How to Prepare for the Medical Boards
Secrets for Success on USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1
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Osteopathic Medical students, Allopathic medical students, International medical graduates. The Integration (Excerpt Chapter 5) The board exam has a distinctive methodology, which requires you to make abstract observations, assumptions, and most importantly, integration of concepts as each disease process relates to one another. I will discuss that shortly. Medicine is a study if human pathophysiological phenomenon which are integrated in one form. In medical school, you learn Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Clinical Medicine. These classes are taught as a separate entity. Most students juggle through a rigorous process of the first 2 years of medical school and walk out confused. They have been given all the knowledge they need, in order to be able to apply the information to a clinical setting. Basically, you learn the structure (Anatomy) and function (Physiology) of the human body. This allows you to understand the norm and how it should be. However, when things go wrong (Pathology), you can identify the dysfunction and what caused it (Microbiology), and how to fix it either with the use of medications (Pharmacology), allowing the body to heal itself (Immunology), manipulation (OMT) or surgery if need be. That is medicine in a nutshell. Unfortunately, integration of the information is not well taught. Somehow, you are expected to figure that out. You must learn how to see the big picture and think in that perspective. Patients do not present with symptoms and offer written multiple choice options on their forehead stating the diseases they might have. You are the doctor, and you are supposed to figure that out. If you understand the mechanisms, if you know the “whys” and not just the “whats”, you will be far ahead of the curve. Memorization of facts is not the best way for you study as a medical student. When you begin studying for boards, please make sure you focus on understanding mechanisms, mechanisms, mechanisms, and mechanisms! That is the key!
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Studying for major medical exams can be a confusing and stressful task. In HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MEDICAL BOARDS, third-year medical students Adeleke T. Adesina and Farook W. Taha present a useful guide for medical students studying for both the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) Level I.
Using a system-based learning method, HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MEDICAL BOARDS provides a plan to study for the major topics tested on the board exams and suggests a unique approach to reading and keeping mental notes. It discusses the use of First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 and question banks in the preparation process. A bonus chapter addresses how to survive medical school’s rigorous education requirements and the most efficient ways to maximize education while still enjoying life.
Based on personal experience, Adesina and Taha help medical students discover the secrets, learn the rules, and avoid common costly mistakes when preparing for and taking important national medical board examinations. These students have developed a unique stepwise approach to help students score above 95 on their medical boards.
About the Author
ADELEKE T. ADESINA is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, New Jersey.
FAROOK W. TAHA is a fourth-year medical student studying at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, New Jersey.