Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Anesthesia residency is challenging, and keeping books, apps, and study timetables in sync is daunting. The Conceptual Anesthesia App has been developed to guide you along the way, providing a learning pathway from first-year residency through final exams and super speciality preparation.
Book Suggestions for Every Year of Residency
- First-Year Residency
- For first-year residents, a good starting point is Lee’s Synopsis of Anesthesia, a short and easy-to-read book that helps with answering OT questions but is not sufficient for exams.
- This book provides a basic understanding of anesthesia.
- Second-Year Residency
- Miller’s Anesthesia: This is also called the bible of Anesthesia, It is a standard reference book, but it is complex and difficult to memorize.
- To make it more manageable, starting with systemic topics like neuro, respiratory, and cardiac anesthesia can be helpful.
- Morgan and Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology: This is an alternative to Miller’s Anesthesia, it is simpler than Miller’s but more detailed than Lee’s.
- This book presents information in a more understandable format and is useful for exam preparation.
Important Tips:
- Miller’s Anesthesia was useful for systemic topics like transplant, cardiac, neuro, and respiratory anesthesia but was not used directly for theory answers.
- Referencing Miller’s Anesthesia in exams (MD, DNB, DA) impresses examiners.
- A strategic study approach is to read Morgan and Mikhail’s for six months and make notes. Instead of writing extensive handwritten notes, highlighting key points, bookmarking, or using sticky notes can make revision easier.
Click here to learn more about the Anesthesia books: Conceptual Anesthesia Books
- Third Year Residency
- Objective Anesthesia Review (ARC Book): This book Includes case presentations, explanations, instruments, and machines.
- Yao and Artusio’s Anesthesiology: Comprehensive case presentation guide. Extra points from this book can be added to the ARC book.
- Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease: Helpful for extra case-related questions.
For Anesthesia Equipment:
- Dorsch’s Anesthesia Equipment is detailed but difficult to remember.
- Understanding Anesthestic Equipment & Procedure a Practical Approach by Dr. Baheti and Dr. Laheri: It is simpler and sufficient for exams.
Note: If you are too loaded with your training, thesis and studies the ARC book is the ultimate solution, it also covers equipment, but only enough to pass, not to excel.
For Anesthesia Pharmacology:
- Stoelting’s Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice covers all anesthetic and related drugs comprehensively.
Subject-specific books for super speciality preparation or deeper understanding:
These are books not only for people who want to take NEET SS but also for those who want to understand the subject in a better way.
- Neuroanesthesia: Cottrell and Patel’s Neuroanesthesia (comprehensive), if you don’t have the time you can for the shorter version of this book or Handbook of Neuroanesthesia (shorter).
- Cardiac Anesthesia: Kaplan’s Cardiac Anesthesia, is well written, in detail yet easy to understand.
- Pediatric Anesthesia: Gregory’s Textbook of Pediatric Anesthesia or Principles and Practice of Pediatric Anesthesia by Dr. Snehalatha and Dr. Nandini Dawe (simpler, Indian perspective).
- Regional Anesthesia:
- Hadzic’s Textbook of Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management– Well-structured with anatomy, sonoanatomy, block procedures, and key takeaways. Ideal for exam answers.
- Herman Sehmbi’s (MCQs in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy) – Essential for practising MCQs, especially for the regional anesthesia fellowship entrance exam at Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore.
- Ganga Hospital Handbook – Summarized, well-organized, and useful for specific blocks. Covers:
- Indications
- Contraindications
- Anatomy
- Steps of the block
- Troubleshooting (complications & supplementary blocks)
YouTube Channels and Other Online Sources for Learning:
- NYSORA (New York School of Regional Anesthesia) – Best for regional anesthesia demonstrations (e.g., spinal anesthesia approaches).
- ISA Kerala (Indian Society of Anesthesiology, Kerala Chapter) – Offers case discussions and theory videos.
- Conceptual Anesthesia: Offers case discussions, theory videos and a detailed explanation of anesthesia topics.
Important Study Tips for Anesthesia Residency:
- Morning Schedule – Wake up 30–45 minutes before OT for revision.
- Post-OT Sleep Strategy – Take a 1.5-hour nap after OT to refresh before studying.
- Group Study – Discuss topics with peers after OT to stay consistent.
- Rotation-Specific Reading – Read relevant books during OT postings (e.g., Cottrell for neuroanesthesia, and Kaplan for cardiac).
Critical Care Books:
- Paul Marino’s ICU Book – Widely used by intensivists and DM critical care students.
- Washington Manual of Critical Care – Concise, easy-to-follow, and reproducible for exams.
Instagram Pages for Passive Learning:
- NYSORA Instagram Channel
- Follow Conceptual Anesthesia on Instagram for updates.
- Provides videos, skill demonstrations, short notes, and quick revision material.
Conceptual Anesthesia App Overview:
- Covers MD/DNB/DA exams and SS preparation.
- Lectures are based on standard textbooks.
- Live SS MCQ lectures by experienced faculty (DMs, DNBs, Fellows).
- Sections included:
- Instruments & Machines
- Anesthesia Skills (with live videos)
- DNB OSCEs (with answers)
- Case Discussions (mock exams with consultants)
Books Included with Subscription:
- Past 5 Years’ DNB Papers (Solved)
- Drugs in Anesthesia
- Short & Long Cases
- Instruments & Machines
- Critical Care
- Upcoming Books: Systemic Anesthesia (Neuro, Pediatric, Cardiac, Airway)
Click here: Conceptual Anesthesia Books
Additional Perks of Conceptual Anesthesia:
- YouTube Channel for in-depth video learning.
- Instagram Channel for the latest updates and information.
Anesthesia residency can be tricky to balance with books, apps, and study schedules, but strategic learning and wise resources make it simple. Streamline your preparation with the Conceptual Anesthesia App, guided book suggestions, and online resources and ace your exams!
Click here to visit the Conceptual Anesthesia website to learn more about the platform and how it can help you during your residency.
