Residency World - Cardiology

Residency world - Cardiology

This is another popular and competitive IM subspecialty. It also is considered one of the three most procedural subspecialties in IM (sharing the honor with GI and Pulmonary/critical care). Cardiology is a 3 year fellowship, with at least 2 years of required clinical training time. The rest of the fellowship can be spent in research or additional clinical time. The clinical practice of cardiology is highly varied, and it allows for a large number of areas of subspecialization. Cardiologists can do angiograms, angioplasties (with interventional training), right heart catheterization, echocardiograms, manage heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, treat arrhythmias, treat pre- and post- heart transplant patients, and manage adult patients with congenital heart disease, just to name a few. Some cardiologists will choose to do further subspecialty training. After cardiology fellowship, graduates can do a 1-year fellowship in interventional cardiology, where they get trained in such things as angioplasties, coronary artery stenting, valvuloplasty, and even things like pulmonary artery stenting. Another certified fellowship that cardiology grads can do is a 1-year fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology, where fellows are trained in pacemaker placement and interrogation, intracardiac defibrillator placements, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and VT/VF and afib/flutter ablation techniques, among other procedures.

Source: http://www.usmlestep.com

What is "fast-tracking?"

What is "fast-tracking?"

Fast tracking, or short tracking, is an option that some residents do who are interested in pursuing academic medicine in a certain subspecialty. People who fast track complete their IM residency in 2 years, instead of 3 years, and then start their fellowship after their second year. The catch to it is that they have an extra year of research added on to their fellowship, so it does not save them any overall time. Advantages of fast tracking include: the ability to pursue a more in-depth research project as a fellow in order to jump-start one's academic career; and less overall clinical training time (some may view this as a disadvantage). A major disadvantage is that in order to fast track, the resident must pretty much know which subspecialty they want to pursue before they even start residency, because they will have to apply for fellowships early in their intern year, and they will not have enough time to adequately explore most subspecialties. Most people who fast-track have MD/PhD's or have already done extensive research in their intended subspecialty. In order to short track, you must get permission from your residency program, then apply and get accepted to a fellowship program as a short-tracker. You do not have to stay at the same institution as your residency in order to short track, although that is the most common way to do it.

Source: http://www.usmlestep.com

Which IM subspecialties are more competitive to get into then others?

Which IM subspecialties are more competitive to get into then others?

Right now, most people agree with the following order of competitiveness:

Most Competitive:
Cardiology
Gastroenterology
Allergy and Immunology

Moderately Competitive:
Pulmonary
Nephrology
Hematology/Oncology

Mildly Competitive:
Infectious Diseases
Endocrinology
Rheumatology
Geriatric Medicine

REVIEW OF STEP 1 MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

September 29, 2006

The USMLE program recommends a minimum passing level for each Step. Medical licensing authorities may accept the recommended pass/fail result, or they may establish their own minimum passing requirements. The recommended requirements to pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 3 were originally identified in the early 1990’s and the Step 2 Clinical Skills standards were first identified in November 2004.

The USMLE Step Committees are responsible for the design and development of the Step examinations, as well as establishing and monitoring standards. These committees are made up of physicians and scientists who bring educational, licensing, and practice perspectives to this process. Every three to four years a Step Committee is asked to complete an in-depth review of standards. This process is about to begin for USMLE Step 1. The current recommended minimum passing score of 182 was most recently reviewed in 2003.

The Step 1 Committee is scheduled to assess the minimum passing score at its meeting on December 12-13, 2006. In its review of the minimum passing score, the Step 1 Committee will consider information from multiple sources including: 1) results of surveys of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, medical school faculty, samples of examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations; 2) recommendations from independent groups of physicians and scientists who will participate in content-based standard-setting activities late in 2006, 3) trends in examinee performance; and 4) score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision. The decision of the Step 1 Committee will be posted at the USMLE website. If the Committee determines that a change is appropriate, the new recommended minimum passing score will become effective for all examinees who begin their Step 1 examination on or after January 1, 2007.

Blueprints

Blueprints Obstetrics and Gynecology (Blueprints)

Download from 4usmle.net


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Blueprints Pediatric Infectious Diseases (Blueprints)

Download from 4usmle.net


Designed as a quick read for both students on a pediatrics rotation and others who want to
know more about the specialty, Blueprints Pediatric Infectious Diseases covers the
essentials of pediatric infectious diseases that every practitioner will need to know.

Pocket-sized and practical, these books will cover the most common conditions students are
likely to encounter. Each guide focuses on the essential content students need to know
during a rotation allowing for a fast, easy read. The text emphasizes pathophysiology,
diagnosis, and treatment. Twenty-five multiple-choice and matching review questions are
included to help students test their understanding of the subject.

The book also features valuable appendices on career and residency opportunities,
commonly prescribed medications, and a list of suggested additional reading for those who
would like to learn more.

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Blueprints Pediatrics (Blueprints)

Download from 4usmle.net


More than just Board review for USMLE, Steps 2 & 3, Blueprints Pediatrics, 3rd edition can help you during clerkship rotations and subinternship. The new edition has been updated with the help of residents to maintain a student-to-student approach. Features include:

* Concise, accurate, clinical high-yield content covering all you need to know for the USMLE and rotations
* USMLE style questions with full explanations provided in the answers
* Key Points in every section highlighting the most important, high-yield information for each topic
* Color-enhanced design to increase the usefulness of figures and tables

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Blueprints Medicine (Blueprints)

Download from 4usmle.net

Can help you during clerkship rotations and subinternship. They are especially helpful
when studying areas outside your specialty. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners
and osteopaths find Blueprints a helpful companion to their study materials as well.

Rapid Review Pathology (Rapid Review)

After reading BRS and most of Robbins, this remains the strongest resource. Concise for its subject, it covers the important aspects of path while digging for those little, annoying details and disorders that only show up on board exams. Goljan is a true pro at teaching this, with several years at Kaplan and Oklahoma Osteopathic, and he has constantly been grilling students for more information after they have taken their exam. Master this book, and you will not only do well in path, but also have a good foothold in other subjects like pharm, micro, and biochem due to Goljan's ability to integrate several fields into path. His work has continued to help me in third year rotations, as he also discusses diagnostic tests and treatments. The accompanying Q&A CD is unfortunately poorly made, but the quality of questions is very strong. I generally read Robbins or lecture material along with this text to lay a foundation for knowledge, but come test time, you want to cut the fat, and every word here is money. Try to get the accompanying audio CDs off Ebay for reinforcement. I largely credit Goljan's materials along with Robbins Review of Path (question book) for a 98 percentile on the path shelf and a 258 on Step I. This man may have taught me more academic medicine than anyone else. I truly hope you can benefit from this text as well.

Mayo 2005 IM - What is inside?

This is 29 DVD disks:
The following topics are covered in Mayo Internal Medicine Videos:


How to Prepare for the ABIM Certification and Maintenance of Certification Examination
Amit K. Ghosh, MD
Hematology — Anemias
Thomas M. Habermann, MD
Hematology — Malignancies
Thomas M. Habermann, MD
Preventive Medicine
Sally J. Trippel, MD, MPH
Psychiatry
Bruce Sutor, MD
Cardiology — Mechanisms, Diagnosis & Therapies for CV Arrhythmia’s
Peter A. Brady, MD
Cardiology — CAD/MI
Abhiram Prasad, MD
Geriatrics
Darryl S. Chutka, MD
Neurology — Part I & II
Brian A. Crum, MD
Nephrology — Part I & II
Robert C. Albright, Jr., DO
Cardiology — Arrhythmia EKG’s/Clinical Syndromes
Peter A. Brady, MD
Cardiac Physical Exam
Kyle W. Klarich, MD
Cardiology — Systematic & Congenital Heart Disease
Kyle W. Klarich, MD
Gastroenterology — Liver
John J. Poterucha, MD
Pulmonary — Signs & Symptoms, COPD, Pulmonary Functions, Cystic Fybrosis, and Sleep Disordered Breathing
John G. Park, MD
Pulmonary — Diffuse Lung Disease, Occupational Lung Disease
Timothy R. Aksamit, MD
Infectious Diseases — Bacterial & Mycobacterial Pathogens
Larry M. Baddour, MD, FACP
Pulmonary — Pulmonary Infections
Charles F. Thomas, Jr., MD
Hypertension
Gary L. Schwartz, MD
Chest X-Rays
John G. Park, MD
Pulmonary — Neoplasms, Pulmonary Embolism, Vasculitis
Karen L. Swanson, DO
Allergic Diseases
Gerald W. Volcheck, MD
Gastroenterology — Part I & II
Robert E. Sedlack, MD
Gastroenterology — Colon & Pancreas
Thomas R. Viggiano, MD
Infectious Diseases — Fungi, Viruses, Parasites & Other Pathogens
Abinash Virk, MD
Infectious Diseases — Clinical Syndromes
Robert Orenstein, DO
Infectious Diseases — Antimicrobial Agents
Irene G. Sia, MD
Infectious Diseases — HIV Infection
Zelalem Temesgen, MD
General Internal Medicine
Scott C. Litin, MD
Topics in Perioperative Management
Margaret Beliveau-Ficalora, MD
Nephrology — Glomerular Disease
Fernando C. Fervenza, MD, PhD
Nephrology — Dialysis/Acute Renal Failure
Amy W. Williams, MD
Oncology — Part I & II
Timothy J. Moynihan, MD
Rheumatology — Part I & II
William W. Ginsburg, MD
Dermatology
Lisa A. Drage, MD
Women’s Health Issues
Lynne T. Shuster, MD
Images in Internal Medicine
John B. Bundrick, MD
Rheumatology — Part I & II
Clement J. Michet, Jr., MD
Hematology — Part I & II
Thomas M. Habermann, MD
Non-Internal Medicine for the Internist: Urology, ENT, Ophthalmology
Alan K. Duncan, MD
Critical Care Medicine
Otis B. Rickman, DO
Thyroid & Parathyroid
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD
Diabetes & Hypoglycemia
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD
Genetics
Virginia V. Michels, MD
Pituitary & Adrenal Medulla
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD
Adrenal Cortex & Gonads
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD
Medical Ethics
C. Christopher Hook, MD
Vascular Medicine
Peter C. Spittell, MD
Cardiology CHF/Cardiomyopathies
Barry L. Karon, MD

Want to get them all?
Click here to get Mayo IM Videos

Mayo 2005 Internal Medicine Videos

Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review is an intensive program designed to help candidates apply the 'finishing touch' to their preparations for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification and maintenance of certification examinations. For the practicing physician, it also provides a comprehensive overview of all areas in Internal Medicine. All course faculty are affiliated with Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and have had extensive experience in training candidates for various certification examinations. This course is an extension of Mayo’s highly successful and popular tradition of annual board reviews for Mayo Clinic residents and fellows.

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Seven Year Rule and the USMLE

Seven Year Rule and the USMLE

Currently there are 8 States which do not have a 7 year rule concerning the USMLE Examination. What is the 7 year rule? The seven year rule is measured by the total number of years it took to pass the First Step of the USMLE by a physician and the Final Step of the USMLE. If it took more than 7 years between the two then most Boards will not issue a license to the Physician. The Board which have this rule typically will require that the Physician take one of three courses:

1. Retake the Steps of the USMLE which fall out of the 7 year period from the passing of the last Step.

2. Sit and pass the SPEX examination

3. Apply for a waiver of the USMLE 7 year rule. The Physician must provide a valid reason as to why it took longer than 7 years. These typically include family crisis, health issues, Civil Unrest, and Natural Disasters. The route is not guaranteed. The Board can arbitrarily decide not to issue the license.

The States which do not have a 7 year rule for the USMLE are as follows:

California	Florida	Kansas (10 years)
Louisiana	Michigan	New Hampshire
New York	Wyoming

This information is valid as of April 5th, 2006. As with all information posted on this site, it is subject to change. If you have any specific questions you can call the individual Medical Board.

The fastest Medical Boards

# 1 - Indiana Medical Board

The Indiana Medical Board can issue a Temporary License in 2 weeks given that everything falls into place. The Indiana Medical Board has limited verification requirements which allows for an expedited process. The verifications which are required are limited to the NPDB-HIPDB report, Medical School Transcripts, Board Scores, and State License Verifications. Most licenses with Indiana are issued between 1 1/2 to 3 months.

# 2 - Michigan Medical Board

The Michigan Medical Board is the only State with True Reciprocity. If a Physician has held an active License in the USA for at least 10 years, then the only verifications which are required are State License Verifications. Most licenses with Michigan are issued within 1 1/2 months to 3 months. If a Physician hasn't held a license for 10 years then the Physician's Medical School, State Licenses, and Board Scores have to be sent to the Michigan Medical Board.

# 3 - Virginia Medical Board

The Virginia Medical Board is one of the best managed Boards in the United States. Upon the completion of the Physician's file, the licenses are issued within 2 weeks. Although the Board verifies all education and 5 years employment they do not loose verifications in their mail system. If it is mailed to Virginia then it will be placed in your file. This seems trivial but having to request verifications 2 to 8 times (i.e. Arkansas Medical Board & Kentucky Medical Board) can cause significant delays of weeks to months. Our firm is very fast and efficient. This combined with the quality of management at Virginia ranks them as one of the fastest Medical Boards. Most licenses with Virginia are issued after 8 weeks.

ECGMG - frequently asked questions

1. What is the difference between a confirmation report and a status report?

   A confirmation report verifies only whether an international medical graduate is ECFMG certified. A status report also verifies ECFMG certification status, but also indicates passing performance on exams, medical school information and the status of the individual's medical education credentials.

2. Which examination scores are provided on a status report?

   A status report provides information on the examination(s) passed for ECFMG certification. If subsequent examinations have been taken, the requester may have to contact the appropriate registration organization to obtain information on these examinations. Scores for USMLE Step exams are not included in Status Reports. These scores are reported in USMLE transcripts.

3. How long does it take to process a request?

   Requests are processed within two weeks of receipt of a completed request at ECFMG.

4. Can a report be sent by an express mail service?

   A response will be sent by an express mail carrier if a prepaid air bill or account number is included with the request form. This service is not available for requests submitted through CVS ON-LINE.

5. How can requesters verify receipt and processing of their requests?

   ECFMG's Applicant Information Services (AIS) representatives can verify processing of requests. To speak with an AIS representative, call (215) 386-5900.

6. Can international medical graduates request a confirmation or status report for themselves?

   CVS reports are sent only to third parties. International medical graduates can request a USMLE transcript or ECFMG Exam Chart.

7. Are USMLE transcripts sent to state medical boards?

   No. ECFMG will provide Status Reports to state medical boards. This report indicates passing performance on examination(s) for ECFMG Certification. State medical boards that require additional USMLE information should contact the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).

8. Is there a fee for this service?

   Yes. The fee is $25 per report.

9. Can CVS fees be paid with a credit card?

   Yes. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards are accepted for payment of the fee of $25 per report. Requesting organizations must complete a Credit Card Payment Form.

10. How is incorrect information on a report corrected?

    Upon notification of the discrepancy, ECFMG will review the physician's file. In some instances, the physician may be required to submit documents to ECFMG. If information is changed, ECFMG will send a revised report.

11. How are requests from "Fifth Pathway" physicians handled?

    Fifth Pathway is an American Medical Association program. Fifth Pathway physicians are not certified by ECFMG. As a result, ECFMG does not verify Fifth Pathway status. ECFMG will send a response stating that the physician is not ECFMG certified.

12. How are requests regarding graduates of medical schools in Canada and Puerto Rico handled?

    Graduates of medical schools in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada are not considered "international medical graduates" and therefore are not required to obtain ECFMG Certification. An ECFMG Identification Number is issued to graduates of Canadian medical schools only for purposes of Exchange Visitor Sponsorship (J-1 visa). ECFMG will send a letter explaining this ECFMG policy in response to these requests.

13. What if the requesting organization does not receive the report?

    ECFMG will honor requests for duplicate reports at no additional cost up to ninety days after the date that the original report was processed.

ABIM Internal Medicine boards - 10 Tips

* When & How to study for ABIM exam: During your medical residency, schedule time to study for the ABIM Internal medicine boards. The third year (PGY 3) of your residency should be your main time of preparation. Reading alone is usually a bad strategy and often depressing. You may not be able to retain much of the ABIM material that you reviewed alone either. Try to form a study group with other PGY 3 residents who will be taking the same ABIM Internal medicine boards. This will boost every ones morale and give a common sense of purpose. Set a mutually agreeable time for the discussions. The best time to study in a group is over the weekend when none of you have residency obligations. Spending three or four hours every weekend (once a week) is enough to stay focused. Understand what you are studying and the reasons for it. Keep asking yourself the question “why?” and “why not?”

* Study groups: It is crucial that you keep your study group small and stay focused on your ABIM Internal medicine board exam goals. An ideal number would be three or four residents. More than four residents would be counter-productive. Try to have a schedule and read ahead of the planned discussion. By preparing ahead, you will save time, cover more topics and retain more from the discussion. The study group will work best if all participants follow the same board review material. However, different ABIM board review material could also work to your advantage. A good plan is to discuss your ABIM Internal medicine board review study material (Medstudy / Mayo clinic review etc) for the first two hours and then solve multiple choice questions (MKSAP) for the next two hours. Solving multiple-choice questions in groups and discussing each option in detail is vital in developing your thought process and sharpening your clinical decision making skills. You will realize the usefulness of the study group and thank your colleagues when you sit for the actual ABIM Internal medicine boards.

* What to study for ABIM exam: Decide on the ABIM Internal medicine board review material you wish to study from. We have reviewed some commonly used material in this website. The important thing is to choose what works best for you. Choose one ABIM board review textbook and stick to it. It is far more advantageous to revise the same material several times than reading several different materials and getting confused. You must concentrate on solving MKSAP or Medstudy questions at least 50 % of your preparation time.

* Create and devote time to prepare for your ABIM boards. Remember, medical residency is the best time to prepare for the boards. Once your residency is completed, you are thrown out into the real world. If you are starting a fellowship, you will not find much time to study. If you are starting a job as a new physician, your first month will be busy learning the intricate details of medical practice and the paperwork that comes with it. You will most likely, end up designating ten days for study just prior to the exams and as we all know that never works out. So once again, residency is the best time to study. You will not find that kind of quality time after your residency.

* Prepare a schedule to study for ABIM Internal medicine board exams and hang it in a prominent place. You will make several changes to this over time. Plan to revise the ABIM Internal medicine board review material that you have chosen several times (minimum twice). Stay focused throughout the third year of your residency. By middle of the third year, your ABIM Internal medicine board review preparation must be at its peak. If you have not yet formed a study group, now is your last chance.

* Solve questions similar to ABIM exam content: Don’t try to read the ABIM Internal medicine board review material from “cover to cover”. You will not retain much. The best way to prepare is to solve questions, then read the explanation and then look up additional information related to each of the choices (options). This really improves your understanding of the question, familiarizes you with the “teaching principle” and the “testing objective” of that question (which may be repeated in the actual ABIM Internal medicine board exam), and gives you an opportunity to learn about all the other choices and how they differ from the correct answer. Ideally you should be solving MKSAP questions in your second year of residency (PGY 2). If this is not the case, you must definitely begin doing the MKSAP questions by the start of your third year of residency (PGY 3).

* Pictures & Images: Pictures of skin disorders, X-rays and other images given in board questions are generally easy ones to score points. Looking at the image first, before reading the question, usually helps spot the abnormality. Reading the ABIM question’s stem after that will help you put the pieces of the puzzle in place.

* ABIM answering strategies: When reading long multiple choice questions, it may be useful to first read the actual “lead line” of the ABIM Internal medicine board exam question. Once you understand what the question is asking, you can stay focused and look for clues in the long stem of the ABIM exam question. This strategy will also save you time. Several residents have found this strategy useful. As you read through the question, you may also find it useful to underline the key facts and abnormal findings. Once you have gone through the choices, it will be easy to look at the underlined abnormalities and try to “connect the dots”.

* Zebras: Use exam “techniques” to your advantage. Look for target words in ABIM Internal medicine board exam questions. These are referred to as “zebras”. For example in an ABIM exam question, if you see the word “anosmia”, think Kallmann’s syndrome. If you see the phrase “scar on left abdomen”, think splenectomy and look for encapsulated organisms causing sepsis. If the patient is from the Ohio or Mississippi river valleys, think histoplasmosis (CXR calcifications).

* ABIM exam day: Do not study the day before the ABIM Internal medicine boards or in-between the ABIM exam sessions. Discussing the ABIM exam questions with other residents may upset you and adversely affect your performance in the next session. Remember, “What is done, is done”. So don’t cry over spilt milk. Rather, stay focused and conserve your energy for the next ABIM board exam session.

NBOME, COMLEX and USMLE

What is the NBOME?

The NBOME is the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. It's a nonprofit corporation dedicated to serving the public and state licensing agencies by administering examinations testing the medical knowledge of osteopathic medical students and interns. The NBOME was established in July 1934. Its website is at http://www.nbome.org

What is the COMLEX?

In order to more accurately measure the knowledge required by today's physicians, the NBOME initiated the three-level Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) to replace the former three-part NBOME examination series. The COMLEX is a three part exam. Each exam is administered over a two day period, and employs an osteopathic primary care approach to patient care fully integrated throughout the examination.

What is the USMLE?

The USMLE is the United States Medical Licensing Exam -- it is taken by allopathic medical students and interns. It is administered by a Committee Consisting of representatives of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMGSM), the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), and the public. The Composite Committee establishes policies and procedures for the USMLE program. The USMLE website is at http://www.usmle.org.

When do medical students and interns take the COMLEX?

The first COMLEX is usually taken at the completion of the second-year of medical school. The next COMLEX is taken during the fourth year of medical school. The final exam is taken during the internship (first residency year).

Why do I need to take the COMLEX?

All states require you to have passed a licensing exam before they will issue you a license to practice. Most osteopathic medical schools require COMLEX as part of the process towards graduation. It is also used by residency programs to make selections of who they will interview and accept for their program. Usually this decision is made only with the scores from the first COMLEX.

Delay in STEP 2 CK SCORE REPORTS

Delay in STEP 2 CK SCORE REPORTS

Normal score reporting for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) usually occurs in 3-4 weeks. However, because of necessary modifications to the test item pool, it will be necessary to delay the reporting of scores of some examinees for an additional 3-4 weeks beyond the normal turnaround period. The target date for reporting Step 2 CK scores for most examinees testing from August 3 through the middle of August will be Wednesday, September 13, 2006.

2006 Match Performance - Number of IMGs Matching Increases

2006 Match Performance - Number of IMGs Matching Increases

For the fourth consecutive year, the number of first year (PGY-1) residency positions offered through the Match increased. A total of 21,659 first year positions were offered in the 2006 Match, held earlier this month. This represents an increase of 205 positions compared to last year and an increase of 1,057 positions since 2002.

The number of IMGs who matched to first year positions increased by 152, compared to 2005. Of the 8,877 IMGs who participated in the 2006 Match, 4,382* (49.4%) matched. In the 2005 Match, 4,230 (55.3%) IMG participants were matched to first year positions.

There was an increase in the number of matches for both U.S. citizen IMGs and IMGs who are citizens of other countries.

Of the 6,442 IMG participants who were not U.S. citizens, 3,151 (48.9%) obtained first year positions. The number of non-U.S. citizen IMGs who obtained positions in 2006 increased by 64 compared to last year. This is the fifth consecutive year that there has been an increase in the number of non-U.S. citizen IMGs matching to first year positions.

Of the 2,435 U.S. citizen IMG participants, 1,231 (50.6%) were matched to first year positions, an increase of 88 over last year. This is the third consecutive year that there has been an increase in the number of U.S. citizen IMGs matching to first year positions.

There were 51 Fifth Pathway participants in the 2006 Match. Of these 51 participants, 22 (43.1%) were matched to first year positions.

*Note: The total number of IMGs who will fill PGY-1 positions for the 2006-2007 academic year will be higher than this number, since a significant number of IMGs obtain PGY-1 positions outside of the Match.

Source: http://www.ecfmg.org/announce.htm#matchperformance

resources for Step 1 - Highly Recommended

Kaplan Qbank and Kaplan Simulated Exam - they contain several thousands of questions.

Kaplan Video Lectures - very popular among medical students.

NBME online practice test-there are 150 free questions on the internet plus I think you can buy more. Will make you feel much better about yourself compared to Q Bank. Suggest you take it as 3, 50 question tests towards end of studying. Comparable to actual boards.

Kaplan webprep (online lectures) and lecture material

University of Utah’s “Webpath”-some students thought it was helpful

Books - highly recommended for USMLE Step 1

Anatomy: High Yield Anatomy
Histology: Section in First Aid is good enough-High Yield has some good pictures you might want to check out
Neuroscience: High Yield Neuroanatomy
Physiology: BRS Physiology-MUST HAVE
Biochemistry: High Yield Biochemistry
Human Behavior: High Yield Human Behavior
Pathology: BRS Pathology-MUST HAVE
Microbiology/Immunology: High Yield is great-good tips for memorization, LANGE for Immunology is probably your best bet, High Yield is OK for immunology
EBM: High Yield Human Behavior, Section from First Aid is adequate-you will just have finished EBM with Dr. Davidson-so don’t stress this topic
Pharmacology: High Yield Pharm and section in First Aid will be enough-test out on pharm shelf and and adjust accordingly

Must have books for Step 1

“First Aid for the USMLE Step 1” by Bhushan, Le, Amin

If reading only one book, this would be the one.
Good overall subject review with advice on all aspects of taking the boards.

Room to fill in extra notes (may want to get your own to scribble in)- This book can only take you so far. I encourage you to take notes from other sources and transfer into this book. Therefore, your last few days of studying you will have all the highest yield info in one book.

Good review of most available books and resources (gives all the other review books a “grade”)

Which USMLE Step One materials/courses did you use?

% of Class Study material/course Score

97.6% Online Qbank 3.74

34.4% Northwestern 1.64

31.1% What You Need To Know 3.34

12.9% Kaplan Live 3.11

0.5% Falcon Review 2.00

94.7% First Aid 3.69

76.1% BRS 3.21

5.7% Other 3.33

Understanding Funding opportunities: Student Jobs, Scholarships & Assistantships

Understanding Funding opportunities: Student Jobs, Scholarships & Assistantships
How do we fund our education while studying at an American University ?

There are three standard sources for Masters and PhD students, which are often clubbed together in a single concept "Financial Aid"

1. Student Jobs: These are the various student jobs that one can on-campus such as Dining services, Library, Book stores, Computer Labs, etc. These jobs typically pay about 6 to 10 dollars an hour and have NO fee waivers.

2. Scholarships : This refers to either partial or complete fee/tuition waivers (i.e. discounts) with or without a monthly or semester scholarship money. These are highly variable and are granted either at the department level or the University level. There are official deadlines for these, so look them on the websites!

3. Assistantships: These are the most sought after funding opportunities because they make life much easier and look good on the resume too.

Assistantships are of two types : Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships. Now, each of these assistantships can either be half-time (20 hours a week) or Quarter-time(10 hours a week) & typically pay about 11.5 to 15 $ per hour. Besides a monthly stipend, assistantships normally include a complete tuition waiver (i.e. complete academic fees discount) AND in most universities now include a free health insurance

A teaching assistant teaches some parts of a course (especially assisgnment discussions and paper gradings) to the undergraduate students. So people, if the department you are applying to, does not have any undergraduate courses, there wont be a teaching assistantship offered !

In many universities, assistantships are often offered automatically to some admitted PhD students. In other cases, they may be reserved only for the students of that particular department. In such cases, some students have known to opt for a dual degree to be eligible for these. For example, I knew a student who came to my university for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and signed up for a dual degree in BioEngineering to get a Assistantship from the BioEngineering Department ! [which obviously also means an extra year - but two Masters :-)]

Top Residency Programs

US News Ranking are the standard reference for rankings used to assess schools and residency programs in the United States.


The Top THREE Residency Programs in Internal Medicine (2006 US News Report)

1. Johns Hopkins University
2. Harvard Medical School
3. University Of California - San Francisco

The Top THREE Residency Programs in Family Medicine (2006 US News Report)

1. University of Washington : Website
2. University of North Carolina-Chapell Hill
3. University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Top THREE Residency Programs in Pediatrics (2006 US News Report)

1. Harvard University
2. University of Pennsylvania
3 . Johns Hopkins University

Looking for free USMLE Step 2 CS cases

Are you looking for USMLE Step 2 CS cases for free.
Try here:

http://usmlestep.com/usmlecsa-step2cs.htm

Pass Program Videos - Dr. Francis empowers you for USMLE

The breakdown of those materials are as follows:

DVD1: Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Hematology, and Immunology 1 & 2, Goljan Audio and Notes

DVD2: Metabolic physiology, Pulmonary functions, Renal functions and Muscle physiology, Biochemistry 1 & 2,

DVD3: Microbiology, Cardiovascular, Cell & Membrane Physiology, Neurology and Vitamins, 300+ pages notes.

The clarity and simplication of the explainations of certain key concepts are second to none. You will understand and retain the specificities of the pathophysiology of the most high yield disease processes that you will be tested on. You will also be provided with test taking skills that will enable you to quickly recognize distractors and clues.

Read more about Pass Program Videos from Dr. Francis here

42 day Study Schedule for USMLE Step 1

Have you checked this USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule?

http://4usmle.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=51

Many USMLE takers consider this as one of the MUST HAVE for Step 1 preparation.

ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Information

ECFMG Basics

The ECFMG is the organization charged with ensuring that physicians who have graduated from foriegn medical schools are qualified to pursue a medical license in the United States. Being certified by the ECFMG is a pre-requisite to applying for the USMLE Step 3 exam, and a pre-requisite for entering an ACGME-accredited residency program. Visit ECFMG.org for details and official requirements.

Eligible Medical Schools

Only students who attended medical schools listed in the International Medical Education Directory (AKA IMED) are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification. The standards are even more strict than simply being listed: a student's year of graduation must also be listed in the IMED database. That is, if you graduated from a medical in a year that your school was not accredited by IMED, you cannot apply to the ECFMG.

Examination Requirements to Apply for ECFMG

In addition to the medical education portion of the requirements, applicants must pass USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (clinical knowledge and clinical skills). As long as you are eligible to take these exams, you may take them in any order. For detailed information on requirements visit the ECFMG official site.

Residencies can be hard to find for international medical graduates. A variety of resources are available to help with the match and scramble, we recommend the IMG Residency Guide.

USMLE score distribution

Most applicants have a general impression of how competitive their USMLE scores are, but it's difficult to get data to support their impressions. We've compiled some data on how competitive USMLE scores are for different situations. Since residency programs are notoriously tight-lipped (and appropriately so) about the USMLE scores of their residents, we can't guaranty any of the conclusions - but we do think they are in the right range. Let us know what you think after you visit this USMLE scores page.

• top internal medicine programs are looking for step 1 scores of 230 or better.
• the average usmle step 1 score for applicants who matched in ophthalmology had a score of 224 (those who didn't match had an average score of 206).
• Passing score (as of 1/16/04) is 182 according the NBME official USMLE site.
• The average score is about 214 (estimate from the score distribution).

Medstudy Videos sale

There are 2 versions of Medstudy Videos available for sale on the market.

1 Version is 20 DVDs - in raw MPEG format -they can be played on any DVD player.
2 Version is 4 DVDs - in DIVX format (MP4 container) - they can be played on computer with the help of software DIVX player. You can read more about DIVX format here.

If you look for a place to buy Medstudy Videos - try looking here

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 Clinical Skills

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 Clinical Skills

The USMLE Step 2 Committee is responsible for setting and monitoring pass/fail standards for the Clinical Knowledge (CK) and the Clinical Skills (CS) examinations. Initial standards for the CS examination were set by the Committee in November 2004. Because this process was completed with less than a full year’s cohort of examinees, the Committee decided to closely monitor cumulative data on CS during the following year and to undertake a review of the CS standards in the Spring of 2006. This review has been completed. Based upon the review, the Step 2 Committee has decided to raise the performance levels required to receive a passing outcome on two of the three Step 2 CS subcomponents: Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE) and Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS). There will be no change to minimum passing requirements for the third subcomponent of Step 2 CS, Spoken English Proficiency (SEP). The new passing requirements will be applied to Step 2 CS examinations taken on and after July 16, 2006.

Read more about this at:
http://www.usmle.org/step2/Step2CS/Step2Indexes/Step2CSIndex.htm#change

What are the most popular Step 2 CS Physical Exam Videos

What are the most popular Step 2 CS Physical Exam Videos

• University of Washington Physical Exam movies
• University of Virginia Physical Exam movies
• Connecticut Physical Exam movies
  

Read more about USMLE CSA Physical Exam movies here:
http://usmlestep.com/usmlecsa-step2cs.htm

Google keywords leading to this USMLESTEPS blog

GOOGLE Keywords Leading to this USMLE Blog

It is really funny to check my stats and track down which google keywords land people on this site...

Perhaps you also used one of them to get here.... Some of them are very very funny!

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Looking for Canada Medical Exam Study Materials (MCCEE or MCCQE)?

To be eligible for MCCQE Part 1, IMGs must pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). The MCCEE is held in various locations throughout Canada and the world, and is open to all IMGs holding an acceptable medical degree.

Passing the MCCEE gives access to MCCQE Part 1. For access to Part 2, both a pass standing on Part 1 and previous completion of twelve months of postgraduate training are required. This training may be taken anywhere in the world.

There is a lot of overlap between USMLE and MCCEE/MCCQE - try http://www.usmlestep.com for more information about USMLE materials.

Kaplan Webprep - vs. Kaplan Video Lectures

Great review for USMLE Step 1

• Immunology (3 hours)
• Behavioral Science (10 hours)
• Pharmacology (10 hours)
• Biochemistry (11 hours)
• Physiology (10 hours)
• Anatomy ( 13 instead of 6 hours)
• Pathology (12 hours)
• Microbiology (6 hours)
• Medical Genetics (6 hours)

http://usmlestep.com/webprep2005.htm

Kaplan Notes for USMLE Step 2

Kaplan Notes for USMLE Step 2

There a 6 books covering the following topics:

Cardiology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Hematology
Infectious Diseases
Nephrology
ObGyn
Preventive Medicine
Psychiatry
Pulmonology
Rheumatology
Surgery

There are 2 editions of USMLE Step 2 Notes available: US and international.
They are same in terms of content - the onyl difference is the quality of paper used for printing.


You can get scanned notes or hardcopy notes from here:

http://usmlestep.com/kaplan-step2-notes-2005.htm

Usmle Step 1 Kaplan Video

Also known as Kaplan CenterPrep Videos

Anatomy and Embryo- Dr. David Seiden- ~12.5 hours
Genetics- Dr Vernon Reichenbecher - ~6.5 hours
Histo- James White- ~3.5 hours
Physiology- Dr. Robert Dunn- ~30.5 hours
Immunology- Dr. Don Dunn- ~5.5 hours
Micro- Dr. Don Dunn ~ 14.5 hours
Biochemistry- Dr. Lionel Raymond ~20 hrs
Neuro- Dr. James White ~11 hrs
Pharm- Dr Anthony Trevor ~35 hrs
Pathology- Dr. John Baron ~23 hrs
Behavioral Science- Steven Daugherty ~11 hrs

Great for USMLE Step 1 Review:
Read here for more information:
http://usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and the USMLE

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step national competency test required for physicians before they can practice medicine. Step 1 is traditionally taken by second-year medical students, and tests basic physiologic mechanisms and principles. Step 2 emphasizes clinical diagnosis and disease pathogenesis, and is traditionally taken at the end of medical school. Step 3 tests first year residents in clinical management.

Those seeking ECFMG certification can take Step 1 and Step 2 in any order, but must pass both in order to take Step 3. Since their introduction (Steps 1 and 2 in 1992 and Step 3 in 1994) each has been administered twice annually in a two-day format consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), either "one best answer" or "extended matching."

Until last year the USMLE was only administered as a written exam, commonly referred to as pen-and-paper testing (PPT). In March 1999, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) -- after years of study and development, accompanied by much controversy -- launched computerized-based testing (CBT). USMLE Step 1 was computerized in May, Step 2 in August, and Step 3 will be computer-administered in mid-November of 1999. By the end of November, a great many medical students and physicians-in-training will have experienced national standardized CBT.

General Surgery: possible for IMG?

Definitely tough - but a residency in general surgery ain't impossible. A friend of mine recently got a residency position at the Methodist Hospital System in Houston on a J1 Visa and I shall be putting up advice from him pretty soon.

It's surely tougher than IM or FP, and it usually is a 1-year "preliminary" position that is granted.

However, ground work is needed - observerships count a lot ! surgical research too counts. Fellowship options after General Surgery ? These include cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, surgical oncology, plastic surgery, etc.


Here are some places that are knowned to have offered General Surgery Observerships in the past:

St. Luke's Hospital of Bethlehem (PA)
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Buffalo
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Pittsburgh
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin
Vanderbilt University

PLASTIC SURGEON - how much can you earn

Cash is Paper.... Credit Cards are Plastic , whatever it may be, you sure need some serious money if you wanna use the services of a Plastic Surgeon. Hollywood needs them all the time, like Ashlee Simpson and Jessica Simpson recently did for their noses ;-)

Here's are some average plastic surgeon salaries :

Houston: $ 299,000/-
Los Angeles: $ 326,000/-
New York: $341,000/-
Seattle: $317,000/-

How to get into Plastic Surgery ? Let me quote text from the Harvard Program:

"There are two tracks : (1) an independent three-year program open to applicants who have completed at least three years of a general surgery residency or other approved prerequisite residency, and (2) an integrated six-year program open to applicants who have completed medical school. In the six-year program, the first three years will be spent in a general surgery residency with general surgery rotations and rotations specifically relevant to plastic surgery; the final three years will be spent doing a program identical to that of the independent three-year program residents."


Obviousle very difficult for IMG - but there have been a few who made it with proper planning, clinical exposure, knowing the right people and ofcourse - superb surgical skills !

NOTE: Salaries here are the 50th Percentile Salaries and may apply to mid-career levels - the lower percentile salaries (for fresh physicians) may actually be lower by 30,000- 40,000 $

Quality of Kaplan USMLE Videos

One of the most frequent questions that people would ask me is:
"What is the quality of Kaplan USMLE Videos on DVD?"

Well, I guess the best way to know it is to download the samples and then make your judgment. These Kaplan Videos are compressed using DIVX codec - special software that allows you to place full 2-hour movie onto the 700 MB CD-ROM.

This means that you need to download DIVX player to be able to watch the movie. Otherwise, all you will see will the the voice of the stranger form your computer.

To be able to see that stranger you need to install DIVX player.

OK, so if you want to download USMLE Kaplan Video samples - please go here:

http://usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Normal Lab Values

Normal Lab Values can be found here:

http://musom.marshall.edu/usmle/USMLELabValues.htm

Canadian Medical Licensure Exams (MCCEE, MCCQE Part I and MCCQE part II) - and how they match USMLE Exams

The main types of exam formats encountered in Canada include:

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ)
Clinical Reasoning Skills Questions (CRS)
Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)

Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE)

• Paper and pencil-based test
• Multiple-choice questions
• No exclusively Canadian content
• Focuses on basic medical knowledge of the principal fields of medicine, as well as some basic medical sciences as applied to the clinical sciences

A general assessment of the candidate's basic medical knowledge of the principal fields of medicine, including Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Preventative Medicine & Community Health, and Surgery.

Very similar ot USMLE Step 1 Exam - therefore most of USMLE Step 1 materials can be easily used for MCCEE preparation.

Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I

• Computer-based
• Computer-adaptive testing for the multiple choice session
• Multiple Choice (MCQ) and Clinical Reasoning Skills (CRS) questions
• Canadian content

Assesses the competence of candidates who have obtained the medical degree, for entry into supervised clinical practice in postgraduate training programs, with respect to their knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes, as outlined in the MCC Objectives for the Qualifying Examination.

Very similar ot USMLE Step 2 Exam - therefore most of USMLE Step 2 materials can be easily used for MCCQE I preparation.


Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II

• OSCE format (uses standardized patients)
• Assesses knowledge, skills and attitudes (ethical, professional)
• Focus on clinical skills including communication and interpersonal skills
• Canadian content

The MCCQE Part II is comprised of a series of clinical stations. At each station, candidates are expected to interact with a Standardised Patient (SP) in the same way that they interact with actual patients.

Very similar to USMLE Step 2 CS exam - and therefore Step 2 CS (CSA) study materials can be used for MCCQE II

My thoughts about Kaplan USMLE Videos

I have some experience with Kaplan USMLE Videos - that I want to share with my readership.
Kaplan Videos are great resourse for any USMLE taker - but they also have their drawbacks. There is no such thing as a silver bullet - so if you think that once you get Kaplan USMLE Videos, you will automatically pass Step 1 -that is not true.

Interesting fact I read recently - only 10% of people who bought the book in a bookstore had the chance to actually read it from beginning to end. This might be too low value for someone who studies USMLE - but the fact is the fact.

So, if you are just collecting a library of USMLE materials - and piling up Kaplan USMLE Videos, Goljan Audio on Pathology, Kaplan Webprep, Pass Program from Dr. Francis and thousands of remembered questions from past years - you might be scoring as high as a guy across the road who is just reading several books.

The point is - make a plan, make sure it is a logical one, stick with it and review your strengths and weaknesses on a regular basis. Once you know what is your weak area - dive into it using as many materials as possible - be it Kaplan, Goljan, Pass Program os something else.

Good luck!

Why people end up buying USMLE stuff from USMLESTEP.com

Hello,
I want to tell you several things about http://www.usmlestep.com andour usmle materials. You often see a lot of USMLE materials offered on the web,in yahoo discussion groups, forums, ebay and similar places.
One good thing about them is that they are damn cheap - $10, $20 or$40. This is great price and sometimes you are feeling like you mustgo ahead and buy a USMLE package - all included for just $50 or so.
Ok, ok.
3 months later you find out that the disk you received is broken.No matter if it was broken during the shipment or your child (or yoursweet niece or nephew) make a large scratch on its surface.
What are you going to do now? Send an email to XXX@yahoo.com orXXX@hotmail.com or XXX@gmail.com kindly asking for a replacement disk?
90 chances out of 100 that email is not used by that time - and noone is able to help you with replacement disk.
Another consideration - when you are buying aall-in-one-super-collection-to-ace-USMLE - make sure that you reallyneed all the stuff listed there.
I recently looked through the list ofall affixes and suffixes used in medicine offered as a free bonus tothe package. Come on! Do you really think that this information will improve yourUSMLE score???
I am sure you are asking yourself - why would I buy fromhttp://www.usmlestep.com
1. We are here for several years and plan to be here for next severalyears (fingers crossed)
2. We have several thousand satisfied customers (and several dozenpeople who hate us and send meaningless offences about http://www.usmlestep.com in various forums)
3. We offer quality materials and have unconditional 6-monthreplacement warranty. No matter if the disk was scratched by your child, you spilled a coffee or just lost it in transit when you weremoving houses. We will replace your disk at no cost.
We have EVERY major USMLE study material you ever need for USMLE Step1/2/3. We also have many other materials for ABIM boards and even more- ask if you need something that is not listed on our site:
http://www.usmlestep.com
Do not forget - all the materials comes with unconditional 6-month warranty. Any problem is on us - we will ship you replacement and willnot ask questions.

P.S. Many people ask us about testimonials - well the best testimonialis the fact that people start selling our DVDs on E-Bay with the brandnames that were invented by us - Step 1 Deluxe edition or Step 1Premium edition or Step 1 Standard edition.
Read more about these products at
http://usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Just enter your email and you will get a download link to the sampleof these great Video lectures. You will get it within next 10-15minutes, depending on how busy is the internet connection.

P.P.S. We also offer an opportunity for USMLE takers to meet on-line and exchange their ideas - visit us at http://www.4usmle.net

USMLE resources at Rapidshare

Rapidshare is a great source of valuable USMLE texbooks, manuals, questions and other reference materials.

There is a lot of links to Rapidshare USMLE resources at 4usmle.net forum.
Try this link to download the medical books

Oxford Textbook Of Medicine 4th Ed, (Mar 2004)
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th Ed
Oxford Textbook of Surgery (3-Volume Set)
Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry (LANGE Basic Science)

and many more...

What is Goljan Audio?

So you want to know exactly what is Goljan Step 1 Pathology Lectures and what does it include?
Here is an answer for you:

Goljan Audio Day 1:
Cell Injury A ~8.5MB
Cell Injury B ~8.6MB
Inflammation A ~ 8.5MB
Inflammation B ~10MB
Fluid and Hemodynamics A ~8.5MB
Fluid and Hemodynamics B ~8.5MB
Fluib and Hemodynamics C ~7.82MB

Goljan Pathology Day 2:
Nutrition A ~8.9MB
Nurtition B and Neoplasia ~8.7MB
Neoplasia B ~8.7MB
Neoplasia C ~9.9MB
Hematology B ~8.9MB
Hematology C ~8.5MB
Hematology D ~8.7MB
Hematology E ~10.2MB

Goljan Pathology Lecture Day 3:
Hematology F ~8.9MB
Hematology G ~8.8MB
Hematology H ~8.5MB
Cardiovascular A ~10.2MB
Cardio B ~9.4MB
Cardio C ~8.1MB
Cardio D ~8.4MB
Respiratory A ~10.5

Goljan Audio Pathology Day 4:
Respiratory B ~8.6MB
Resp B ~8.7MB
GI A ~8.7MB
GI B ~10MB
Hepatobiliary A ~8.7MB
Hapatobiliary B 8.1MB
Renal A ~8.1MB
Renal B ~10.8MB

Goljan Audio Day 5:
GYN A ~9.1MB
GYN B ~7.8MB
Endocrine ~10.3MB
Musculoskeletal ~8.5MB
Derm ~8.7MB
CNS Special Senses ~7.2MB

Goljan HY 100pages
Goljan HY Notes 36 pages
Goljan Pathology Slides

Get more information about Goljan at:
http://usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

Tips for selecting Study materials for USMLE

1. Determine whether you are visual or audial learner. Visual learners get more from using video materials (tapes, DVD, VCD), whereas audial learners would prefer audiocassettes or audio CD or MP3 CD.

2. You might be better off with just reading notes and memorizing them. Then consider various mnemonics techniques - they are often very helpful to memorize complex chunkis of information.

3. Ask your colleagues and friends how did they obtained study materials. Do not be afraid to aks as many people as possible.

4. Review your strenghts and weaknesses. If you are weak on Pathology - make sure that you have a good study resource on Pathology - Goljan might be good example.

5. Start looking at various USMLE forums (www.4usmle.net or www.usmle.net or www.valuemd.com ) and do not hesitate to ask people out there.

6. Join as many Yahoo Groups on USMLE as possible as listen to the messages.
There is a lot of groups for Step 1 ,Step 2 and Step 3

7. There is a lot of free downloads available on the internet - check the downloads section of large USMLE forums - www.4usmle.net or www.usmle.net or www.valuemd.com

8. Look through various suggestions on-line - there is a lot of usefulo information at USMLE wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USMLE

9. Download couple of Kaplan USMLE Step 1 video samples from www.usmlestep.com

Golan or Goldjan? - common spelling mistake

Goljan or Goldjan or Goldgan?

This is a very common spelling mistake. If you look for Goldjan Audio lecture on pathology for USMLE -then it should be Goljan and not Goldgan (or anything like this).

Please make sure you have this spelling right - and you can find a lot of resources helping you to find a download source for Goljan audio or notes.

Look here for Goljan materials:
http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

Great resources for Pathology Review

Best resources for Pathology Review

WebPath 6.0
The biggest Pathology resource on the net on CD ! Images, questions, explanations. A must for every Pathology review ! A rated in First Aid !

Robbins Interactive Companion
Presents 99 clinical cases and approximately 1,500 images covering topics in general and systemic pathology. Each case includes a clinical description, photomicrographs, radiographs, and gross specimen photos. Referenced to Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 6th ed., (c)1999.

Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease
General Part of this book in HTML format
Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine, McPhee
Concise introduction to pathophysiology focusing on 100 diseases commonly encountered in medical practice. Includes more than 80 case studies and more than 300 illustrations. For students beginning clinical years and studying for board exams.
In WORD Format.

Kaplan Pathology Library
30 chapters of slides

Goljan HY Notes
36/44/100 pages PDF High Yield Notes

For more information visit:
http://usmlestep.com/shop/view_product.php?product=41

Edward F. Goljan Audio Lectures on Pathology.

The much sought after professor Goljan audio lectures series on CD in mp3 format.... these audio lectures cover approx. 40 hours of high-yield pathology. He includes only very high yield material that has appeared on USMLE step 1 exams.

He cuts down a lot of the material for pathology down to only those topics relevant and very high-yield for Step 1.

Very recommended for pathology review - Goljan Audio.



http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

FMG Friendly hospitals

IMG friendly means that the hospital has accepted any IMGs/ FMGs in previous years and / or may be willing to accept more! Conversly it is also true that some programs almost never accept an IMG. Thats why this list of IMG friendly hospitals is useful.

Read more about IMG friendly hospitals:
http://www.usmlestep.com/fmg_friendly_hospitals.htm

Kaplan Webprep for Step 1

Kaplan Webprep is a great audio resource for USMLE Step 1 Review.

It contains audio and slides - visual aids.

The following topics are covered in Kaplan Webprep:

Immunology (3 hours)
Behavioral Science (10 hours)
Pharmacology (10 hours)
Biochemistry (11 hours)
Physiology (10 hours)
Anatomy ( 13 instead of 6 hours)
Pathology (12 hours)
Microbiology (6 hours)
Medical Genetics (6 hours)

More information about Kaplan Webprep can be found here:

Usmle Kaplan Material

What are the most popular USMLE Kaplan materials?

They are available for all steps:

Step 1:
Kaplan Video Lectures - 200 hours of video on 17 DVD
http://www.usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm
Kaplan Webprep - 70 hours of audio
Kaplan Qbank
Kaplan Qbook
Kaplan Notes

Step 2:
Kaplan Video Lectures - 140 hours of video
http://www.usmlestep.com/step2-kaplan-video-dvd.htm
Kaplan Highlights - 50 hours of video
Kaplan Qbank
Kaplan Qbook
Kaplan Notes

Step 3:
Kaplan Video Lectures - 100 hours of video
http://www.usmlestep.com/step3kaplandvd.htm
Kaplan Qbook
Kaplan Qbank
Kaplan Notes

Try startting here:

USMLE Exam

USMLE Exam
So you are about to start USMLE Exam preparation and not sure what all these Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 and CSA mean?
Try starting your journey from one of USMLE communities.

It will be much easier if someone who is having some experience with USMLE exam will walk you through the general requirements, books, video and audio that are helpful for preparation.

Try starting here:

http://www.4usmle.net
This is the most popular USMLE discussion forum

or here:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/usmlestep-1/
This is the largest USMLE Step 1 Yahoo Discussion Group.

or here:
USMLE Step 1 consists of multiple-choice questions prepared by examination committees composed of faculty members, teachers, investigators, and clinicians with recognized prominence in their respective fields. Committee members are selected to provide broad representation from the academic, practice, and licensing communities across the United States and Canada. The test is designed to measure basic science knowledge. Some questions test the examinee's fund of information per se, but the majority of questions require the examinee to interpret graphic and tabular material, to identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens, and to solve problems through application of basic science principles.
Taken from :
http://www.usmlestep.com/usmlestep1.htm

Goljan High Yield notes

Goljan High Yield notes
Goljan High-Yield Notes for Pathology Review are very popular among USMLE takers. one of the reasons why people like Goljan HY notes is that they are succinct and highly relevant.

There are 3 various versions of Goljan HY notes floating on the market. You may get most of them for FREE.

Goljan HY Pathology Notes -36 pages
Goljan HY Pathology Notes -44 pages
Goljan HY Pathology Notes -89 pages

Want to get these Goljan HY notes?

Try this site:
http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

or this:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/usmlestep-1

Mayo Internal Medicine Videos

Mayo clinic Internal medicine board review videos.

This is usually a video recording of the mayo clinic Internal medicine board review live lectures and offers one of the best reviews of academic Internal medicine. The board review videos feature some of the top physicians in the field of Internal medicine.

http://www.usmlestep.com/mayo-clinic-video.htm


How to Prepare for the ABIM Certification and Recertification Examination
Amit K. Ghosh, MD

Nephrology - Dialysis/Acute Renal Failure
Amy W. Williams, MD

Cardiology - Mechanisms, Diagnosis, & Therapeutics for CV Arrhythmias
Peter A. Brady, MD

Preventive Medicine
Sally J. Trippel, MD, MPH

Women’s Health Issues
Lynne T. Shuster, MD

Hematology - Anemias
Thomas M. Habermann, MD

Hematology Malignancies
Thomas M. Habermann, MD

Medical Ethics
C. Christopher Hook, MD

Rheumatology Crystalline Arthropathies Spondyloarthropathies
William W. Ginsburg, MD

Rheumatology - SLE / Scleroderma / Infectious Arthritis
William W. Ginsburg, MD

Nephrology - Acid Base Electrolyte Disorders
Robert C. Albright, Jr., DO

Nephrology - Urolithiasis
Robert C. Albright, Jr., DO

Cardiology - Arrhythmias EKGs/Clinical Syndromes
Peter A. Brady, MD

Non-Internal Medicine for the Internist: Urology, ENT, Ophthalmology
Alan K. Duncan, MD

Cardiology - CHF / Cardiomyopathies
Barry L. Karon, MD

Gastroenterology - Liver
John J. Poterucha, MD

Genetics
Virginia V. Michels, MD

Pulmonology - Diffuse Lung Disease, Occupational Lung Disease
Timothy R. Aksamit, MD

Infectious Diseases - Bacterial & Mycobacterial Pathogens
William F. Marshall, MD

Pulmonology - Pulmonary Infections
Charles F. Thomas, Jr., MD

Hypertension
Gary L. Schwartz, MD

Thyroid & Parathyroid
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD

Pulmonology - Neoplasms, Pulmonary Embolism, Vasculitis
Karen L. Swanson, DO

Critical Care Medicine
Steve G. Peters, MD

Pulmonology - Signs & Symptoms, COPD, Pulmonary Functions, Cystic Fibrosis
John G. Park, MD

Chest X-Rays
John G. Park, MD

Pituitary & Adrenal Medulla
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD

Infectious Diseases - Fungi, Viruses, Parasites & Other Pathogens
Abinash Virk, MD

Adrenal Cortex & Gonads
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD

Infectious Diseases - Antimicrobial Agents
John W. Wilson, MD

Infectious Diseases - HIV Infection
Zelalem Temesgen, MD

Diabetes & Hypoglycemia
Bryan McIver, MBChB, PhD

Nephrology - Glomerular Disease
Fernando C. Fervenza, MD, PhD

Cardiology - CAD / MI
Steve R. Ommen, MD

Oncology - Lung, Breast & Gynecologic Cancers
Timothy J. Moynihan, MD

Oncology - Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary & Miscellaneous Others
Timothy J. Moynihan, MD

Neurology - Localization & Diagnosis
Brian A. Crum, MD

Neurology - Disease Entities
Brian A. Crum, MD

Vascular Medicine
Peter C. Spittell, MD

Psychiatry
Sheila G. Jowsey, MD

Rheumatology - Nonarticular Rheumatism & Vasculitis
Clement J. Michet, Jr., MD

Rheumatology - Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, & Antirheumatic Drugs
Clement J. Michet, Jr., MD

Hematology - Coagulation
Timothy M. Habermann, MD

Hematology - Other Hematologic Issues
Timothy M. Habermann, MD

Geriatrics
Darryl S. Chutka, MD

Allergic Diseases
Gerald W. Volcheck, MD

Infectious Diseases
Robert Orenstein, DO

General Internal Medicine
Scott C. Litin, MD

Images in Internal Medicine
Furman S. McDonald, MD

Gastroenterology - Esophagus & Stomach
Robert E. Sedlack, MD

Gastroenterology - Small Intestine
Thomas R. Viggiano, MD

Gastroenterology - Colon & Pancreas
Thomas R. Viggiano, MD

Cardiology - Physical Exam
Kyle W. Klarich, MD

Dermatology
Lisa A. Drage, MD

Cardiology - Systematic & Congenital Heart Disease
Kyle W. Klarich, MD


Learn more about Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Videos:
http://www.usmlestep.com/mayo-clinic-video.htm

Medstudy Videos - ABIM Internal Medicine

Medstudy Videos - ABIM Internal Medicine

What is Medstudy?

This is Video Lectures Review course that is great for ABIM Internal Medicine Board Exam. It is often used for USMLE Step 3 Review as well.

Program consists of 62 hours of Internal Medicine Videos.
It can be either on 20 DVD or on 4 DVD (DIVX compression). Do you know what is DIVX compression? You can chech the divx site for more details - www.divx.com
DIVX compresses video in the same way as ZIP compresses text files.

2005 edition contains 62 hours of great video lectures.

Videos are in DIVX/AVI format - just 4 DVDs with full content of original 20 DVDs from Medstudy.

600 pages of syllabus also help you to learn materials quick.

Learn more about Medstudy Videos at:
http://www.usmlestep.com/medstudy-dvd-2005.htm

Kaplan Usmle Dvd

Kaplan USMLE DVD

You have probably heard a lot about Kaplan USMLE DVD - or Kaplan USMLe Videos.

So what is it?

This is a digital copy of original Kaplan CenterPrep tapes.

Step 1 Kaplan USMLE DVDs - is 17 disks with 200 hours of high-quality USMLE videos.
http://www.usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm


Step 2 Kaplan USMLE DVDs - is 9 disks with 140 hours of high-quality USMLE videos.
http://www.usmlestep.com/step2-kaplan-video-dvd.htm


Step 3 Kaplan USMLE DVDs - is 5 disks with 100 hours of high-quality videos.
http://www.usmlestep.com/step3kaplandvd.htm

Professor Edward Goljan and his lecture on Pathology

Audio lectures for Pathology Review by Prof. Dr. Edward Goljan

This is the best review for USMLE pathology. People usually use Kaplan books for all of the topics and then supplement it with the Goljan Audio Lectures for Pathology review.

Want to read more about Prof. Goljan's Audio Lectures for Pathology?

Click here:
http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

Step 3 USMLE Kaplan Videos

Step 3 USMLE Kaplan Videos

This is a great Review for Step 3.
The lecturers are:

Cardiology - Fischer
Emergency Medicine - Kornbluth
Surgery - Farooqui
ObGyn- Sakala
Hematology - Fischer
Infectious -Fischer
Neurology - Levy
Pulmonology -Faselis
Pediatrics - Koerner
Oncology-Faselis
Nephrology - Kornbluth
Psychiatry- Gonzales
Ethics- Gonzales
Internal Med- Kornbluth

This is 100 hours of high-quality video in AVI format.

More information can be found at:
http://www.usmlestep.com/step3kaplandvd.htm

Edward Goljan - Pathology Lectures

Looking for Goljan Pathology Lectures for USMLE Step 1?

I know where you can find the Goljan Audio Lectures for Step 1 and Step 2 of USMLE.

Goljan Audio for Step 1 can be found here:
http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

Goljan Audio for Step 2 can be found here:
http://usmlestep.com/shop/view_product.php?product=27

Good lck in your studies - hope that Goljan review will help you.

Kaplan usmle video lectures

Looking for kaplan usmle video lectures?

We know what it is.
Kaplan usmle video lectures - or CenterPrep Video are available in 2 formats - MPEG and AVI. Both means the same - however, MPEG format is slightly larger in size.

Hence, when buying kaplan usmle video lectures - ask your seller which format is it.

Step 1 Kaplan videos are on 17 DVD disks (AVI format) and include 200 hours of video.

It usually also include scanned notes and some simulated exams.


Please see more details about kaplan usmle video lectures at:

http://usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

You can also download samples of Kaplan USMLE videos at:

http://usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Pass Program Videos -Dr. Francis

Pass Program Videos -Dr. Francis

The clarity and simplication of the explainations of certain key concepts are second to none. You will understand and retain the specificities of the pathophysiology of the most high yield disease processes that you will be tested on. You will also be provided with test taking skills that will enable you to quickly recognize distractors and clues.

Over 71 hours of Live lecture by Dr. Francis all on DVD accompanied by 300+ pages of notes.

The breakdown of those materials are as follows: DVD1: Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Hematology, and Immunology 1 & 2, Goljan Audio and Notes
DVD2: Metabolic physiology, Pulmonary functions, Renal functions and Muscle physiology, Biochemistry 1 & 2,
DVD3: Microbiology, Cardiovascular, Cell & Membrane Physiology, Neurology and Vitamins, 300+ pages notes.

Read more at:
http://www.usmlestep.com/pass-program-dr-francis-usmle.htm

Are you looking for Goljan Audio for USMLE Step 1 or Step 2?

Are you looking for Goljan Audio for USMLE Step 1 or Step 2?

I have some information for share.

He delivers great lectures for Step 2.
There are 24 lectures mp3 audio files cover topics in internal medicine and surgery.
The audio lectures are clear. These are great supplement lectures to gain better understand in areas of Internal Medicine and Surgery.
They also explain well both in basic pathological and clinical aspects of topics in IM and surgery

http://usmlestep.com/

For Goljan's lectures, they include:
1. Acid-Base and Electrolytes
2. Biostatistics
3. Cardiology
4. Dermatology
5. Diabetes Mellitus
6. Ear, Nose, and Throat
7. Endocrinology
8. Gastroenterology
9. Genetics
10. Hematology
11. Immunology
12. Infectious Diseases
13. Laboratory Medicine
14. Nephrology
15. Neurology
16. Ophthalmology
17. Pulmonology
18. Urology
19. Vitamins and Minerals
20. General Surgery

Get more information from http://usmlestep.com/

Kaplan Step 1 Video Lectures (CenterPrep)

Kaplan Step 1 Video Lectures (CenterPrep)

http://www.usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Anatomy and Embryo- Dr. David Seiden- ~12.5 hours Genetics- Dr Vernon Reichenbecher - ~6.5 hours Histo- James White- ~3.5 hours Physiology- Dr. Robert Dunn- ~30.5 hours Immunology- Dr. Don Dunn- ~5.5 hours Micro- Dr. Don Dunn ~ 14.5 hours Biochemistry- Dr. Lionel Raymond ~20 hrs Neuro- Dr. James White ~11 hrs Pharm- Dr Anthony Trevor ~35 hrs Pathology- Dr. John Baron ~23 hrs Behavioral Science- Steven Daugherty ~11 hrs

http://www.usmlestep.com/2005-kaplan-step-1-dvds-lectures.htm

Question on Pathology from www.4usmle.net

54 years old man has 3week history of bilateral ankle swelling.evaluation shown increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure,and all other pressures are normal what is the cause of the swwelling?
a)chronic bronchitis
b)congestive heart failure
c)hepatic venous outflow obstruction
d)lymphatic obstruction
e)nephrotic syndrome

See answer at:

http://4usmle.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=293

Goljan Audio - Pathology Lectures

Edward F. Goljan Audio Lectures on Pathology - 5 days x 8hrs -audio filesin Mp3 format.
The much sought after professor Goljan audio lectures series on CD in mp3 format.... these audio lectures cover approx. 40 hours of high-yield pathology. He includes only very high yield material that has appeared on USMLE step 1 exams. He cuts down a lot of the material for pathology down to only those topics relevant and very high-yield for Step 1.

Read more at:

http://www.usmlestep.com/edward-f-goljan.htm

USMLE Step 1 Tips

Tip 2

When you do Qbank or BSS don't just do the questions and half-assedly go through the answers. Read all the explanations, even the ones you get right. It drills it into your head and, let's be honest, tells you why the answer you guessed is actually the right one.

USMLE Step 1 Tips

Tip 1

Take a couple of days off. Pencil in one day a week. It might be that you'll probably actually work for about half of those days because you took another half day off somewhere else, but planning these sort of days gives you a little leeway in your schedule