Wednesday, October 24, 2007

New Online Self-Assessment Examination in Clinical Neurology Offered by AAN

From the official website of the American Academy of Neurology:
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The AAN has launched a new online product called the Self-Assessment Examination in Clinical Neurology.

The examination is designed to help neurologists meet the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) self-assessment and lifelong learning requirement for Maintenance of Certification. The content outline is based on the one used by the ABPN for its Maintenance of Certification Examination in Neurology.

Features of the AAN Self-Assessment Examination in Clinical Neurology include:

  • 100 Multiple-choice questions in 20 specialty areas to help you determine your strengths and areas for improvement
  • Take online on your own schedule, as a timed test or at your own pace
  • Receive immediate or delayed feedback by subspecialty area and suggestions for further reading
  • Compare your performance to other neurologists
  • Print and/or save the entire examination, including responses, correct answers, and critiques
  • Access to examination questions and responses for up to eight months after the date of purchase
  • $99 for AAN Members and $149 for non-members
For more details, please click here...
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Best wishes
Osama Amin

Internal Medicine 2008


From the official website of the American College of Physicians:
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Welcome to the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine 2008

Washington, DC hosts this year's premier scientific meeting for internal medicine on
May 15-17, 2008. Meet internists from around the globe and around the corner, take advantage of special networking and social events, experience the culture of America’s Capital, and leave with a new sense of excitement about internal medicine.

Click here for more details...

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Best wishes

Osama Amin


MKSAP 14 by the ACP...


For those who are preparing for the MRCP(I) and MRCP(UK) part II written examination, I would recommend reading this superb teaching book. Although being Non-British in origin and target, It will lead you the way towards the MRCP diploma.

Click here to know more...

Best wishes to future MRCP candidates

Osama Amin

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Business of MRCP and the Fresh MRCPians!


"The man who reads nothing at all is better than educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers"
"When wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality"
President Thomas Jefferson



Every now and then I receive an email or a phone call or even a formal letter from friends, colleagues...etc saying that they are intending to be physicians and they are about to start reading and studying for the MRCP examination. Many are standing dazed and confused in the center of a circle of disorientation. What book(s) to choose, what website(s) to to subscribe with, do I need more than a few months, what questions to anticipate?...etc.

Few years ago, the net was some what defective in providing the required information about the horror of the MRCP, and the resources composed almost entirely of small books and 1 or 2 websites offering an "online" form of teaching. Now a days, the net is overflowing with information, resources, websites, personal blogs, forums...etc. But, should we believe and trust all of them? Do they really reflect the real examination? Are they counterproductive in reality? Do they deserve the cost?

I've conducted a small and short listed questionare for those who are preparing for part I examination. The out come:
a. Difficulty: 87% think that it is a "very difficult" examination". 11% said that it is "somewhat" difficult", and the remaining wrote " not that difficult". No one ever said that it is an easy one.

b. Reason for difficulty (for someone who did not participate in that examination): 83% said that they have a friend or a colleague who was successful in passing part I examination after at least one trial. 9% had read the "stories and advices" about past examinations in the net and they construct a foggy picture about what to face. 8% said that the questions are being put by the royal college, so the examination "must" be difficult.

c. Areas of weakness: 93% think they are defective in immunology. 89% said they are confused when reading neurology. 88% for pharmacology and toxicology. Other subspecialties were below 40%.

d. Duration of studying and preparation for part I: 78% said that they were "advised" to study for 4 months only. 15% from 4 months to a year. 6% for more than a year. Only 1% said that they don't know how much time do they need to fill in their areas of weakness.

e. Resources: The options were multitude;
1- Medical textbooks: 62% for Kumar. 36% for Davidson's. 2% only read other textbooks (Harrison's, Cecil's...etc). Additional 43% add Kalra book with their main textbook.
2- MCQs and Best of Five books: The percentages were scattered somewhat equally throughout many books available in the market.
3- Websites:
a. Only 36% had subscribed for an account in one of the non-official MRCP websites.
b. Why that website specifically: 70% said that it is "mentioned too frequently" in the MRCP forums. 10% "suggested" by a colleague or friend. 10% through web search". 10% no specific reason.
c. Cost: 96% agreed to be to "much expensive for such a short period". 3% not that expensive. 1% only think that its cost is fair.
d. The interactive "thing": 40% "enjoyed" the active participation. 40% Don't care. 10% did not like this time consuming process.
f. Is it better than reading a "real BOF/MCQs book"?: 100% said no.
The comments were (some of them): My internet line is slow, I don't like "PC studying", I pay too much for "something that I will not have eventually", I have no other choice, It is a way of spending time while studying.

Any way, long time ago, I noticed that almost all MRCP candidates read only "small" best of five commercial books, and some do non-official MRCP websites, and they depend heavily on them to "finish" the preparation "quickly".

The first thing to drag attention is the title; like MRCP questions, rapid preparation course for MRCP, MRCP best of fives...etc. Second is the "British" origin of the book, whether the publisher or the writer or the website. Very very few candidates "read" non-MRCP entitled books and non-UK based books or websites during the journey of the MRCP. Third is the price! A small booklet may cost you 40 USD!

The "fresh" MRCP candidate thinks that an MRCP book reflects the real examination, always! They don't know that many "MRCP books" and "non-official MRCP websites" are a "business", that is a way of making profits! The word MRCP is being abused every day and by many to sell few pages or questions to new candidates (who are frightened and having an MRCP phobia).

Now a days there is a propaganda describing the MRCP examination as being a very hard and expensive examination with a very high rate of failure, and that the candidate should be equipped with "certain" materials. These materials need to be purchased! An example is to pay about 200 USD to subscribe for an online written course covering only few months (while Harrison's needs about 80 USD!!!). Another example is to pay more than 1000 GBP for a 5-day clinical course!

Some may advertise about themselves in a cleaver way; a great example is posting in the MRCP forums (a previous epidemic, burnt out now) where someone posts a message saying that:

1- How I managed to get 85% in part I (and mentioning the name of a book or a commercial website, over a period of 2-4 months only!).

2-I did this "commercial" website and got 80% and I recommend it.

3-I'm new to MRCP, I'm doing this website, any one to study with?

4- I have a password of this website account valid for 2 months, any one to buy it?

5- This MRCP book is for sale?

6- Who appeared in this examination diet (or I appeared in this examination diet)? Please post what you remember ( a way to know about the current examination questions and themes and to make questions covering them, and to draw a gloomy picture that no one was good and he should have done this commercial website in order to make a fair pass!).

7- What do you think about this website or book? Any one?

8- And many other ways...

I understand that those writers and their websites and courses "run a business", and they spend money to maintain servers, pay salaries, advertise, pay taxes...etc. But unfortunately, it is becoming out of control, like a stock market!

I can assure you that:

1- The failure rate is some what high simply because of lack of preparation. What do you expect from someone who has a poor background and tries to be efficient after 2-4 months of reading superficial things!? I think it is an easy one, cheap, and no need for such distracters and this money scattering.

2- Not every MRCP book or website is trustworthy; some might be yes, but some are purely commercial with many scientific and clinical mistakes. Better is to read trustworthy well-known textbooks (which may have a self-assessment booklet).

3- Don't be fooled by what is published as "stories and experiences" in the MRCP forums. Almost all are fake and destructive, and are a way to create a propaganda. You will notice that someone appears in the forum, makes many posts ( actually a propaganda) and then disappears all of a sudden! Take the story from your friend, colleague, or a famous journal article.

Best wishes to all future MRCP candidates

Osama Amin


Occam's Razor versus Saint's Triad!


Occam's Razor versus Saint's Triad
Published in the New England Journal Of Medicine Feb 5th 2004, this article had impressed many physicians and trainees. I've read it many times, and every time I get something and learn a hidden tip. I would recommend the future MRCP(UK) MRCP(I) candidates to read it "thoroughly" and to learn the lessons from it. "Always think of a double pathology"

To read the article click here.
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Dr. O Amin

Monday, October 22, 2007

Neurology Themes ans Syllables for MRCP(UK) and MRCP(I)





Preface:
Reading neurology comprehensively for the MRCP examination is a valuable method of getting and securing a full mark in that branch; yet, many MRCP candidates are still reluctant to it. Neurology and neurosciences may have some overlap with psychiatry and basics and extending the studying to many subspecialties at once may distract the student and have a counterproductive effect.

Many MRCP candidates depend heavily on commercial MRCP BOF books, rely on past examination syllables, and avoid textbooks. Although this might be of help in passing the examination (usually on the verge of failure) and making the preparation time shorter, I think this method will not make the candidate practically efficient during every day practice after clearing the examination parts.

I would like to stress that the MRCP examinations do not concentrate on rare subjects and topics, like details of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias, or the treatment options of high grade gliomas, or the clinical features of congenital muscular dystrophy. Instead, they cover important clinical scenarios that are likely to be seen during every day practice.

MRCP(UK) part I consists of 2 papers; 3 hours for each, in a best of many question format, 100 questions in each, with an hour of rest between them. Around 5 questions in total do not count to the final score.
MRCP(I) part I consists of 2 papers; 3 hours for BOTH in combination, NO rest between them. Paper I has a multiple choice question style format (50 in no.), and paper II is covered by a best of many question format (50 in no.) with 6-8 photographic materials (ECG, CXR, genetic tree…etc). The latter is not present in the UK counterpart.
MRCP(UK) part II written consists of 3 papers in a best of many style format, 3 hours for each, 90 questions for each, distributed over 2 days (2 in the first day and the 3rd is in the second day), with many photographic materials.
MRCP(I) part II written consists of 3 papers to be completed in one session over 3 hours, NO rest between them. The first 2 are Data Interpretation and Case History, in the form of single line completion. Paper 3 is the best of many one with computer marked answer sheet to be completed in pencil. Photographic materials are included.

My book "One Year of Hard Work" covers all the "styles" mentioned above but only in the subject of "neurology". This book also covers the most important examination themes and syllables in neurology. You may download it or browse it for free from:

http://www.neurology4mrcp.com/mrcpneurology.html
I hope that this work is helpful to you by making you more orient about what to "see" in the real examination.
Best wishes to all future candidates.

Dr. Osama S. M. Amin MBChB MRCP(I)
Head of Neurology4MRCP.Com

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Freely download this book ( a zipped PDF) from our official website http://www.neurology4mrcp/. Click to download.

Multiple Sclerosis Convention-Manchester 2008


From the official website of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of the UK:


Welcome to MS Life 2008 (29th - 30th March)...
MS Life 2008 will be the biggest ever event in Europe for people affected by MS.The inaugural MS Life in 2006 (see bottom of the page) attracted over 2,700 visitors and MS Life 2008 will build on the success with an enhanced delegate offering.Reasons for attending?...
To hear the latest in development in research from leading world experts on issues such as stem cells, cannabinoids and fatigue...
There will be over 100 exhibitors showcasing products and services headlined by the MS Society and central government...
Live demonstrations and other services such as a supervised creche so the whole family can attend...
Fashion show and evening social event, including an inclusive club night appealing to all age groups...We will be including further information in the next few months, however, if you would like to register your interest now, please complete the following form.


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As a member of this society I wish them all the best, and I hope that you spend a few minutes surfing the website. Why dont you become a member?
Dr. Osama S M Amin MRCP(I)