Recommended books and resources for Operating Department Practice students

Operating Department Practice student Lauren shares her top books and resources for getting the most out of the course.

Starting university was really daunting for me, and before I started the course, I was desperate to run out and buy loads of books! I really wish I had someone to tell me... NO, DON’T DO IT! (I would have saved a lot of money!)

I wasn’t too sure which books to buy, so I bought a selection and it turned out they weren’t very helpful to me and my course. All the books I bought before starting the course, I haven't used yet.

Brilliant basics

Since starting, I have purchased two books: Human Anatomy & Physiology, by Elaine N. Marieb and Katja Hoehn, and Foundations For Operating Department Practice: Essential Theory For Practice, edited by Hannah Abbott and Helen Booth.

A lot of the resources we need are available online and at the University library – even the books mentioned above can be read online.

If you really want to do a bit of light reading before starting the course, familiarising yourself with the basics of anatomy and physiology online might be good idea. I found the Association for Perioperative Practice and HCPC websites useful.

Tackling the reading list

There will be a reading list for your course, where books will be recommended for you. You can purchase these or, as I mentioned above, they will be available online and/or at the library (depending on availability).

Once you have started the course, you will receive a talk from the librarian linked to your course, and they will go through how the library works and how you can access books online.

The library at the university is fantastic, and the staff who work there are so friendly and will be more than happy to help you.

I'm about to enter my second year, and I may require more books then as my modules change, but for your first year, I would definitely hold off buying books until you have had the chance to talk to your tutors, who will be able to point you in the right direction and advise you.

Lauren studies Operating Department Practice at ARU in Chelmsford. Find out more about this and other degree courses at one of our Open Days.