Oral Boards 2023

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jon stewart said:
gotcha, so if you get done with one of the views quickly you can use that time for the other views?
also, i guess they wont ask you whats this valve or something if you get a crap view of say apical 4 chamber if you cant even see the valves, they would maybe just ask move the curser to the left atrium or something?

like they would give you a female and ask for a apical 4 chamber?
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I have my doubts they would ask you to do that.
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Results for week 2 (3/27-30) are up, best of luck everyone!
 
PASSED! As far as study prep goes, I did the Michael Ho course and would highly recommend it. It is expensive but worth every penny in my opinion. I don't think there was a question on my exam that his course hadn't addressed in some way, whether it be through the online content or mock exams. I'm sure there are some of you who read this recommendation that could pass without taking a course, a large percentage of people do, especially if you didn't do a non-OR fellowship and are in the OR everyday, but having experienced failing the SOE the first time using UBP, I would pay a lot of money to have a do over and not deal with the year of stress and time commitment taking it a 2nd time. I would also highly recommend working with actual board examiners, they are obviously going to be your best resource when it comes to preparing and working on your answers.
 
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Passed! I’ll give my study experience as well. I went through the rapid review red book twice, the UBP hard copy books once very thoroughly (practiced every answer either out loud or verbalized in my head in the OR), and only a handful of actual mock oral exams with friends from residency. I started about three months out and studied slowly, daily. Like everyone else, I found the answers in UBP to be extremely long winded. On the actual test day, it’s more conversational. The examiner gives you a brief question, you give a brief answer (couple of seconds), they give another brief question and so on. There is no time for verbose answers, as they simply cut you off and move on. Utilize UBP as a source for studying cases, like a textbook, and not as a source for memorizing how to respond with your verbalized answer.

I didn’t take an official course, though I could see the value. I feel as though it could be very useful for those that have a hard time verbalizing. For me, repeatedly doing every answer in my head was enough to allow me to feel comfortable by the end of my studies.

There is no right way to get through this. You simply need to do what is best for you in your unique situation for your unique study style.
 
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jon stewart said:
for the TTE, do they give you a decent patient to do this on? I have been practicing in the ICU on patients and needless to say its not as easy for straightforward as it looks. One pt had copd so it was hard with all the air in the lungs blocking the view, but i had another patient who was normal and still was not easy. Maybe one time i have gotten a long axis view thats somewhat textbook, many times im getting non textbook views. I have also practiced on myself. Maybe i dont know what im doing, i have watched the utah vids and such and dont quite the views as nicely.

I am placing the probe at the right levels and directions n things etc....is it just me? We have only what two mins to get the view and answer their questions?
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Just maximize your positioning for the views. For example: left lateral tilt with left arm behind head for parasternal and apical view and for subcostal relax their stomach like you're doing an abdominal exam by having them bring their feet flat on the bed while supine and with their arms to the side.
 
popnull said:
Just maximize your positioning for the views. For example: left lateral tilt with left arm behind head for parasternal and apical view and for subcostal relax their stomach like you're doing an abdominal exam by having them bring their feet flat on the bed while supine and with their arms to the side.
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Not easy for the majority of general anesthesiologists or non cardiac specialists who don’t do TTEs.
 
Passed! Phew, what a ridiculous ride that was.

In case it helps someone: I started studying about 4 months before the exam, but I was very lazy about it until early January (I took it at the end of March, so this was ~3 months of really solid studying). I did all the UBP case stems twice. The first time through, I was mostly just reading the answers, but I answered them all out loud the second time through. I also read the little red book, "Rapid Review Anesthesiology Oral Boards," twice which I actually thought was really good. It was a good, concise companion to the absurdly verbose UBP answers. I also highly recommend the UBP OSCE add-on. It was really helpful to have lots of monitor/TTE/ultrasound references for the exam. I honestly don't think it taught me things I didn't know, but it was most helpful because it was presented in the same format as the actual OSCE stations. As you go through the UBP OSCE stuff, keep a print out of the ABA OSCE outline and make sure you go line-by-line so you don't miss anything.

I also worked through all of the available oral board stems that are available online (here's a good compilation: http://www.physiciantravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Mock_Oral_Exams_II.pdf) and did as many mock exams as I could with friends and other staff. After I did a bunch of UBP, I found this the most helpful. It helped me organize my thoughts, vocalize things in a concise manner, and my examiners were good about trying to trip me up, derail me, and get me off topic. I agree that this is both a knowledge exam and an endurance exam. By the time I got to the second stem, I was totally fried. But my prep, I think, did a good job of preparing me how to stay on task and think clearly about the basic things I needed to say to get through it. For the OSCE stuff, just remember that it's a game. Be empathetic, a good listener, tell them what they want to hear, etc. They want to make sure you're not a robot and you're capable of some basic reasoning and emotion.
 
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ButterButter said:
Passed! Phew, what a ridiculous ride that was.

In case it helps someone: I started studying about 4 months before the exam, but I was very lazy about it until early January (I took it at the end of March, so this was ~3 months of really solid studying). I did all the UBP case stems twice. The first time through, I was mostly just reading the answers, but I answered them all out loud the second time through. I also read the little red book, "Rapid Review Anesthesiology Oral Boards," twice which I actually thought was really good. It was a good, concise companion to the absurdly verbose UBP answers. I also highly recommend the UBP OSCE add-on. It was really helpful to have lots of monitor/TTE/ultrasound references for the exam. I honestly don't think it taught me things I didn't know, but it was most helpful because it was presented in the same format as the actual OSCE stations. As you go through the UBP OSCE stuff, keep a print out of the ABA OSCE outline and make sure you go line-by-line so you don't miss anything.

I also worked through all of the available oral board stems that are available online (here's a good compilation: http://www.physiciantravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Mock_Oral_Exams_II.pdf) and did as many mock exams as I could with friends and other staff. After I did a bunch of UBP, I found this the most helpful. It helped me organize my thoughts, vocalize things in a concise manner, and my examiners were good about trying to trip me up, derail me, and get me off topic. I agree that this is both a knowledge exam and an endurance exam. By the time I got to the second stem, I was totally fried. But my prep, I think, did a good job of preparing me how to stay on task and think clearly about the basic things I needed to say to get through it. For the OSCE stuff, just remember that it's a game. Be empathetic, a good listener, tell them what they want to hear, etc. They want to make sure you're not a robot and you're capable of some basic reasoning and emotion.
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Agree with the OSCE part. However, make sure you check out the content outline. There are specific things you must hit in some of the scenarios for credit. Easy points to get/miss.
 
regarding the retired stems, when they say SIMV they mean ONLY SIMV correct not SIMV with pressure support? Or does "simv" ALWAYS include associated pressure support?

i thought true SIMV allowed spon breaths but did not support them in any way, and to support them you needed SIMV+Pressure support?
 
jon stewart said:
regarding the retired stems, when they say SIMV they mean ONLY SIMV correct not SIMV with pressure support? Or does "simv" ALWAYS include associated pressure support?

i thought true SIMV allowed spon breaths but did not support them in any way, and to support them you needed SIMV+Pressure support?
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SIMV is a volume-controlled setting so spontaneous negative pressure attempts are synchronized with a volume controlled breath. This isn’t great for weaning bc a small amount of negative pressure (defined by the trigger threshold) will deliver the full preset volume. Pressure support added to SIMV allows you to dial in the level of support for a patient initiated breath.
 
Reveler said:
A friend had an apical 4 in a not-so-small lady and had to have the pt lift up the breast to acquire a decent view
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I'm not going to say that this is...exactly what I had. But I will say it took two hands to move the boulder out of the way so that we could see the 4 rooms inside the house.
 
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those in the AM group who stayed at the hotel, i hear there is some breakfast starting at 6am? is it any good ? is all the food even out by 6am considering registration is 6:15 am. anyone have any recs of other places to get food from the night before?
 
jon stewart said:
those in the AM group who stayed at the hotel, i hear there is some breakfast starting at 6am? is it any good ? is all the food even out by 6am considering registration is 6:15 am. anyone have any recs of other places to get food from the night before?
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Registration is just sitting around in a room doing nothing while you starve with no coffee despite food and coffee being a one minute walk away. Then you get a tiny water bottle and no food for your rest of the day. That's what you get for spending thousands of dollars.
 
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GassYous said:
Registration is just sitting around in a room doing nothing while you starve with no coffee despite food and coffee being a one minute walk away. Then you get a tiny water bottle and no food for your rest of the day. That's what you get for spending thousands of dollars.
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Yes, infuriating, the registration thing is ridiculous. I was going to stay at a different hotel and drive to the testing center, but the ABA told me I had to register at the hotel. Then registration ends up being just sitting there very early in the morning.
 
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dipriMAN said:
Yes, infuriating, the registration thing is ridiculous. I was going to stay at a different hotel and drive to the testing center, but the ABA told me I had to register at the hotel. Then registration ends up being just sitting there very early in the morning.
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You can definitely stay at a different hotel. There's literally zero point of going to that hotel at the crack of dawn when you could easily get to the testing center at 8 am after having breakfast like a normal human being. If they kept the ridiculous 10 year requirement I would have just tapped out.
 
so you register at 6:15 and wait till 7 to take some shuttle bus to the center
Can you show up at like 6:25....I need to eat something/coffee ...
 
jon stewart said:
so you register at 6:15 and wait till 7 to take some shuttle bus to the center
Can you show up at like 6:25....I need to eat something/coffee ...
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Buy something the night before. The hotel coffee shop or restaraunt is not open that early, and there’s nothing really close in walking distance except for a CVS across the street.
 
dipriMAN said:
Buy something the night before. The hotel coffee shop or restaraunt is not open that early, and there’s nothing really close in walking distance except for a CVS across the street.
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Agree, your hotel room has a microwave and a refrigerator. So get what you need the day before, store it and consume in your room especially if you’re in the morning group.
 
Rexmedetomidine said:
Agree, your hotel room has a microwave and a refrigerator. So get what you need the day before, store it and consume in your room especially if you’re in the morning group.
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It's sad though because it is completely unnecessary. Registration is a huge waste of time
 
GassYous said:
It's sad though because it is completely unnecessary. Registration is a huge waste of time
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I wonder why they do it at the hotel anyway. My guess is either no space at the center, lack of parking, or figure it’s easier to transport everyone there (save at least one Uber fare/car rental).
 
ucladoc2b said:
I wonder why they do it at the hotel anyway. My guess is either no space at the center, lack of parking, or figure it’s easier to transport everyone there (save at least one Uber fare/car rental).
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Probably have some arrangement with the hotel.
 
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do you find out if you do the osci first or oral exam first at the hotel registration?
 
Everything about today was awful. I know that stats are in my favor but it’s hard not to feel doom and gloom walking out of there today.
 
ucladoc2b said:
I wonder why they do it at the hotel anyway. My guess is either no space at the center, lack of parking, or figure it’s easier to transport everyone there (save at least one Uber fare/car rental).
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Hahahaha. Someone on the board is getting paid is my first and only guess.
 
ucladoc2b said:
I wonder why they do it at the hotel anyway. My guess is either no space at the center, lack of parking, or figure it’s easier to transport everyone there (save at least one Uber fare/car rental).
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Can you drive yourself from the hotel to the testing center after registration? I hate riding on shuttles
 
Ho's course will provide you with everything you need to pass the exam with confidence and margin of error to spare. Being busy with work and other responsibilities, the audio format of this study material (to listen to in the car etc.) is particularly useful. It's also incredible how many video resources are provided within the course. The opportunity to take multiple mock oral exams with Dr. Ho and other examiners is indispensable to the study process of acing this exam. It truly feels like having a personal coach. Dr. Ho is always available to enter any sporadic questions via text. He will keep you honest in your study process. Just when you think you may have been studying sufficiently, his mock orals will reveal the multiple lacunae in your knowledge base. He will challenge you to truly understand anything you say and to not use extraneous language. I know many people who try to cut corners and use other resources so that they don't have to pay for this course. Big mistake in my opinion. This Course is indispensable and the price is a very small investment compared to the loss you will encourage if you have to take this exam again. That includes time off from work, airfare, paying for the exam again and emotional grief. You may not have thought about the economics of this appropriately since you just started working but I have no doubt this is not the area to try to save money even if you think you can pass without it. This course is everything you need and peace of mind that you know without a doubt that you will pass if you use the materials and mocks as designed.
IDKwhattodoyet said:
Figured I should make one of these for those of us that just signed up. Mine is in early April so about 6 mo away. Thinking about starting the prep since I'm in fellowship.

What resources is everyone planning on using? I've heard of ultimate board prep and Dr. Ho's course. The Dr. Ho's course is pretty $$$.
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mdo1738 said:
Can you drive yourself from the hotel to the testing center after registration? I hate riding on shuttles
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Can't imagine why you'd want to add that extra layer of stress in at the last minute having to find parking in busy downtown and not knowing exactly where to go when you exit your vehicle. On the shuttle they will keep all your airport luggage for you, drop you off at the front door of the building and personally escort you into the test center so you can just relax and check out without worrying about external stressors like getting lost or not finding parking. Plus, as someone else mentioned I don't believe taking the shuttle is optional anyways.
 
DazedWanderer said:
Can't imagine why you'd want to add that extra layer of stress in at the last minute having to find parking in busy downtown and not knowing exactly where to go when you exit your vehicle. On the shuttle they will keep all your airport luggage for you, drop you off at the front door of the building and personally escort you into the test center so you can just relax and check out without worrying about external stressors like getting lost or not finding parking. Plus, as someone else mentioned I don't believe taking the shuttle is optional anyways.
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I live walking distance from the testing center so none of those are factors for me. Oh well lol
 
I feel so miserable about the test. I don’t think I did well in my grab bag questions-all of them. Also forgot a lot of differentials. Do people feel like this and still pass?
 
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Licious_1 said:
I feel so miserable about the test. I don’t think I did well in my grab bag questions-all of them. Also forgot a lot of differentials. Do people feel like this and still pass?
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The pace of the test was very fast. I feel like some of the questions If was being asked if it was a multiple choice test I would have no problems picking answer but on the oral boards appoints I was a little stumped wasn't sure about certain things. Most of the test was very much back-and-forth question answer question answer but there were some points where we were kind of hovering around the same topics, maybe I wasn't answering in the direction they want it I don't know. Didn't feel very good coming out of that at all. Also during the mocks for common questions such as differentials I didn't seem to have a problem but on the actual test at points I felt like I couldn't come up with many differentials. I don't know if I was mentally just getting tired or what was going on. I hope I didn't say anything outrageously bad. Given the pressure and the speed of the test I for sure said some very dumb things that obviously don't make sense and appropriately so the examiners prompted me on my response and I then gave them the more appropriate reply.

I swear I probably looked like the idiot at points maybe the whole test I am not sure. Not feeling great about this thing. Anyone know if there are hard criteria for failing? I hear mostly its an overall vibe about you and no one thing can ruin you but im not sure.

Also I'm not much of a person who talks a lot. I.e. in large groups I'm not the dominant one speaking so I find this aspect of oral boards to be kind of difficult. I think this is much harder than the written exams bin that regard I'm not sure maybe I don't know how to talk properly either haha
 
Took it last week. What did you all think? I completely bombed monitors and stumbled through the SOE. I feel great…
 
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apr27 said:
Took it last week. What did you all think? I completely bombed monitors and stumbled through the SOE. I feel great…
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Thought it was awful. I bombed the ultrasound parts of monitors (didn't get to management on either one), also couldn't get my TTE view, really didn't help that they gave me apical 4 chamber on a female patient. Was definitely bumbling through a lot of the SOE too. I managed to sputter on an easy question or two, but then pulled some random cardiac trivia out of my very non-cardiac mind so hoping that balanced out.
 
Over a week since my exam and still have palpitations and nightmares.
 
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Licious_1 said:
Over a week since my exam and still have palpitations and nightmares.
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I had a temporary high at the thought that maybe I was over with this nightmare...then it clicked at 2am one week after the exam of all the mistakes I made and I am now convinced I won't pass. I feel OK about one SOE and much less than OK about the other. I don't know what to make of the OSCE haha. The monitor section was more difficult than I expected and felt very rushed.
 
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