The Damage Has Been Done

Projection Exams
December 2, 2011
1600H
UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery Medical Informatics Lab (Formerly known as LRU)

The first part of our 2-day Oral Diplomate Exams. The exam consisted of pictures (skin rashes, microscopic anatomy, ECG, x-rays, etc.) in timed powerpoint slides. In less than 2 hours, we were done. But before I could say "Thank goodness", we still had two more tests that involved purely Family Medicine physician's skills. After 30 minutes, I could finally give a sigh of relief - well, for that day. The projection exams were satisfactory.

On a side note, I was impressed with the new facilities of LRU. Flat, bigger screens, updated operating system, keyboards and mouse. So that's where part of the tuition fee is going.


OSCE
December 3, 2011
0800H
UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery

"This is it!"

7 stations (5 manned, 2 unmanned), nerves, butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling, members of the Specialty Board going around, colleagues reading/holding books while you're not holding any. While you're in the holding area, you hear the bell countless times. And then, you hear your colleagues review many things like leopold's maneuvers, classification of body mass index, etc. Oh boy! I hated the agony of waiting.

When it was my turn, holy cow! My nerves got the best of me. I did very, very poorly. When I was finished, I cried my heart out. I wanted to think positive, be optimistic but in the back of my mind, I was already anticipating that I'm going through this again next year. I tried to smile but deep inside I was sad. I thought "Let it be done, according to Your will."

Results are going to be released 1 week after. I'm going to pray my hardest.