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seniors and colleagues, one should decide at I used to tell my residents that if you are going MANTRAS FOR PREPARATION FOR EXAMINATION:
the beginning itself and read specific topics/ to operation theatre, you should read the
sections from the specific book. It is difficult concerned topic as an integrated teaching 1. Believe in yourself. Believe that you can do it. Be confident.
to read one topic from all the books and make which includes basic sciences (anatomy) to 2. Be sincere to the clinical work throughout the training period and observe.
comprehensive notes as some of us do during management. I feel good plastic surgeon is a 3. Anatomy is the basis of all the flaps, learn it thoroughly.
MBBS/MS. good anatomist. Watching the surgical steps 4. Practice planning and alternate planning
on youtube should not be the only preparation. 5. Try to be an artist and practice drawing
Online sources of books are new treasure. Watching and performing surgery are the 6. Go through questions of past 10 years.
However, the reliability of many of these sources best ways to remember the theory too. Such 7. Discussion is the best way forward to prepare for exam.
may be questionable. I will not suggest to rely learning is helpful even during clinical practice. 8. Learn from the mistakes of senior colleagues
on online books as the main one for the exam.
These may be used as reference books on the Discussion with peers and class room discussion Finally, one should not forget that you are at the prime of your youth. Don’t forget to enjoy the life.
subject which are not covered in the text book are the key for preparation. One should not One should balance the time to enjoy and time to study. The time spent on partying during M.Ch
or if one wants to read in detail beyond text miss the chance for case presentation session. does not go waste. It makes you fresh and improves power of grasp. Also it gives opportunity to
books. This is basically a rehearsal to practical exam. build relationship with colleagues and teachers.
Take it seriously. Take some time and prepare
One can have idea of the questions by going pattern, alternate pattern etc as if you are So enjoy, watch and study with confidence and believe in yourself. You will do well.
through questions of past 10 years. There are presenting in exam. Once done is never
very few examiners who design their own forgotten. Similarly the instruments, X-rays,
questions. Hence you should expect questions operative steps should be practiced whenever
from one of the old question papers. opportunity permits. Otherwise it becomes
burdensome before practical exam.
Present method of teaching including seminar,
journal club or lectures do not prepare you If particular clinical material is not available in
for exam. One has to read himself/herself and the institute, one should find an opportunity to
learn out of the books. be posted to the other institute where one can
observe and learn the management of such
PREPARATION FOR PRACTICAL patients. This is also called as external posting.
EXAM: I am strong believer of this type of clinical
exposure and should be an integral part of the
Second part is practical exam. The examiners training programme.
expect from you is good clinical acumen,
planning of management of a plastic surgery Good student is one who keeps the teachers
patient, its execution, outcome and alternate busy and forces the teachers to read more and
planning. ‘Planning’ is the speciality of plastic more. Case discussion is a very good format for
surgeons and more so the ‘alternate plans’or learning.
‘life boats’. This is not talked over in any other
speciality. This cannot be learnt from text INPUTS FROM SENIORS:
book or online material. This can be learnt by
observing the seniors performing the task. This Probably better person to answer the question
is learnt by exposure to the management of ‘How to prepare...?’ is the senior colleagues
patients during ones training period. who have passed the exam in recent past. One
should discuss not only the preparation, but
So, the trainee has to learn this skill also where he fell short of the expectations of
throughout the training period from day the examiners. This input has immense value.
one. One should get involved in every part of
patient management including counselling. Relevant meetings:
One has to understand that learning the trick
of management does not lie only in operation Whenever there is an opportunity, attend
theatre. Learning by personal experience is the focussed workshop, CMEs, updates and
long lasting. tutorials. Major national or international
conferences have limited value in preparation
for exam. Though it gives opportunity to
interact with seniors and colleagues for future
plans.

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