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Emergency Medicine Oral Board Review Illustrated
The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 51, No. 3, p. 336, 2016 Ó 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 0736-4679/$ - see front matter
Book and Other Media Review , Emergency Medicine Oral Board Review Illustrated, 2nd edition. Okuda Y, Nelson BP. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2015, 627 pages, paperback, $89.99.
examination, laboratory and x-ray study reports, and critical actions. Each case has some learning point ‘‘pearls’’ at the end and a few references, usually from Rosen’s or Tintinalli’s textbooks. There are roles for nurses and examiner instructions that outline their role. Each case has electrocardiograms, x-ray studies, and ultrasounds that enhance the textual material, although there are a few color illustrations in the beginning of the book that seem an afterthought. The cases cover just about anything one might see in a busy ED or on the board examination. Cardiology, pediatrics, trauma, toxicology, psychiatry, gynecology; every specialty is represented and well written. Although I enjoyed reading the cases, I felt the most value of the book was in the first few chapters that outlined some practical tips on taking the boards, gave a sample case script, and explained how the examination is graded; and a three-page chapter on Emergency Medicine Medical Decision-Making should be required reading for all emergency medicine residents. The eight appendices are a treasure trove of clinical information and useful outlines for various clinical situations that would be valuable in the emergency department as well as in the oral examination. In summary, this is an excellent book that will certainly assist the individual who is taking the ABEM oral examination, or the faculty instructors that are preparing their residents for the examination. I highly recommend it as teaching tool and study guide, and hopefully, it will lessen the stress of the test taker.
The only thing that strikes more fear into an emergency medicine resident than a footling breech is the thought of taking the oral board examination. The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) requires a written and oral examination for initial certification. In the past, those recertifying had the option to take either a written or oral examination. No one took the oral examination to recertify and ABEM discontinued that option. There is something about oral examinations that induces tachycardia in an otherwise calm, competent clinician who can manage 6 patients in the emergency department (ED) at a time without breaking a sweat. My Department does an oral board review for senior residents once a month to prepare them for this single encounter. The theory is that the stress of taking an oral examination in front of your peers is the same as during the ABEM examination, and there is probably some truth to that. Developing oral board scenarios and cases is difficult, and Drs. Okuda and Nelson have given us a textbook to assist with this process. The 126 cases and eight appendices make up the bulk of the text, with four short introductory chapters on how to use the book and the ABEM oral board examination process. The 58 contributors are a mix of faculty, residents, and fellows from, primarily, New York and California. The cases are derived from the Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine and are presented in no particular order. They are designed so that they may be used in an oral board type of format for teaching purposes. The ‘‘What does the patient look like?’’ or ‘‘What do I see?’’ questions are included along with the clinical
Edward J. Otten, MD, FACMT, FAWM Professor of Emergency and Pediatrics, Director Division of Toxicology University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Ohio http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.05.059
336
Book and Other Media Review , Emergency Medicine Oral Board Review Illustrated, 2nd edition. Okuda Y, Nelson BP. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2015, 627 pages, paperback, $89.99.
examination, laboratory and x-ray study reports, and critical actions. Each case has some learning point ‘‘pearls’’ at the end and a few references, usually from Rosen’s or Tintinalli’s textbooks. There are roles for nurses and examiner instructions that outline their role. Each case has electrocardiograms, x-ray studies, and ultrasounds that enhance the textual material, although there are a few color illustrations in the beginning of the book that seem an afterthought. The cases cover just about anything one might see in a busy ED or on the board examination. Cardiology, pediatrics, trauma, toxicology, psychiatry, gynecology; every specialty is represented and well written. Although I enjoyed reading the cases, I felt the most value of the book was in the first few chapters that outlined some practical tips on taking the boards, gave a sample case script, and explained how the examination is graded; and a three-page chapter on Emergency Medicine Medical Decision-Making should be required reading for all emergency medicine residents. The eight appendices are a treasure trove of clinical information and useful outlines for various clinical situations that would be valuable in the emergency department as well as in the oral examination. In summary, this is an excellent book that will certainly assist the individual who is taking the ABEM oral examination, or the faculty instructors that are preparing their residents for the examination. I highly recommend it as teaching tool and study guide, and hopefully, it will lessen the stress of the test taker.
The only thing that strikes more fear into an emergency medicine resident than a footling breech is the thought of taking the oral board examination. The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) requires a written and oral examination for initial certification. In the past, those recertifying had the option to take either a written or oral examination. No one took the oral examination to recertify and ABEM discontinued that option. There is something about oral examinations that induces tachycardia in an otherwise calm, competent clinician who can manage 6 patients in the emergency department (ED) at a time without breaking a sweat. My Department does an oral board review for senior residents once a month to prepare them for this single encounter. The theory is that the stress of taking an oral examination in front of your peers is the same as during the ABEM examination, and there is probably some truth to that. Developing oral board scenarios and cases is difficult, and Drs. Okuda and Nelson have given us a textbook to assist with this process. The 126 cases and eight appendices make up the bulk of the text, with four short introductory chapters on how to use the book and the ABEM oral board examination process. The 58 contributors are a mix of faculty, residents, and fellows from, primarily, New York and California. The cases are derived from the Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine and are presented in no particular order. They are designed so that they may be used in an oral board type of format for teaching purposes. The ‘‘What does the patient look like?’’ or ‘‘What do I see?’’ questions are included along with the clinical
Edward J. Otten, MD, FACMT, FAWM Professor of Emergency and Pediatrics, Director Division of Toxicology University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Ohio http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.05.059
336