I found the conversation a bit depressing but quite informational as to how to tackle the transition. He told me the information to prepare for the OSCE's as well as the later, more difficult boards is hard to come by even though you go through all the classwork. Supposedly the organization of the coursework and information to make the transition could be better and the basic sciences is above and beyond the clinical sciences in many ways.
One way the clinical sciences is lacking is clarity. Meaning, we are expected to retain all the information learned in pathology and gross anatomy as well as physiology and PDx as if we are walking medical dictionary's. The notes get more confusing and less organized that what they currently are, supposedly. Apparently the expectation as far as performance increases significantly from here on out and the days of logging time in the classroom are over. Its time to become proficient chiropractors and I guess that transition is insanely hard at WSCC.
The professors get harsher and more demanding too. Pathology was a walk in the park compared to what will be expected from us in the very near future.
My friend advised that I buy the orthopedic physical assessment book that is displayed in the bookstore as well as a "learning radiology" book that he found useful. I plan on doing just that so the information has some order to it and is readily available if I need to reference it.
I think any clinical education comes with the hard transition from classroom stasis to application. Extrapolating the vast amount information lodged in our craniums is going to ridiculously hard. We will have to follow the "rules" as to what WSCC expects from us as to how to come to a diagnosis based on a very strict, set criteria. We'll need to show proficiency in how to perform physical exams, our bedside manner with patients, our knowledge of disease, the treatment of disease and of course the prevention of it. All of the information we've learned in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, gross anatomy, even physiology will be connected in the next year so we are competent interns beginning in 2011 (for some of us).
This transition seems quite daunting to me. I have been very good at preparing for exams that consist of multiple choice and true/false questions but not short answer/essay questions. The answer is more or less always there so retaining the information has been merely based on word recognition and minimal at best. I looked at the clinical proficiency exam we must take at the end of next year, in December and the difference between it and the tests we've had thus far is that every single question is essay style or short answer. And it consists of MANY questions. I find this stressful and hope I can get through the rigor of such an experience. Currently, I would fail it miserably and can only imagine how stressful the experience will be during those weeks.
For now I will do some preparation for part one boards and do my best to really master the next quarter's material early on. I think the only way to really get proficient is to start early and use other's experiences, like my friend's, to guide the way. No matter what, this next year will dominate our time and make us grumpy at times. There is no way around it. There will be some who continue to wait until the last minute to study, I will likely be included in this population to some extent and we'll experience stress unlike we have to this point.
There is one week left until it starts. I am going to enjoy this time off because I know once we start it's going to get crazy.
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