Board Review Time

[tufts]

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I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on programs that have dedicated time off for board review courses if the residents want to go. Is this a sign of weakness if there is a lot of support to go to private review classes like Kessler? Is it common for residency programs to allow the seniors time off to all go, or is this part of their vacation time? Just wondering.

I suppose the same question can be raised about the program's rules about going to national conferences.

 

[axm397]

I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on programs that have dedicated time off for board review courses if the residents want to go. Is this a sign of weakness if there is a lot of support to go to private review classes like Kessler? Is it common for residency programs to allow the seniors time off to all go, or is this part of their vacation time? Just wondering.

I suppose the same question can be raised about the program's rules about going to national conferences.

am not sure if this question really applies anymore because the board exam was "moved" to August - so most seniors would have been graduated for a couple months before they have to take the exam. Most programs have pretty lenient schedules for PGY4s so I don't think it's an issue to take the board review course. I don't think it's a sign of weakness per se - just different cultures at different institutions, that's all.

At RIC - I don't know of anyone who takes the review course. The seniors get together and start studying in the spring. Going to national conferences also is easy - you get 5 days of conference time for conferences that you will just be attending (not presenting) and however many days you need to present at whatever conference(s) - I'm presenting twice this year. (and funding for presenting available) Just need to look for coverage. We get 15 days of vacation days and 5 sick days in addition to the 5 conference days. plus, christmas, thanksgiving, new years, etc. I guess it's one of the perks of a bigger program because it is easier to find coverage.

 

[Disciple]

I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on programs that have dedicated time off for board review courses if the residents want to go. Is this a sign of weakness if there is a lot of support to go to private review classes like Kessler? Is it common for residency programs to allow the seniors time off to all go, or is this part of their vacation time? Just wondering.

I suppose the same question can be raised about the program's rules about going to national conferences.

Review courses are time consuming, expensive and tiring. Before 2004 they were somewhat necessary. Now, with the Cuccurullo book and Pocketpedia widely available, I don't see any point in going to one.

PM&R written boards are not difficult, especially with these 2 resources.

 

[mehul_25]

Most programs have administrative days that can be used for board review but are probably better saved for conferences, courses, interviews, etc.

Overall, I agree with Disciple, with the available resources no need for the time consuming, expensive review course.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

As for review courses, I guess it depends on how well you want to do on the boards. I agree that with the quality of the available resources, it is manageable to pass without going to a review course.

On the other hand, I think the review courses probably help you do well. I consider myself reasonably well disciplined, but I know that I would never have dedicated 9 days to pure boards studying without going to the Kessler review course. I found the course a very useful companion to the Cuccarillo review book- it hammered home some points from my reading, so that when I went into my final boards push in July and August, I was in peak form.

I think that the Kessler review course would be even better for people who didn't go to Kessler for residency. Lectures from people like Kirschblum, Garstang, and Stitik are always awesome, but I think they would be even better for people who haven't seen them before.

So, I don't think they are neccessary, but for someone who wants to do very well on the boards, I don't think it is time wasted

 

[Hemisphere]

I would imagine it's just like anything else if you
prefer studying the books or going to the lectures...
or some combination thereof, but judging from above
sounds like the courses don't present anything
NEW that you couldn't find anywhere else, would
that be correct?

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

I can't speak for any of the review courses except the Kessler course:

There are things that are outside of the review books. By rules, the people who lecture at review courses cannot write exam questions, but they tend to be current. For example, Dr. Kirschblum is not an exam writer for SCI, but he constantly updates his slides so they are up to date. Plus, he presents in a way that is particularly accessible.

 

[Disciple]

I would imagine it's just like anything else if you
prefer studying the books or going to the lectures...
or some combination thereof, but judging from above
sounds like the courses don't present anything
NEW that you couldn't find anywhere else, would
that be correct?

You may gain some tidbits. Personally I don't think it's worth it as PM&R boards are not that difficult (much easier than USMLEs).

At some programs these 10 day courses may burn up a large chunk of your CME time and/or money, which I think for a PM&R senior is better spent going to conferences in your area of interest or taking a well deserved vacation.

Most PM&R seniors aren't logging long hours during their last 6 months of residency. So, just start studying early and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[lobelsteve]

You may gain some tidbits. Personally I don't think it's worth it as PM&R boards are not that difficult (much easier than USMLEs).

At some programs these 10 day courses may burn up a large chunk of your CME time and/or money, which I think for a PM&R senior is better spent going to conferences in your area of interest or taking a well deserved vacation.

Most PM&R seniors aren't logging long hours during their last 6 months of residency. So, just start studying early and you shouldn't have any problems.

Spot on.

C'mon guys- it is PM&R. The boards are not difficult. If you read Cuccurillo and near memorize Sugar and Choi's pocketpedia- you pass. I said near memorize- if the word in print is in bold- look for a board question.👍

 

[arik79]

isn't every other paragraph in choi bolded???