on that later; you get a series number at the front or back of the hard cover book, like the AFIP atlas series).
4. Sturdy; I don't like soft cover books too much.

Lows:
1. Getting too big for serious cramming sessions for the board. By the time you finish reading this, you may not have time for anything right before the boards. Perhaps this is all you need, since surg path tend to be most residents' strength.
2. Minor typos. Proof-reading is still important. I'm surprised that the errors are not caught.

Good:

It is a comprehensive review of CP material for the CP or AP/CP board exam.

Bad:

There is a spectacular level of errors in the text and tables. Some tables are directly contradicted by the text. When you study you will have to refer to reference texts to resolve printed contradictions. There are published lists of errors online. It's an overall frustrating experience.

Bottom line:

If you are taking the CP boards soon, BUY IT and READ IT.
If not, WAIT for a 3rd edition with corrections.

As a practicing pathologist the Quick Compendium series is just too superficial and telegraphic to be of much help. I think the goal of putting such a huge content area into a small volume is just too ambitious. I've pretty much stopped looking in the set and I turn to Lexicomp (online) or I use another specialty specific reference.

Compared to the previous edition, the 2nd ed feels more difficult to read, which is unfortunate for a condensed review type book. It LOOKS nicer than the 1st ed, but reads like a more dense reference type book. Probably better used if you have a lot of time prior to board exams or want to review something specific, rather than as a cram/review book a month or weeks before boards.

This book has proven itself to be a quick and dirty source of clinical pathology information thats useful on CP rotations as well as for review while studying. I compare its usefulness to First aid for USMLE step 1. It does have some typos, but overall a great book.