America's OB/GYN Board Review Course

You cannot sit for your general oral boards until at least your second year of your fellowship. Furthermore, you can only take the general oral boards once during your fellowship. Trust me, you will not want to do this more than once!

Now that your case list has been turned in, you recognize now how much you forgot in your off-specialty subjects. Dang, that’s where they get the expression, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Our review course is IDEAL for fellows, as we tell you just what you need to know; then you can joyfully repress it again after your test. Even if your exam is not until January, there is A LOT to relearn, OK, for some of you learn. We strongly recommend you come to our September course to gather all the material you will need for 90% of your test.

We’re most sincere when we say, “You can do it…we can help; we can help A LOT”.

The results for the written boards will come out this month. For those of you who dilly-dallied to wait for the good news, don’t waste any more time in starting to collect AND enter cases. Remember the collections started JULY 1, 2010.

You cannot apply for the 2011 oral exam until February, 2011. However, if you wait this long to enter cases you’re already EIGHT months behind — BIG MISTAKE! Call or e-mail ABOG now to get your case list software. If their 2011 software is not yet available, no worries; either borrow someone’s from this year or just buy the 2010 software. Changes to the software are rare and usually minor; if you decide to stick with the ABOG software (which you probably won’t) you can upgrade later in the spring.

Don’t fret about details of how to enter the data. You’ll change your mind at least a half dozen times before it’s all said and done. For all GYN patients, start a habit of collecting H&Ps, operative note, pathology report, and discharge summary. For all OB patients, keep a file of the prenatal form, delivery note, discharge summary, and postpartum note. Don’t worry about the office patients yet. Take a stab at entering the data on the case list forms; just use your common sense.

Rest assured, we have case list construction workshops scheduled. Trust me, it’s overwhelming to attend one before then. It’s like trying to teach one advanced shoulder dystocia maneuvers before they’ve even delivered a baby. For those who are OCD, order your copy of Pass Your Oral OB/GYN Board Exam by Dr. Das for a complete step-by-step guide. Start today in creating a good habit of collecting and entering cases.

You can do it, we can help.

If you met the August 2 case list deadline, congratulate yourself for getting that big gorilla off your back. Take a one week break to recharge your batteries.

If you’re going to extend to the August 13 deadline, dole over your $330 late fee and “git R done”.

By now, you know the month of your exam. It’s time to research your review course options and register. Obviously we’re a bit biased, as we feel we have the ideal course; however, you should look for the following features. We recommend a BOARD review course, not just a review course, for an exam focused review. There is precious little time to wade through the volumes of material to figure out what to prioritize. You also want a faculty with extensive speaking experience. The fact that they research and publish is irrelevant, as the answer guide to the test and henceforth their lectures should be based on what ACOG recommends. The faculty especially needs to be knowledgeable in the oral exam and provide specific services in mock oral exams, case list review and case of the day. Ideally complement the content covered at the review course with an oral exam and Case of the Day Workshop devoted to the strategy in taking an oral exam. The earlier you take these services the better, as your studying will take far more time than you budgeted, so it is better to identify as early as possible the topics you need to prioritize.

Half of your test is defending your case list. Send your case list NOW to your following local/regional consultants or colleagues for recommendations in DEFENDING your case list:

Make sure you give them a strict deadline. Since the clock is ticking, schedule now a time to sit down and review their recommendations. The ABC faculty can review your case list one-on-one at the fall courses or can provide a Comprehensive Case List Review.

Spend the second week in August drafting a study plan. Remember this is not set in stone, but it’s imperative to know what you’re up against. If your test is in November, you’ll be shocked with how little time is left. On the other hand, if your test is in January, don’t procrastinate and waste precious time either.

You can do it, we can help.

Study Tip