Year 4: Obstetrics/Gynecology Clerkship - Part 4

Books
Most read from Kaplan Obstetrics & Gynecology USMLE Step 2CK Lecture Notes.
Many also read from Blueprints Obstetrics & Gynecology for covering the more important topics.

However, I like to read important topics in a full-rounded way - and this has been satisfying during exams for me. Meaning cover every aspect of them as you will be quizzed in detail in the DOCEE on common problems. Therefore I have done the following:

1. Kaplan Obstetrics & Gynecology USMLE Step 2CK Lecture Notes for getting a general idea about the topic and as the only source for low-yield uncommon problems
2. Combined Blueprints Obstetrics & Gynecology + Obstetrics by Ten Teachers + Gynecology by Ten Teachers for the high-yield topics I need to know in detail.
3. UpToDate for the most recent information I need to know on important topics: management, drugs, lab result numbers

How to study
Most students say the last 2 weeks are enough to study for OBG. This is somewhat true. Here was my routine:

1. In the first 6-7 weeks, you can study lightly. When you have free time during the hospital use them to study the high-yield topics. 
2. At home, you will have A LOT of free time. Spend it wisely. During this time, you can spend an hour or so watching some Kaplan videos at home. Or go over the low yield topics. Both only take about an hour.
3. In the last 2 weeks, you need to be studious. They will be more than enough to cover the high-yield topics in detail. You will most probably be revising them as you would have read them during the days in the hospital or adding in missing points.
4. You may study the important topics for the first time in these 2 weeks. It is still enough.
5. These high-yield topics are important for all exams, but mostly the DOCEE.

Hospitals
Qassimi:

• You will not learn much. This hospital is only for exposure to a variety of cases as well as exposure to many operations. 
• You can make use of self-directed learning here as it is the only kind you can get. Find willing patients, take history from them and examine them. You may observe women in labor (there are MANY!).
• Clinics:
• Attend clinics as they are a golden opportunity to see patient communication and learn about the elements of OBG ultrasound.
• Clinics are also great for seeing the elements of a history. It is only from the clinics that we were able to understand how organize a proper history.
• Labor suites: you can get many hands on experience here from the mid-wives.
• OT gets you exposure to D&Cs, uterine prolapse repairs and C-sections.

Baraha:

• Clinics with Dr Nabeela, Dr Mansoura and Dr Wafaa are quite useful - matter of fact, the most beneficial learning you will do.
• Labor suites: beneficial for learning and observing, not hands-on training

Dhaid:

• Clinics get you lots of exposure, hands-on practice and learning
• Labor suites (which are empty most of the time) are great for hands-on delivery by guidance of the doctor herself.
• OT gets you exposure to D&Cs, uterine prolapse repairs and C-sections.

OSCE

1. Know the uses and names of OBG instruments as you may have a station on them
2. Histories:
1. Discharge
2. PV bleeding
3. Pelvic Pain
4. Infertility
3. Physical examination:
1. Pap smear
2. Pelvic exam

DOCEE

1. High-yield topics will be given to you by the doctors at the hospital (ask them)
2. You will be taken to one patient for history-taking. You will not be doing a full history because it is too long. Only chief complaint and history of presenting illness. Other parts of the history will only be asked if necessary to the illness. If you are a girl, you WILL be asked to do physical examination.

Written

1. Important and low-yield topics in the practical exams are of equal importance here. You would therefore already have studied them from previous exams and daily training.
2. It is also important to study the blueprint from previous years.

Boys, This One's For You
Many of you will be reluctant to train. Many of you will stay home most days because of the conservative female culture here. Many of you won't care because you believe OBG is useless to your training. Ultimately, the decision is based on your conscience and circumstances.

If you do not attend because you believe you won't be able to do anything anyway, that is not always true. Doctors try their best to get you learning opportunities if you show your enthusiasm.

If however you choose not to attend, you will graduate with absolutely no practical knowledge in this field. Remember the amount of money you are paying to learn. You will not get another opportunity to learn like this in the future should you need it. Also if you are planning internship outside the country, your gender would not matter in OBG and you would not want to look incompetent.