Dooley Noted: 2/22/2016
At least once per week, I get a request asking for my recommendation on the best anatomy text or application.
My answer is always the same:
“The best book or app is the one you are using.”
If one is reaching out to ask this question, he is looking for an answer I can’t provide.
There’s no fast-track to knowledge.
Believe me – if there was one, I would have found it.
Instead, I did what little were willing to do.
I gave up my practice for three years to do nothing but study anatomy.
And I’m glad I did it.
But even that wasn’t enough.
To fully understand a topic to which you are devoted, the learning begins where the textbook ends.
Yes, you must study.
But you must apply what you learn to everything around you.
You will find yourself daydreaming about your topic.
For me, it was the accidental analysis of the gait of my pick of 8 million people.
It was the race to the Bronx, or Harlem, or anywhere else where someone would hire me as an anatomist.
It was the race back to the clinic to apply everything I picked up, in small or epic forms.
It was the sharing of what I learned with anyone that would listen – until I found myself surrounded by those fascinated with anatomy, too.
The real learning is always found where the textbook ends – and where your application begins.
Whatever book or app you choose, it will be helpful if you are using it – and applying what you learned.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
