Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 (Step-Up Series) [Paperback]

Jonathan P. Van Kleunen MD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0781771560 | ISBN-13: 978-0781771566 | Publication Date: September 12, 2007 | Edition: Second

This Step-Up Series volume is a high-yield, systems-based, outline-format review of commonly tested USMLE Step 2 material, including internal medicine subspecialties, required clerkship specialties, and important topics in medical practice. The user-friendly format, with numerous tables, illustrations, and flow charts, allows quick review of a vast body of facts. "Quick Hit" marginalia highlight facts likely to be tested. "Next Step" marginalia indicate what the clinician must do next after making a diagnosis. A full-color section illustrates classic presentations of dermatologic and other disorders. This edition includes additional Quick Hits, mnemonics, new illustrations, expanded coverage of ARDS, a new table on breast malignancy variants, and updated vaccination schedules.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Second edition (September 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781771560
• ISBN-13: 978-0781771566
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Test Preparation & Review
  • #65 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Internal Medicine

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than First Aid for Step 2, October 10, 2008

By 

Sam - See all my reviews

This review is from: Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 (Step-Up Series) (Paperback)

Let me preface by saying that I prefer the First Aid series in general over the Step Up books especially for the USMLE Step 1. However, this book is superior to that of First Aid for Step 2. The information presented in this book is not obvious and straightforward as in the First Aid book. The authors did a better job screening topics and clarifying areas while still maintaining as much detail as the First Aid for Step 2 book. They also do a better job discussing treatment and diagnosis.

BUT...the page numbers are misleading. There might only be 300 pages but each page is fairly dense and offers smaller print than the First Aid Step 2 book so while it may contain 300 pages, it truly reads like a 500 to 600 page book. Don't purchase this book if you think it's a fast read because it isn't and you will spend just as much time (if not more time) reading this book than the First Aid for Step 2 book.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior to the others - digestible yet comprensive, July 20, 2010

By 

Jake "mr bob dobalena" (Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 (Step-Up Series) (Paperback)

A perfect addition to USMLE World.

Throughout medical school I've developed a tendency to hoard books before actually sitting down to prepare for tests. It's clearly a way to feel mentally well-armed, and is somewhat ridiculous. I bought several books for Step 2 - Crush, Secrets, First Aid, and Step Up to Step 2. I read a few chapters in Crush but it seemed way too simplistic. Secrets is just a list of questions that corresponds to the material covered in Crush. I bought First Aid because I used it for Step 1 - like everyone else - but the book gave me a headache. It reads more like a pastiche of trivia than an organized review book. Despite the scarcity of reviews out there on Step Up to Step 2 I bought it because I LOVED Step Up to Medicine - hands down the most helpful book I used in all of med school. Step Up to Step 2 isn't nearly as thorough as Step Up to Medicine. At first, it seemed too pared down, but when I started answering USMLE World questions I realized that there was so much that was covered in Step Up to Step 2. It somehow manages to strike the perfect balance. It's digestible yet comprehensive. For such a thin book, it's pretty amazing.

Seriously, the book is far superior to the others out there.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Concise, but with many errors, August 5, 2008

By 

Liliana (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 (Step-Up Series) (Paperback)

I chose this book initially because it was very concise (only 322 pages including index, etc etc) and with only a month to study for Step 2, I wanted concentrate on doing questions. The pros for this book: it is very concise and to the point. It explains each syndrome, basic pathyophys, h&p, and management. It also has some good algorithms and mneumonics. The bad: Many errors and typos. I've been careful not to completely rely on this book for factual data, but write notes in it according to my other references. Also, many syndromes that I thought should have been included are left out (i.e. not a word about hereditary spherocytosis that I could find). Furthermore, outside of the ones we already know about, most of the mneumonics are kind of random, long, and not very useful (i.e. there's a mneumonic to remember what symptoms occur for the flu)

So, if you plan to use this book as a primary study tool, I would not advise it. But, I've found it useful for myself to write notes while doing study questions. Just be careful about the errors/typos.