A new year is here, ripe with new opportunities to seize! While it’s true that resolutions have little impact on our yearly productivity (see our blog here about that exact topic), there’s no harm in taking a full inventory of what you want to get accomplished this year.
There’s a sense of possibility during the first month of a new year. A worthwhile activity is to write out a roadmap of what you want to do in the next 12 months, then break down those goals into smaller steps. Ask yourself what it would take to achieve those steps, and make yourself a detailed “how-to” list to get it done.
Writing out our goals, as well as our stresses, has a therapeutic impact on our well-being. While you’re making your roadmap of amazing goals you want to hit, make another list of everything causing you stress and discomfort right now. Then ask yourself, what would it take to remove or alleviate the stress this issue is causing? Write it out. Soon you’ll have a “how-to” list of not only how to achieve your goals and increase your sense of success, but also how to mitigate your current stresses (or at least feel a little more in control by naming them out on paper).
These types of practices tend to get put by the wayside after the novelty of the new year wears off. It’s well worth your time to check in often with yourself to see how you’re progressing toward your goals. Movement can’t happen unless you start the motion!
Is your goal this year to become board certified or pass a looming exam? Maybe you need to apply for observerships to clock in your residential observer hours. Or maybe you want to get better at studying and prepping for exams you know you have to take regularly (PRITE, anyone?) If any of those are the case, we can help!
Contact us with any questions you have, or to inquire about our tailored tutoring packages! Another step you can take is check out our Question Banks, useful for test prepping, study enhancing, and confidence boosting! The new year is here for the taking, so let’s start it together!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/annie-spratt-Ef1H5YTTmZ8-unsplash-scaled.jpg18752560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2024-01-02 20:32:032024-01-25 17:24:00New Year, New Opportunities!
Practice makes perfect. And as a resident, observership, or hands-on experience, is paramount in your education to become a practitioner. Finding a good fit can be challenging, but My Psych Board has options for you!
Medical students and international medical graduates seeking US clinical experience may apply to our Clinical Observership program. This may be in person at the clinic in Westlake, OH, or it can be accomplished via Telehealth!
During the Clinical Observership, participants will interact with Dr. Abdel and learn about the US healthcare system.
Observerships range in duration from three weeks to a maximum of three months. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to observe a wide range of experiences from patient care to mastering high yield points on the USMLE exams, and will earn a letter of recommendation for future residency applications.
My Psych Board also covers summaries of clinical treatment and psychopharmacology. We offer valuable electives for medical students who are preparing for the USMLE and residency.
We understand the difficulties surrounding the search for high quality, valuable, hands on experience. And we want to make sure you succeed in your training! When you join our observership/preceptorship program you will also receive a 15% discount to any question bank of your choice from My Psych Board.
If this is something you still need to check off your list, contact us for more information! And to take advantage of the 15% discount, you can also check out a sample of our question banks using our Free Trial to decide what option fits your needs best. We’re just a click away to help you take the next step!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/national-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-10-02 05:39:002024-01-25 17:24:27Observership Options for Residents
The date range for taking the PRITE is quickly approaching. Each year from September 24th to October 15th, residents around the U.S. sit down for the 8.5 hour exam. This year, the PRITE has 300 questions (access to pdf breakdown of topics with annotations here).
Residents need to know a foundation of Neuroscience and Neurology, Clinical Psychiatry, and Diagnostic Procedures to be ready for this exam. It may be tempting to try studying off old PRITE exams, but we have a whole blog entry on exactly why not to do this (check it out if you’re curious!) Instead, take a peep into some question banks that are made for the sole purpose of helping you reach at least that 70% passing mark (and let’s be real…you’re going to far surpass it!).
Taking the PRITE may not lead to as much anxiety or stress as this is an exam a resident will take 3 or 4 times throughout their medical education career. But even if it’s something you’ve done 1 or 2 or even 3 times before, it’s still important to properly prepare for it. The ease that you pass this exam is a good indicator for how well prepared you are to launch into your medical career after graduation!
Even though the countdown is on, there’s still time to add in a little extra studying. Want some help? My Psych Board is here for you! Check out our PRITE question bank, even just to give the FREE TRIAL a try. If you want more focused help, reach out to talk to someone about our tutoring services. We know you’re going to crush your exam!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crush-the-PRITE-scaled.jpg14402560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-09-14 17:34:532023-09-14 17:34:56Get Ready to Crush the PRITE
Preparing for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Certification Examination requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. As the landscape of medical education evolves, so does the need for efficient and targeted study resources. Among the plethora of options available, we emerge as a beacon of excellence, offering a question bank that stands out for its exceptional strengths. Let’s delve into what strengths makes “My Psych Board” the best ABPN question bank and an indispensable tool for success.
Tailored Precision
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One of the standout strengths of “My Psych Board” is its precise tailoring of question banks to match the nuances of various board exams. Whether it’s the ABPN Certification Examination, PRITE Examination, USMLE – Psychiatry and Neurology categories, or Nurse Practitioner Examination, “My Psych Board” offers question banks uniquely designed to mirror the difficulty and types of questions expected for each exam. This tailored precision ensures that users receive targeted preparation, focusing on the exact content and format they will face on exam day.
Current and Relevant Content
Staying current with the latest medical knowledge is paramount. “My Psych Board” addresses this need with continuous updates to its question banks. The platform’s commitment to adding new questions ensures that users have access to the most up-to-date information, aligning their preparation with the rapidly evolving field of psychiatry and neurology. This commitment to relevancy sets “My Psych Board” apart, ensuring that users are equipped with the latest insights and knowledge to excel in their exams.
Expert Crafted Explanations
Every question answered is a learning opportunity. “My Psych Board” elevates the learning experience with its in-depth explanations accompanying both correct and incorrect answer options. This feature serves as a dynamic educational tool, offering not just answers, but a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. The strength of these expert-crafted explanations lies in their ability to transform mistakes into stepping stones for improvement, making the study journey more effective and engaging.
Personalized Learning Journey
Recognizing that every learner is unique, “My Psych Board” embraces a personalized approach. The platform offers users the chance to engage with Dr. Abdel, the founder and CEO of “My Psych Board,” through a one-time phone call to discuss their optimal study strategies. This one-on-one interaction provides a level of personal guidance that sets the platform apart, tailoring study methods to individual strengths and preferences. Also, gain access to discussing the exam, questions, and other related topics with Dr. Abdel as well as other users on our WhatsApp group platform!
Diverse Learning Resources
A comprehensive study experience encompasses various learning resources. “My Psych Board” enriches its offerings by providing access to video clinical vignettes covering over 20 topics. This multimodal approach engages visual and auditory learning senses, enhancing understanding and retention of key concepts. This diversity of resources contributes to a holistic learning experience that caters to a range of learning styles.
User-Centric Approach
The strength of any educational platform is reflected in its responsiveness to user needs. “My Psych Board” thrives on its user-centric approach, valuing user feedback and consistently striving to enhance the user experience. This dedication to improvement ensures that the platform evolves in ways that directly benefit its users, creating a dynamic and adaptable study environment.
In a landscape where effective study resources are crucial, “My Psych Board” shines as the best ABPN question bank, fortified by its tailored precision, current and relevant content, expert-crafted explanations, personalized learning journey, diverse learning resources, and user-centric approach. As medical education advances, “My Psych Board” stands strong as a dependable companion on the journey toward ABPN board exam success, providing not only answers but the keys to comprehensive understanding.
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unveiling-scaled.jpg25601707Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-08-24 14:50:442023-12-14 17:59:36Unveiling the Strengths of the My Psych Board ABPN Bank
One of the sections of exams students have the most difficult time with is the vignettes section. We’ve discussed this topic before here, where we show how to break down the process of answering vignettes. But in this blog, we’ll get into the nuts and bolts of reading the passages a little more effectively.
Formatting is everything
First, how you approach vignettes will depend on what format they are in. A video vignette requires you to sit through a segment of recorded interactions and glean information off of those interactions (usually between and doctor and patient). A written vignette gives you a block of information you can refer back to to answer questions.
The key difference between these two is time management. For a video vignette, you won’t want to waste your exam time going back and re-watching the video (which isn’t allowed in some cases, anyway). You can’t control the speed that the video plays, so you’re at the mercy of the media to go through its time. Because of this, you’ll want to pay close attention as you watch through the video the first time. Thankfully, bits of video can stick out as they’re composed of dialogue instead of raw facts, and this can help recall later.
Video Vignettes
As you watch the videos, keep in mind what should stick out- deviances from typical life, distress from a symptom, dysfunction due to ongoing issues, or potential danger to the self or others. This is a simple concept, but it’s usually the part that you need to pay attention to. An important factor in video vignettes to pay attention to is HOW to patient says these things. You’ll likely be quizzed on not only the information presented, but also how that information is delivered. Is the patient frenzied, calm, mood incongruent, or lethargic? Is that relevant to what they’re saying? It’s a lot to keep track of, but when you have to spend your time wisely, it’s best to dial into those videos.
Written Vignettes
Conversely, written vignettes will take up your time in a different way. Typically you’re presented with a fleshed out story and asked to determine answers that are either insinuated or determinable based on that information. For these, you can go back and re-read sections as you go. This means you don’t have to be laser-focused the first time reading it, and you can refer back to it. But this also means the questions involved may be a bit trickier and require more introspection. Keep in mind the basic information presented (i.e., demographics, time range of symptoms, key issues going back to the 4 D’s). Then as you delve deeper into the questions, refer back for more specifics.
Take away-
Vignettes are challenging. And they should be, as they are the more accurate representation of what it’s like working with real-life patients. And just like patients, they have their individual quirks that make them unique each time. A great way to get comfortable with these questions is the PRACTICE! Take time to go through and get used to what kind of information you need to pay attention to, in a setting that doesn’t penalize you for time.
We tailor each bank to the type of test you’re taking, whether that is Nurse Practitioner Mental Health Certification, ABPN, USMLE, or PRITE. You can take these practice exams over and over again until you get the hang of it. You can use the timed mode that mimics the actual exam so you really get in the groove of managing your time. Give our clinical vignettes a try- totally FREE – using our Free Trial!
If you like what you see on the trial, check out our Question Banks and find the best option for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can get you on the right path today!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/read-vignettes-efficiently-scaled.jpg17062560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-06-26 03:11:002023-06-08 15:37:16How to Read Vignettes- Efficiently!
In the world of psychiatry, it’s common to come across differing opinions on the best way to manage various disorders. Some clinicians prefer combination therapy, some support pure psychotherapy, while others trial pharmaceuticals prior to engaging in talk therapy. With multiple avenues available, what’s the best approach?
We took a look at a review of 102 meta-analyses of how professionals across the country handle different categories of disorders and their resulting efficacy. And guess what?
There’s no one size fits all! That’s right. This review that looked through 3,782 RCTs and 650,514 patients (all adult) found small benefits for both pharamcotherapies and psychotherapies (SMD=0.35). In their break down, the authors show that clinicians across the field generally favor a combination of both interventions to address conditions such as depression, social anxiety, OCD, and PTSD when compared to monotherapy. However, there are still notable benefits for each condition when using monotherapy! So…what’s the take away?
When considering treatment options for your patient, you need to consider their individual case. Some patients are fine with monotherapy, whether that is psycho or pharma, and some require a little of both. It’s your job as the professional in the field to assess which way is best for them. And so long as you do your due diligence, the data suggests one way over the other isn’t necessarily “better” (so, so there therapeutic purists!)
Making judgement calls can be tricky. A great way to get more comfortable is to practice! Learn more about treatment options and give your assessment skills a work out by going through our Diagnostic Procedures and Psychopharmacology topics. Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can help you prep in the best way for you
REFERENCE:
Leichsenring, F., Steinert, C., Rabung, S., & Ioannidis, J. P. (2022). The efficacy of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for mental disorders in adults: an umbrella review and meta‐analytic evaluation of recent meta‐analyses. World Psychiatry, 21(1), 133-145.
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/med-therapy-scaled.jpg17072560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-06-19 02:22:002023-06-08 15:11:19Controversial opinions: medication vs. talk therapy
The United States Medical Licensing Exam is a year-round board examination for anyone wanting to practice medicine in the U.S. This includes psychiatrists and psychiatric candidates who can sit for the USMLE Step 2, Clinical Knowledge. So what do you need to know about it?
Registration Timeframe
The USMLE can be taken at (almost) any time throughout the year. The candidate submits a 3 month period in which they can be available to sit for the exam, excluding the first week of January or specific major holidays. After the examination is complete, results can be expected anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks later.
Cost
Step 2, CK now costs $1,000 to register and take the exam. This price increased from $965 as of January 2023. Step 1 and Step 2 are both this cost.
Exam Breakdown
The USMLE Step 2 consists of about 318 multiple choice questions administered over eight 60 minute blocks. This means you have about 90 seconds per question. You also get 45 minutes total of break time. If you finish a block early, the remaining time is added to your break time.
Exam Material
Exams for Step 2 include System Specifications, Physician Competencies, and Discipline Competency. Breakdowns for each of these are found below (these can also be found at the USMLE website here)
2023 Information Bulletin
The full scope of information for the USMLE 2023 can be found in this bulletin taken directly from the USMLE website.
Getting ready to take the USMLE, or just starting to plan it out? We can help you! Check out our USMLE Question Bank tailored specifically toward getting you ready for the Step 2, CK Psychiatry and Neurology sections!
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Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to getting information into their noggin’. Test prep can take many shapes and forms, and what works for one person might not work for another.
Prepping for a board exam can be incredibly stressful. The weight of your career decisions rests on the outcome! (No pressure, right?) To cope with this stress, test prepping can manifest as several different approaches: the WINGER, the PROCRASTINATOR (aka, CRAMMER), and the TORTOISE.
The Winger
The Winger is the person that lets go of the immediate stress the exam is putting on them, and puts it out of their mind. They know it’s coming up, but they have confidence in the amount of information they have stored in their brains. The have an uncanny ability to refresh the knowledge and consolidate retrieval just by existing….or so they think. These test takers waltz into their exams and take a gamble that they will have all the answers (or at least enough to pass!). Depending on the type of test you’re going to take, being a Winger can work OK. Think 100 level undergrad classes. ABPN, PRITE, NP, or USMLE? This might not be the best approach.
The Procrastinator
The Procrastinator (aka, Crammer) is similar to the Winger. They also put off prepping for as long as possible. But while the Winger tends to follow through on their approach, the Procrastinator usually gets MORE stressed by avoiding it, and ends up cramming as much studying in as possible in the last day or so leading up to the exam. Cramming can be beneficial when compared to not prepping at all, and for some individuals, cramming is their sole means of test prep. Can it work? Probably. Is it great for your mental health? Not really.
The Tortoise
Lastly, we have the Tortoise. This name harkens back to Aesop’s Fables, as it should, because this test prepper takes the slow and steady approach. Plunking along, little by little every day, this prepper integrates new bits of information into their mental arsenal. They challenge the knowledge they already have to increase retrieval. The process starts closer to a few months ahead of time, as opposed to overwhelming themselves with whole textbooks 48 hours before their next exam. Instead, they have time to relax and take in some self-care in the days leading up to the exam so that they are refreshed and ready to go.
Is any one of these approaches superior? Research would suggest there is favorable option- we’ll let you decide which one you think it is 😉 In the meantime, if you’ve been relying on being a Winger or a Crammer up to this point, let this blog be your sign to give the Turtle Club (yes, that’s an early 2000’s movie reference) a chance. Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can help you prep in the best way for you.
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tortoise-scaled.jpg18622560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-06-05 02:16:002023-05-25 14:44:42How Many Ways Are There to Prep for Tests?
There are days when the last thing you want to do is be studying. Maybe you’re burned out from a hectic week, or maybe you’ve been away for a few days and having a difficult time getting back into the groove of things. Whatever the case may be, here are a few tips to help you get started back onto your studying track!
Make a List
If you are a visual processor, it may be helpful to sit down and write (or type) out a list of exactly what you need to be working on. It could be a topic list, it could be a to-do list. Whatever helps you categorize what you need to focus on!
Make a Plan
Next, make a plan. This can be a schedule such as “Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9am to 10am I will go through the Neuroscience qbank” or “Each day for 15 minutes I’m going to read up on Developmental disorders”. It can also be a plan for a goal like “I will be able to complete the Bipolar qbank in Test Mode perfectly by July 1st”. This is to give you an orientation for your list to help take steps to accomplish the goals.
Make Baby Steps
It’s important to not expect yourself to jump in at 100%. If you’ve been in a rut, you need to ease yourself back into your habits and expectations. Start small, if necessary, by doing timed increments each day. Eventually you can increase those increments to make bigger strides in what you’re working towards.
Make it FUN!
Finally, give yourself rewards as you go. It’s OK! If you have something to look forward to, you’re more likely to complete the tasks at hand. Maybe that reward is going to get your favorite treat once you’ve successfully gone through a chapter of a book. Or taking a hot bath at the end of the day with a glass of wine. Find small things you can do for yourself that encourages you to keep going. It doesn’t have to be all work 🙂
The important thing is to just get started. Once you get momentum, things will become easier!
Need some help?
Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have or ask about our STUDY GUIDES so we can get you on the right path today!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/start-scaled.jpg15462560Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-05-22 04:08:002023-05-18 16:22:25How to get started
Studying can be a daunting task for many students, and there’s a stigma around how much time one should spend studying. Some believe that studying as much as possible is the key to getting good grades. This person might carry their books with them and cram in as much as they can every spare minute they have. Some others find that a last minute sweep over general content refreshes their recollection and gets them as ready as they need.
On one hand, the person cramming constantly may cover more material, but studying too much can lead to burnout and negatively impact one’s overall well-being. On the other hand, the person barely cracking open a book may find themselves sorely unprepared when test time comes. So, what’s the sweet spot?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the ideal amount of time to study varies from person to person and is dependent on various factors. Some research suggests that spaced-out studying over time and practice testing can improve retention and learning. However, it’s important to find a study routine that works for you, based on your personal learning style and schedule.
Instead of focusing solely on the amount of time you spend studying, it’s crucial to prioritize the quality of your study sessions. Active engagement with the material, such as quizzing yourself or practicing with flashcards, can be more effective than passive reading.
It’s also important to balance your academic work with other aspects of your life. Taking breaks and pursuing other interests outside of studying can help prevent burnout and promote overall well-being. Finding the right balance between studying and personal life is key to long-term success and happiness.
Ready to start studying?
Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can get you on the right path today!
https://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/stigma-studying-scaled.jpg25601707Mara Canenhttps://www.mypsychboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logoMyPsychBoard.pngMara Canen2023-05-01 14:46:402023-05-18 14:57:34The Answer is in: How much you NEED to study
