This was my primary study resource for regaining certification in ABP in
General Pediatrics after allowing it to expire six years ago when I decided to use all my continuing medical education efforts towards MOC in my pediatric sub-specialty. I am glad that I decided to regain my General Pediatrics certification and use this book. This board review book helped me regain old infrequently used but occasionally useful knowledge and learn about useful new developments outside of my specialty. Besides helping me pass the MOC ABP Prometric exam with a decent score on my first attempt, it has already helped me to
become a better physician. It is surprising how often a sub-specialist has the first or best opportunity to address potentially serious medical problems outside of their sub-specialty.
I have some recommendations for sub-specialist using this book for MOC recertification in General Pediatrics who, like me, do not have a history of test taking problems, and have not made recent efforts to keep up with general pediatrics.
1. Allow 3-4 months to get through the entire book. I had only 3.5 weeks and it was difficult work getting through 40% of the book - enough for me to fairly easily pass the exam, but not enough to avoid being very stressed until I received my test result. Incidentally, I did not miss any questions in most of the areas I was able to study (the main exception was cardiology and dermatology, which I find particularly challenging). Pediatricians in high volume or academic practices that involve ER and/or inpatient general pediatric coverage, hospitalists, and pediatric intensivists probably need less time since they should know much of the material from their work experiences.
2. I used the iPad version (free when the book is purchased) for review - much easier than trying to use the fairly large and heavy paperback. I had difficulty highlighting tables on the iPad. It would be great if this problem can be fixed. There are also first edition errors that I am sure will be fixed by the next edition.
3. If I had to do a closed book general pediatrics certification exam again (which will probably not be the case, since from now on I can do MOCA - however, with this book available, I am not intimidated by the notion of taking the closed book exam again in five years should I choose that option), I would do the following:
A. Read the chapters first, using highlighting as a way of increasing reading comprehension, while skipping the test questions.
B. Then on the next go around, just do the questions, and during review of the answers, re-review associated reading material necessary to fully understand the answers.
C. Then, one to two weeks before the test, do the free ABP General Pediatrics self assessment (also an easy way to pick up 10 category 2 MOC points) researching any incorrectly answered question, and questions where there was uncertainty about the subject area even if the question was answered correctly.
D. Then, a couple of days prior to the exam re-review weak areas (for me, exanthems and cardiac murmurs) and focus on tables.
4. If a sub-specialist is not having difficulty with MOC in their sub-specialty, and feels secure in their sub-specialty knowledge, they can probably skip the chapter relating to their specialty. I did so, and, yet, did not miss any questions in my specialty.
Unlike many study guides, this study guide is very readable and of use in practice. I have continued to read it and use it in practice since finding out that I passed the exam.
Incidentally, I am a former AAP Prep writer for my sub-specialty and have had access in the past to the AAP Prep General Pediatrics questions and critiques. For me, that format does not work well for closed book proctored exams - too much jumping between specifications without providing unifying views of subject areas. I much prefer this book’s more structured approach. This is what works for me - might be different for others.
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