Just learned today that, i cleared my orals boards.
i wanted to share my experience .
Started preparation 2 months before exam . Initially was difficult to get to read with new practice and procrastination.
started with collecting all the books and material .
started reviewing SAFE answers . 4 weeks before took the odyssey course .
got a better understanding of the exam and also found a partner for practicing scenarios .
went to exam city 4 days before the exam with a friend and reviewed everything again and took the exam and passed .
Start with collecting material .
REVIEW MATERIAL- SAFE ANSWERS, PASSING ORAL BOARDS-NEFF
BOOKS- CAMEROON, any of the standard text book like SCHARTWZ
ATLAS- ZOLLINGER/CHASSIN
1.
SAFE answers- i got conflicting advice about this book . Bought it 5 weeks before exam. I think , u should buy this book immediately after u get your results from written exam .This book has most of the clinical case scenarios , commonly tested in the exam .Start flipping SAFE answers in the evenings .
read the related topic discussion from CAMEROON.You should at least try to read SAFE ANSWERS THREE TIMES BEFORE EXAM .This book should be the center of your preparation . it is easy to read . analyze every scenarios according to your residency training protocol .
2.
NEFF- PASSING ORAL BOARDS- This book has all the questions which can be raised and all the changing scenarios you may have to confront . it complements safe answers .
3.
CAMEROON- I READ CAMEROON IN residency as case based reading to manage my patients . I wanted to read the whole book for the oral exam. never got there . Try to do selected case scenarios based chapter reading.
do not waste and frustrate yourself with plans to read the whole book and you will never get to do it with fellowship or new practice and family .
4.
ATLAS- Zollinger or Chassins is a very good way to visualize the steps and review surgical procedure. Every scenarios you will end up in the OR and the examiner will ask you to give a brief important steps of each procedure .it is very easy to flip through a atlas - we all have done most of the procedures in residency .
5.
PRACTICE- practicing scenarios with a partner is the most important part of preparation for this exam . if you are isolated in a practice or busy in fellowship . try to another surgeon who is taking the exam and wants to practice.
3-4 times week 1-2 hrs by phone or skype .
6.
REVIEW COURSE- there two review courses . Odyssey - given four weeks before exam ( gets u started and u have enough time to study also ). Osler is given just before the exam in the same city - not much to time to change any thing . my thoughts after the exam - didnt gain any thing .
these courses pry on our anxiety and insecurity . if you have money go for it, there is no harm done . isnt it ironic that after 5 yrs and 20000 hrs of residency training , we think a 2-4 day prep course will help us. i can understand why the surgery board members and chairman's despise these review courses.
7. "respect the exam "- prepare for the exam . we all are busy and it is difficult to take time out to prepare.
8. "passing Exam "- the exam is there to pass us . it is a very fair exam. very well standardized . examiners were friendly , no tricks or curve balls .
9. be confident and speak out loud and clear . think like an independent practitioner making SAFE DECISIONS and be a SAFE SURGEON .
10.
CONTENT issue VERSUS PRESENTATION issue - there is this whole discussion that the the oral board preparation is all about presentation.
I feel it is also about content especially all the residents in vascular cardiac, plastic , hand ,breast fellowship .
try to start your preparation by brush up on the content .
11. every case scenario has 4 parts- H&P, workup and diagnosis , Management and complications , changing scenarios with management plan .Examiners do not want you to spend too much time in the H&P. The initial presentation is actually every long and examiner will give you most of the relevant history and information to start the case . They want you to spend your time in diagnosing and managing the pt .
once you have completed the management , examiners like to test your knowledge by changing scenarios .
12. "you are your worst enemy "- don't let stress get you and spoil a fair exam .
i hope this helps
GOODLUCK