Study Plan
ONE YEAR STUDY PLAN
First 5 months – learn to assess and diagnose
Second 5 months – learn to manage and treat
- With variants for paediatrics, females or in pregnancy
(See Rule of 3s below)
STUDY GUIDE
- Know how to take a proper assessment before learning about
management and therapeutics (no marks for wrong diagnosis/right
treatment)
- Know when to refer or hospitalise
- Work out ‘systems’ of approaching problems rather than just ‘facts’
- Remember the law of diminishing returns – a lot more detail does not
result in a lot more effectiveness
- An impressive and competent doctor applies a small amount of practical
knowledge well than a large amount of trivia poorly.
STUDY TIPS
- Study topics by presentation or problem
- Learn how to assess before learning how to manage
Use the rule of three for depth (three to be a competent
resident, five if you want to be a registrar)
Depth of knowledge matrix
|
Common |
Uncommon |
Benign / Self-limiting |
Assess
and manage |
Assess
and manage (optional) |
Serious |
Assess,
partly manage, refer |
Assess
and refer |
Life-threatening |
Diagnose,
stabilise, refer |
Diagnose,
stabilise and refer |
- Make a list of ‘red flag’ symptoms, signs or investigations (that
suggest a serious or life-threatening condition).
- Make a list of at risk patients groups e.g. immuno-compromised, neonates
- Assessment
- Diagnostic criteria (Diagnose)
- Assessing severity (Assess)
- Common or life-threatening complications (Assess)
- Most useful tests (Assess)
- Management / Disposition
- Resuscitation principles (stabilise)
- Management principles (Partly manage or refer)
- Common or life-threatening complications of treatment (Manage)
- Hospitalisation criteria (Refer)
Distinguish your approach between acute presentations versus
chronic or recurrent presentations
Provide additional comments for special patients groups e.g.
paediatrics, women, pregnancy