Oral Revalida in Medical School: My Survival Tips (based on Personal Experience)

 Dedications: I dedicate this post for those who were my and all of Junior Interns during my Post Graduate Internship, whether you're a Regular or Midyear Clinical Clerk, I dedicate this also to my co-PGIs who are helping me a lot. 

To be honest, I may be busy today when I was writing this blog to you since I am also reviewing for my incoming board exam so pardon me if my words may be confusing or wrong grammar but  as much as I like to help you to pass the Revalida based on my experience, yes I was one of the outright passers of Revalida both Written and Oral during my time. I will just share this to you as a blog since as like I or We always do to do our best in supporting and cheering up our clerks as to help you in terms of boosting your morale, to let you know that we support you in the fight. To be honest I took the exam last May 2019 so maybe there may be some changes in the rules or game today but I hope some of my tips would help you a lot.

I hope you read this until the end of the blog, I understand that we all have individual differences so maybe your style may be different from what I did, so its up to you if you can have a better idea or you can follow or modify what's written in this blog based on your comfort zone. 

Its been a long time since I posted as a blogger in PPC Blogs, now as you are reading this I want to share my experience during my time as an Clinical Clerk who was about to take an oral revalida exam. 

What to Expect

1. you, a student will face a doctor or a group of doctors (called a tribunal)

2. you will pick up a case and first you will read it in front of tribunal before answering questions then answer the case in a limited time (in my time 10 minutes is the time limit)

Will I know what will be the subject of my case?

During my time way back last May 2019 (still face to face during that), No,  the topic will be everything under the sun, its like going to an enemy blindly so you have to be prepared from everything", you will just know your subject on the exam itself, as per experience they had tackled the most commonly encountered in my time.

How about the tribunal/s?

The tribunals in my time were different professors  with different specialties, maybe IM, OB Surgery, Pedia, ENT, Ophtha, even some professors from basic subjects as I heard in my time etc....... well in my time you don't know which consultant you will be lined up 

When I am in the Oral proper, what is usually done?

In my case you had read the case then go to your tribunal greet them good morning/afternoon (to be honest i dont know today if this still applicable but I hope can help) you will say your answer by first mentioning your diagnosis then I will mention why I arrived at that diagnosis like a defense on a research paper but alone

What are my tips to pass in this Oral Revalida:

1. Nervous, Palpitating already? don't worry, I also experienced this and many of my co clerks as well but here's what I did so that I can concentrate. If you experience this, what I did take a very deep breath for 10-15 secs, during that deep breath, close your eyes and remove your unnecessary especially the most negative thoughts you have in you, yes this thoughts and nervousness will be your number 1 opponent in the orals. Don't worry you can do it, I believe you will pass it. When you feel relaxed already, then just relax and calmly focus on the case, this calm and focus thoughts will be your one of your best weapon in your arsenal.

2. In terms of answering, please, do not answer what you don't know, make it simple as much as possible, since if you answer too many, your tribunal may use it to ask you question regarding of what you had said and it may destroy your focus so keep it simple, Relax.. Do not think much also, remember this is a time limited exam. 

Regarding also as far as I remember my case is a Leiomyoma in a 45/M G2P2 (2002) in Gynecology, please make this answer as simple but IF you know the answer and IF you can even cite the textbook name, the data presented in that book like ex. I diagnosed Leiomyoma because according to Lobo Compre Gyne 7th Ed. the Age of menopause of Filipino women is around 48 y/o and the one that stimulates the growth of that "mass" in the case is the production of estrogen. This is like in the basketball that shooting a ball for 3 points into the net. But please do this only if you know your references well

3. Beware of leading questions, these leading questions will be the one what can or will save you for that oral revalida..

In my case I was asked what factor can I ask to my patient so that I can convince her to undergo surgery, the answer was size. To be honest what happened after which, my tribunal asked for my name already and let me go already which is under 10 minutes, and when I say thank you they smile. Please look also when your tribunals smiled at you in my experience that smile + when you think you did your best means good news on that part for oral revalida, and wait for the list of outright passers. To be honest also I was surprised that answer for me as already my "ultimate attack" in the game

4. Don't overexert yourself and especially dont sleep very late the night before, you have studied more than enough since med school and your written revalida, try to relax a bit, do you know if you sleep late at night feels like you drunk a lot of alcoholic beverages the night before which is not good.

5. Always believe in yourself and please please please don't forget to PRAY!!! for God nothing is impossible, just have faith and He will guide you.

As one of your PGI or maybe your PGI leader in your case, I (as a PGI member) and We (as a your former PGI and PGI leader will pray for your success)

If you need help or advise you can ask help from any of us anytime

**For my fellow PGI's you can also use the groupchat to put addendum to what I wrote here already, I believe that the more experience we can share, the more we can help them.

Regards:

PPC

PGI/Blogger