Oral Boards

[Juicyfresh]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Does anyone have any updated advice for studying for the oral boards?

I have searched the old threads and realize that Wills and the Kuldev Singh Case Study books are money but does anyone have experience with the new Friedman Case Review book or the Ophthalmology Oral Exam textbook? Just wondering what the best resources are these days.

Also, what is a good number of mock orals to sign up for during the Osler mock orals?

Any advice/feedback would be much appreciated...

 

[guttata]

Wills Eye Manual, Singh case study, Last Minute Optics, and a good atlas (and a good
basic review book) should be enough.

As you may have read from previous threads, it is a completely different test from 99% of
your prior exams, including the multiple choice OKAPs and WQE. Most of the battle is being
able to quickly describe the findings, logically formulate a differential diagnosis, refine your differential,
and succinctly discuss treatment and prognosis. It sounds easy, if not for the time limitation.
You must be efficient, methodical, and unfazed (you must learn to control your nerves) - which
means a lot of practicing. Rehearse your answers out loud - and time yourself appropriately.
(ie, Do not give yourself 10 minutes per case because that will equal a fail, even if you answer
appropriately)

I took the Osler and found it to be very helpful, especially when you are in the hot seat. I have
no data to back this up, but I bet most fail because they cannot get through
enough cases.

Trust me, each session will be the quickest 25 minutes of your life. Best of luck.

 

[Visionary]

This is money: http://www.amazon.com/Ophthalmology-Review-Case-Study-Approach/dp/0865779821

Agree with guttata. The key is preparing for the style of test. Most of the content is bread-and-butter ophthalmology. You'll lose points by skipping things. I'd say that's actually why most people fail. You may know what the case is and how to treat it right away, but if you don't work through your thought process, you'll lose points. They have a check list for each question, and only a fraction is the correct diagnosis. Best way is to approach every question with the same outline in mind:

1. Read the case, look at the picture.
2. Describe what you see.
3. Provide an initial differential based on this.
4. Describe what additional questions and work-up you would seek.
5. Refine the differential based on what you think is most likely to be found (sometimes the examiner will give you information).
6. Describe how you would treat and follow the case.

Just go over this for different scenarios, even talking out loud to yourself (or with a friend). The above book is set up just like this. Because the examiners can be intimidating, and because you can be prone to incorrectly reading into their expressions their assessment of your performance, I chose to pretty much look at the book the whole time. Sure, it's anti-social, but you aren't there for tea.

If you don't pass the first time, don't freak out. There have been many folks from high profile programs that have failed first round orals. It's just a very different test.