Wednesday, December 03, 2008

JUPITER trial poll result

The NEJM Clinical Directions set up a poll and invited readers to respond to questions raised by the results of the JUPITER trial published on its website on 9 November 2008. The poll was closed on 26 November 2008 with 2553 responses.

Poll questions :

Do you believe, on the basis of the JUPITER trial results, that the approach to laboratory screening of apparently healthy adults should be changed?

49% - Yes, the trial results indicate that the approach to laboratory screening should be changed.
51% - No, the trial results do not provide a basis for a change in the approach to laboratory screening.

Do you believe, on the basis of the JUPITER trial results, that the therapeutic use of statins in apparently healthy adults should be changed?

48% - Yes, the trial results indicate that the therapeutic use of statins should be changed.

52% - No, the trial results do not provide a basis for a change in the therapeutic use of statins.

See also post - JUPITER trial - will you change your practice?




Monday, December 01, 2008

Passing postgradute exams - don't be late

Are you preparing for your exams? Did you know that better-prepared doctors arriving on time were more likely to pass the exam?

In this article - "Disorganized junior doctors fail the MRCP (UK)". Medical Teacher. Feb 2006, 28(1):e40-e42(1) (abstract only) - researchers examined whether organization skills relate to exam outcome amongst junior doctors taking the RCP clinical Part ll exam.

The study was condudcted at 4 clinical courses that prepared the trainees for the exam. Arrival time at registration ( 8.00 am ) for the course was chosen for organisation skills. 81 doctors passed the exam and arrived 14 minutes earlier, 71 doctors failed the exam and arrived 6 minutes later than those who passed.

The study has shown that good time-keeping skills are positively associated with exam outcome and the authors suggested that "arriving on time is a valid marker of organization skills and preparation" and advised prospective candidates that "lateness is a sign of failure: get organised".

The BMJ Careers has published a 4 part series to help doctors maximise their chance of passing postgraduate exams.

Exam technique 1

Exam technique 2: performing

Exam technique 3: revision

Exam technique 4: study