Preparing for InService

[Patholo-gyst]

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How do you all do it? Reading, of course, Robbins and Sternberg and Rosai and Ackerman's, etc., but how do you get ready for things like management and all the computer questions? The computer questions really stumped me last time. The same with some of my colleagues. Does anyone know of a book that helps, or some articles?

Any input on how you all prepare?

Thanks!

 

[RyMcQ]

I never stuided for an inservice exam. I wanted to know where I really stood. I'm not as interested in how well I can cram.

 

[Patholo-gyst]

I'm not talking about cramming. I want to know what types of things will be useful to learn in order to do well on standardized pathology exams, both this year and in the years to come. I don't mean "what can I memorize the night before," I mean "what topics does everyone suggest learning in-depth and focusing on with this exam in mind."

I like the idea of knowing where I stand, too, but if the exam covers something I don't have a rotation in, such as informatics, I would like to find out what resources I should use to prepare, both for doing well on the exam and knowing what I need to know when I practice.

There were a lot of computer questions last year. We're looking for some books to review together in our program.

 

[RyMcQ]

Sorry. I guess I was projecting a little. Most people I know have a hard time getting motivated to study for the actual boards, let alone set out on a program for studying for the inservice in addition to reading for the current rotation. I actually think that if you are successful in motivating yourself to study for the RISE, you will be better prepared for AP/CP boards. Your general font of knowledge will expand and you will be rewarded.

One caution: the inservice doesn't emphasize the same things as the AP/CP boards. A notorious example of this is the fact that there are usually fewer than 2 forensic questions on the boards.

My program may have been different than your program. Performance on the RISE was used to gauge steady improvement and to make sure that the program didn't have any glaring deficiencies in any section of the exam. As far as I know, no one felt any stress about the RISE because there really were no consequences. In fact, back when everyone had to take the RISE on the same day, all the residents had lunch together and we all got done early for the day. (No one was expected to cover the services on that day.) It was a semi-vacation.

Good luck.

 

[Patholo-gyst]

In our program, there is a LOT of pressure to do well on the RISE. Even though there are no specific consequences for not doing well (as far as I know), they can't stop talking about it and telling us to study, study, study. I think it involves bragging rights more than anything. Of course I want to do well, and I do want to see where I stand compared to others, but I also want to avoid making my program upset. If I can read a few extra books or become familiar with a new topic to do this, I'll do my best.

Or die trying! (Quite possible)

 

[Doctor B.]

I agree with RyMcQ one hundred percent. The RISE is just a gague of your improvement. It means little. I didn't study for the first one and barely studied for the second one. Both times I did terrible on some sections and as well as a 5th year resident on others. Thus I didn't feel like the results meant much. The RISE can be good for motivating you to study and it can highlight areas that need improvement. But don't put much stock in it beyond that, regardless of what your program says.

 

[deschutes]

What type of questions are on RISE and the boards? MCQs? Short answers? Essays??

 

[Doctor B.]

Multiple choice, quite a few with associated images.

 

[deschutes]

Oh. Hmm. I see I will have quite a lot of work to do. I was just told there are essay questions on the Royal College exams, should I want to attempt those.

GDM!