Book excerpt: This book is a concise, accessible problem-based approach to the subject using case scenarios to facilitate students taking their pre-clinical or basic sciences examinations. Using a family of characters in each case scenario, the text reflects the current changes in medical and biomedical science teaching that is increasingly moving towards a more integrated approach through-problem-based learning. The characters, all members of an extended family, appear in several scenarios and the student becomes familiar with their personalities and their disease processes. Each scenario covers the relevant anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry and enables the reader to grasp the key concepts of basic medical sciences in an integrated fashion. Key Features: Takes an integrated approach to the subject to reflect recent changes in medical and biomedical science curriculum Further Study sections to enhance understanding and enable the student to read around the subject Intended learning outcomes included at the beginning of each chapter Trigger Boxes containing key facts and revision questions included throughout to ensure key concepts are fully understood Integrated Medical Sciences: The Essentials is an essential text for first and second year undergraduates taking medical or biomedical sciences (during the pre-clinical phase for medical students.). The book is also an invaluable resource for nursing degree students and allied health students taking courses in dentistry, physiotherapy and pharmacy. In addition, the book is ideal for US and international medical students preparing for the USMLE Step 1 examination.