Board review courses

[MedExBearCo]

I know that Osler and the ASCP offer well-received board review courses but I have recently heard of the Oakstone Institute. They offer a course in Atlanta in March and also an at-home DVD version but I am not sure of the quality of this program. It features Ivan Damjanov as the course director and others from all over the U.S. as the teachers. I would love to do this at home but don't want to waste time and money if it's low quality. Is anyone familiar with this course???

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[Dawn1980]

I'm not familiar with Oakstone, although I did receive a brochure in the mail the other week. I threw it away.

Honestly, I prefer to go with what I've heard works (Osler or ASCP). I'm certainly not comfortable being the guinea pig of any review course.

 

[Pathologee]

One of the other fellows did the one in Chicago. He knew it was a new course but it was close to his residency, he could crash at a friends and he gave it a shot. He passed both parts on the first try. I didn't do a board review course but if I did it all over again, I would pick something affordable and close, so if this fits for you consider giving it a try.

 

[Patho2009]

I didn't go to any of the ASCP or Osler but I did review their handouts and printed materials (of both ASCP and Osler). This was enough for me to pass both AP and CP as well as my cytopathology subspecialty board (I read Osler review for cytopathology board, not that one for AP board). Given the hassle in flying and staying in a hotel, I preferred to cut it down by just reviewing their material. Combined with other materials, this was more than enough to clear the boards.

People who attended either one agreed on one thing: the CP part is the part that worth attending while the AP part is useless (generally speaking).

 

[green mantis]

The Damjanov course isn't new, but I don't know anyone that's ever gone. Most of the residents at my program went to Osler since it's the only one offered on the West Coast.

Damjanov has written some pathology review texts, but I can't recall which ones.


----- Antony

 

[KCShaw]

Other things being equal, I would select a course with history and familiarity among those who have passed. With that said, any course by board certified pathologists is probably going to be a better week than scratching out some study time on your next slow rotation. If the location is right and the price is competitive, barring some bad reviews it's probably worthwhile -- at least as much as any other review course.

 

[KeratinPearls]

People who attended either one agreed on one thing: the CP part is the part that worth attending while the AP part is useless (generally speaking).

Are you talking about CP from the ASCP or Osler review course?

 

[Torsed]

I did Osler and thought it was fairly cost effective and worthwhile. Its what you make of it. I thought sitting through all the hub bub for 7 days straight and hearing it helped, I did this the October prior to my Boards in June. I like everyone else had the Osler and ASCP printed notes, but how many people really read all the way through it, I think the course is good b/c it makes you sit through it, reckon it depends on the type of person you are and one's motivations. One thing that was interesting was the people who would take Osler the week before their boards, that just would have probably scared me, just my opinion.

My pal and I took the Osler and we passed both AP/CP. I knew two other people that just did the notes on their own and passed both. I know several who did just the notes and flunked AP and CP. I do know of one that did the notes and passed CP but not AP. All of these people are now if fellowships.

One pearl is that I don't think any course will be the magic bullet. If a resident hasn't been keeping up with the material all the way through then Jehovah and his angels aren't gonna save you from that cesspool of despair that waits for you in Tampa.

 

[KCShaw]

One pearl is that I don't think any course will be the magic bullet. If a resident hasn't been keeping up with the material all the way through then Jehovah and his angels aren't gonna save you from that cesspool of despair that waits for you in Tampa.

👍

 

[Napoleon1801]

I know this is an old thread, but I'll add my 2 cents.

I just now got a dvd from the Oakstone live course on a trial basis and I was very much not impressed. This seemed like sophomore level pathology to me. I'll admit I've only been through dvd #1, but I can't imagine this being any more than a review of Robbins given the lack of depth.

Anyone else had the live course or used the dvd set?

 

[lipomas]

Never heard of that one but are you sure it is a pathology board review course and not a USMLE board review that focuses on the pathology component?

 

[Napoleon1801]

Never heard of that one but are you sure it is a pathology board review course and not a USMLE board review that focuses on the pathology component?

I'm pretty sure this is residency level geared, or at least it was supposed to be.

It was marketed to me as a "Pathology Board Review" course. They had other review courses for several other disciplines like pyschiatry and internal med. I've done several searches and from what I can tell no one uses it.