Formative Assessment Test( FAT) by NBE

Dear friends,

    Many of you contact me in last few days regarding FAT exam by NBE as dates have been announced. I am very sorry to say but  I never had FAT exam in my training .We used to have yearly appraisal exam which used be at institute level and an external senior examiner used to conduct exam.We used to have one theory paper mix of all subjects  qs (10 qs 10 marks each) 100 marks and 100 marks practicals.
            But now NBE  has started from last year FAT exam as many institutes were not conducting appraisal properly.In this FAT exam NBE call all relevant faculty students of all years at zone level especially in city  hotel hall. and exam is conducted there.
                 Exam usually have two papers: paper one morning session 10 qs (paper 1 & 2 of final exam) & afternoon session one paper ( paper 3& 4 final exam).This is followed by discussion with experts on a scheduled date where NBE appointed senior faculty interact with students to help them in understanding paper writing.Plan your time well while writing answers as time is money in every exam. Don't get carried away in writing any answer.
              Now most important q how to prepare for this exam as many of you have joined DNB few months back.Heavy ward duties,frequent on call status so ultimately no time to study.But do remember cultivate a habit of reading 2-4 hours daily no matter how ever you are busy.This reading you can do it in wards,duty rest room or in your free time of duty.But its must  for future exam sake.
             FAT marks are not considered in finals for now but this exam shows you how well you are preparing.If you are too new to the subject that's OK. Keep your presence of mind in place,answer q on your M.B.B.S.  knowledge level and prepare for remaining exams well.Nothing is impossible if you wish to achieve the goal.So all the best .Take care.
( Special thanks to Dr.Smita Minz )

How to read PSM

Dear friends,
          All the best for your final year exam preparation as forms of D.N.B. December exam are out and I  am sure you are in full tension mood.
                Don't worry just be happy and stay focused.Few friends recently asked me how to prepare PSM? Is Vivek Jain  OK or  we need to read Park and other books? And few said why  we should read Park as its all MCQ now no theory?
                I  do agree its all MCQ now but you go through the  link on blog and papers of last few years  & you will notice that even paper 1 & 3 has PSM based Qs. So you are not spared from PSM & Park.
            Park is one Indian standard textbook and as a PG you should read that for sure from page 1 to last. Vivek Jain you use for revision and MCQs as many says  are from that book.New park edition  you  have to buy as many new chapters,data,programmes has been updated in that and as a primary care medicine student you should know all from theory and practical point of view.
           Now let me share how to read chapters.
1.Do focus on epidemiology chapter as you should know all types of studies methods,cold chain,immunisation,ADR after vaccine,epidemiological survey method etc.
2.Screening is also a good and important chapter especially uses of screening.
3.All infectious diseases especially  malaria,HIV, filariasis,T.B., dengue,H1N1 and all those  common in India.These  are important diseases as they can ask in medicine about these.
4.Non communicable are also equally important as they have vital role in health care don't forget to read road traffic accidents section.
5.Programmes all you should know especially related to major infections and non communicable diseases.
6.Maternal and child heath related chapters are kind of revision chapters so have a read to brush knowledge and update on  new programmes like Janani shishu suraksha yojana etc.
7.Nutrition is a vital chapter viva and mcq point of view.
8.Environmental health is important  especially for family medicine students as Swach Bharat Abhiyan is at its peak.You can combine  entomology studies with communicable diseases to made studies easy.
9.Occupational health chapter is important  with ESI norms,various occupational diseases etc.
10.Planning cycle,communication skills,biostatistic,health information these chapters you can read superficially for theory with due risk but they may be asked in viva so later be ready to study.
11.International health is a important  chapter and its very small.You should know about them especially UNICEF's  functions,Millennium development goals.
                    PSM  is an interesting subject if you really read it carefully.If you wish to score better in MCQ, its must as MCQ paper has separate passing.So don't neglect it.You can daily read one or two pages of Park.It will help you in long run.So all the best.Do well.Take care.