How to Approach 2nd Year Pathology

Pathology is quite fascinating and important subject, included in 2^nd year of the MBBS curriculum. Here are some pointers for approaching pathology in your MBBS second year:

·         Never miss your lectures and practical sessions. It becomes hectic for a medical student to attend all the lectures, practicals, lab simulations, postings. Hence, a medico can enroll in the online pathologycourse so that they get the premade notes on all the important topics and access to the video lectures and learn at their own pace. It is quite helpful especially in case you miss your college lectures.

·         Learning Pathology becomes an easier task if you study in a systematic manner. Start with the General Pathology and get your basics clear. This segment introduces you to the fundamental concepts and basic terminologies which will be required again and again for understanding the further modules of the subject.

·         Then, focus especially on systemic pathology. Since this topic broadly connects pathology with other medical subjects such as – medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, it is important that students make efforts to meticulously understand this segment of pathology along with its clinical features.

·         The study of pathology involves rigorous investigation for treatment. Indulging in high- impact research activities is advised. A student can sign up for the best pathology video lectures and must keep track of the information received from faculty on research related activities at both national and international level.

·         Approach the clinical aspect from the very beginning. Many UG students make the mistake of choosing the theories and concepts first and pushing aside the practical clinical aspects for later. The Gold Standard Faculty always advise the medical students to learn theories and practicals together as it proves to be a more effective learning method in the long run.

·         A student should always read the books on pathology that he or she manages to collect. Whether the book is in printed or digital format, a student should be less selective for study materials. The reason behind this is the fact that Pathology is a vast subject, hence every Pathology book will definitely contain some important information that is not mentioned in any other Pathology book. In this context, the Harsh MohanPathology book deserves a special mention. The latest edition of this super popular book in Pathology not only has some beautiful mentions of procedures and cases from around the world, but also includes extremely detailed diagrams, photographs from real life scenarios, illustrations, etc. There are also charts, tables, and graphs to help students integrate the learning from one concept into another and thereby have a better understanding of the bigger picture.

·         Skimming through the Ramadas Nayak Pathology book, which is another great book for mastering the concepts of pathology. Contrary to other books where the chapters appear in a chronology, the Ramadas Nayak Pathology has concepts segregated into three broad sections. First is General Pathology, second is Hematology and Clinical Pathology and third is Systemic Pathology. The First section, General Pathology includes the basic terminologies and essential pathological processes of diseases such as neoplasia, hemodynamic disorders, inflammations, genetics, immune disorders, etc. The second section, Hematology and Clinical Pathology includes the detailed explanation about the disorders related with the blood cells and clinical pathology. The third section, Systemic Pathology includes the chapters on disease and disorders of the organs affecting different organ systems such as respiratory, vascular, gastrointestinal and more.

The latest edition of the book also includes chapters on Basic Diagnostic Cytology, and Blood Banking and Transfusion. The book covers the clinical case scenarios and interpretation of the cerebrospinal fluid changes, common urinary abnormalities and liver function tests along with the frequently asked questions section. Each chapter in this book has an introduction, followed by information presented in a concise manner, for instance, in bullet points, figures, and charts, including a complete review manual, as well as sample questions that find relevance for both university exams and NEET-PG.

While opting for Pathology courses online, a student must carefully create a learning plan as per one’s learning style. While some students find learning aids such as diagrams and models more effective for mastering a concept and retaining information for a longer period of time, other students may find concise, handwritten notes more effective. Listening to video lectures is also quite often preferred, as it is easier to recall information and concepts that a student has heard attentively. The renowned online pathology courses also simplify the efforts put forth by a student to seek additional study resources. In order to supplement the knowledge already grasped, students should skim through online journals, books, magazines, and notes. Good online pathology courses offer digital notes that save the students’ time of extensive online research. Digital notes are also easy to organize and access.