AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. ADRIAN DAN MD FACS
Executive Director & Founder - National Surgery Review
Why is it important to consider taking a board review course?
Board Certification is the culmination of decades of higher education and the seal of approval sought by surgeons as evidence of their clinical competency. A board review course is considered the finishing touch to polish the surgical knowledge base acquired over years of textbook reading, literature reviews and grueling hours of clinical service. It is a very small time period and financial investment that is increasingly seen as essential to ensure a successful outcome in the qualifying and certifying exams of the Board of Surgery.
Can a board review course improve the chance of passing?
Very competent and intelligent surgeons can easily falter on their board exam. Because all of the candidates are graduating surgeons with similar standardized training, the bell curve of the resulting scores is extremely narrow and the margins are strikingly minute. One question can be the difference between pass and fail, and the difference between failure (22nd percentile) and the mean (50th percentile) may be as slim as 10 questions or 2 to 3 percent of the test questions.
What should I look for when deciding on the best course for me?
The faculty delivering the content of the review is by far the most important asset of the course. It’s important to inquire about the qualifications of the faculty members and their academic accomplishments. The course website should display the faculty’s biography and current positions, showing a clear interest and passion for surgical education that will translate into an effective delivery of the content of their expertise. The timeliness of the course in relation to the examination is also extremely important. Several weeks prior to the examination allows the candidate ample time to review and prepare the material without the stressors of travel just prior to the exam. A convenient and comfortable location is helpful to allow the candidate to focus on the review without the stressors of difficult travel.
What makes National Surgery Board Review different from other courses?
Our courses are taught by educators who are leaders and highly accomplished clinicians in their area of expertise. They are specifically selected because of their dedication to and passion for education on a global level. They make up a core-faculty that is second to none in the industry, and their biographies are easily accessible on our website. Our reviews are comprehensive and strategically designed by surgeons and PhD surgical educators for the qualifying exam of the Board of Surgery.
Our courses are supplemented by a variety of products, including continuously revised review booklets, printed syllabi, test preparation assessments amongst others to help integrate your preparation for the qualifying exam with that of the certifying exam and clinical practice. Our lectures and study materials are rooted in the evidence-based principles of surgical therapy and delivered by some of the most respected names in the realm of our specialty.