There are several key factors to consider when assessing medical sciences video resources. We looked at the following:

Dr Armando Hasudungan is a physician trainee from Sydney, Australia who created a YouTube channel that offers a wide range of medical science videos, including anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. The videos are created in a hand-drawn style and are designed to be engaging. 

All of Armando’s videos are free to watch on the YouTube channel, making this an incredible resource for visual learners.

Zero to Finals was created by Dr Thomas Watchman to provide high-quality, engaging medical education videos for free. The Zero to Finals YouTube channel has many videos on a range of topics, though it is worth noting that many of the videos are about clinical medicine with less of a focus on anatomy, physiology and other medical sciences topics.

The diagrams in the videos look great and are easy to understand. If you visit the website you’ll find free podcasts and notes, as well as optional paid access to flashcards, books and question banks.

Best of all, the videos are all free to access!

Ninja Nerd Lectures is a YouTube channel created by Zach Murphy, Robert and Kristin Beach - three non-doctors (Zach, who presents the videos, is a physician’s assistant) with a passion for teaching. The channel offers a wide range of medical sciences lectures that cover a broad range of topics.

The information is presented in an engaging way using whiteboard diagrams, and Zach is an excellent teacher. The videos are often relatively long, and the content is at times more detailed that medical students need to know (one video about glycolysis was 30 minutes long, with a separate video about regulation of glycolysis that was also 30 minutes long).

The videos are all available on YouTube for free. A subscription is available on the website which offers additional notes and digital illustrations.

Sketchy (previously SketchyMicro, SketchyPharm or SketchyMedical) is an incredibly unique medical platform that is very different from the other resources on this list. Each video employes visual storytelling to teach complex medical concepts, using a technique that is reminiscent of the memory palace. The videos start with a background or landscape, and as each concept is explained an item or character appears which represents the concept. This can be a great way to memorise a large amount of important information. 

Videos are separated into domains such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, with specific programs available for USMLE preparation. The platform is available via the web, as well as a web app for mobile users.

Sketchy provides a small number of videos for free on the website and there is a very small number of example videos on the YouTube channel, however the subscription cost is within the ‘premium’ resource realm. While the learning style takes some getting used to and isn’t for everyone, but if the videos work for you then they can be a powerful resource.

Osmosis by Elsevier is a popular e-learning platform that provides a wide range of very high-quality medical education videos created by medical professionals. Many videos are available for free on the YouTube channel, with many more available on the website. The videos are visually very appealing and easy to follow.

The web platform operates on a subscription model, with a free seven-day trial available. While the high subscription cost may be a bit intimidating, try some of the videos and if you find the model of delivery useful then the incredible range of videos makes the investment well worth it in the long run.

Lecturio is an online medical education platform that provides courses on medical science topics as well as exam-directed courses for exams like the USMLE. The content is presented by medical educators in a lecture format, and the production value of the videos is high. The videos are accompanied by interactive features such as questions and concept pages.

A large number of videos are available for free on the Lecturio YouTube channel, however these are primarily focused on clinical medicine. The cost of the subscription is steep given that there are other free resources out there, though the production value of the videos, the range of videos available, interactive features and the exam-oriented format justify the price tag.

MedCram is a video platform that offers a large range of videos about medical science and clinical medicine topics. The videos are presented by Dr Roger Sehault, board certified specialist in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine. Each topic is clearly explained in an engaging way with colourful diagrams.

The MedCram YouTube channel has a small number of videos, but most of the content is available on the website for a subscription. The high subscription cost definitely places MedCram in the ‘premium’ category, but if you enjoy the YouTube videos and are likely to watch a large number of the videos on the website then it can be worth the cost.

Pathoma is a popular medical website that offers a pathology textbook and 35 hours of video lectures on pathology. The lectures were created by Dr. Husain Sattar, a well-respected pathologist, and cover a wide range of pathology topics. The videos are presented in a more didactic way, with slides that Dr Sattar draws on to stress important concepts.

A free one-month trial is available offering access to six example videos, while the full subscription provides access to all videos as well as a copy of the Fundamentals of Pathology textbook. While the subscription is cheaper than other platforms on this list, it only covers pathology subjects and thus has more limited coverage. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to pathology, many medical students swear by Pathoma and it’s definitely worth trying out.

Watching videos can be a great way to supplement your study of the medical sciences. There are a range of free and paid video resources available. There are several YouTube channels detailed above that provide a number of free medical sciences videos, and multiple premium platforms available with a more comprehensive range of videos. Some of the platforms are more expensive; If you’re looking to commit to a platform and watch a lot of the videos, it’s worth trying out a few and finding out what works for you.

Happy watching!