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This week on The Happy Doc podcast, our own Dr. Diane Evans, DO. discusses her work with CompHealth (Locum Tenens Company) as well as her work as an educator for Passing Your Ob/Gyn Boards. For more great advice and info on living a fulfilled life as a doctor. Listen to The Happy Doc podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Bonus: Check out another great recent Happy Doc podcast episode with Dr. Kristina Dakis on Overcoming Test Anxiety  

As physicians we face stress daily. However being in an oral exam setting seems to resurrect two aspects of stress we may not face on a daily basis.  So exactly how so you define stress and how can we conquer the stress we will face going into the oral boards? To most people ‘stress’ conveys to mind something unpleasant. But many psychologists write on stress as something that can have favorable effects. Why the confusion? The rationalities lie in how an individual appraises his or her own psychological and physiologic state. A few examples could assist to clear the point.…

Over the years I have met hundreds of brilliant young Ob/Gyn physicians.  It is an honor to get a chance to teach and mentor.  It’s disheartening to hear the horror stories of those who fail their ABOG or ABOOG exam the cost is great — losing jobs, marriages, hospital privileges. Surprisingly most of these candidates are American medical school graduates, subspecialist  and finished at well established residencies and are top earners in their field.   I take pride in mentoring these physicians and together figuring out exactly what needs to be done differently. I can tell you with certainty the one…

People panic when studying for the ABOG / AOBOG because it’s scary. A lot of people finish residency procrastinate on taking their oral boards and then panic and take it with only 1-2 attempts left (new rules apply you have take orals 6 years from graduating residency). Unfortunately many candidates are not in academic settings have not been keeping up with ACOG standards and try to play 5 years of catch-up in 3 months before the exam.  The result, yup you’ve guessed it board failure. I can not stress how important it is to read daily you get the green…

Tip of the Day- GYN  How do you consent on ovarian conservation vs removal Benefits Decreases risk reoperation if one ovary is removed 7% risk reoperation If two ovaries remain risk decreases to 3% PEARL–Do not remove just one ovary this does not decrease risk Risk ovarian cancer 1/70, removing BOTH ovaries decreasing risk Decreased Chronic Pelvic pain Risks Increased osteoporosis Increased risk CVD Increased risk from HRT=stroke, blood clots Risk of injury ureter, blood loss increased, technically more difficult Increased risk sexual dysfunction Increased risk weight gain

The first thing you must remember is the case list is a first impression of you, You only get one chance for a first impression!!! That’s why it’s imperative that you take the time to have a thoughtful well constructed case list. Think back to when you apply to medical school. The most important piece of information was your personal statement. You took great efforts to make sure it was perfect it because you knew that this was a first impression. The case list a similar– the examiner sees the case list before they meet you in person and they make…

What was the biggest reason for not passing your OB/Gyn Boards on the first attempt? This is an oral exam!! I have taken written examinations for most of my life (as we all have). I have learned and know how to take a written test, but I was not prepared for an oral exam which requires talking, discussing and defending your management. I did not pass on my first attempt and it was devastating. First you must know the material, guidelines and standard of care. Then you must be able to speak CONFIDENTLY about it. Practicing with mock oral exams…