2011年3月27日日曜日

Test, Test, and Test

I'm sorry not to write any article in my blog recently.
I took 1 Japanese medical board exam, 2 US borad exam (clinical knowledge), and 3 another US board exam (clinical skills).

The end of last week, I got official result of 1 JP med exam from Health ministry. I passed it. It means I can start to work as a doctor from next April.

After I've finished JP med borad exam, I immediately started to prepare US borad exam (clinical knowledge). I took this test in the beginning of this month. The content of this test is partly same as JP med board exam. But there are two different factor between both exam, time limitation and score requirement. First, this test is one day, 8 hours test. On the other hand, JP med exam is 3 day test. Therefore, we need different type of concentration. It is really tough.
Second, score requirement means we need high score. This is different from just pass or fail test.
All things considered, it is difficult of compare these tests.
Anyway my result is still pending.

After I've finished US borad exam of knowledge part, I quickly left my apartment and went to U.S.
During my flight to NY, terrible earthquake attacked to Japan. From U.S. we can know the disaster only through Internet TV, some mail from my family and friends.
This week's cover of the Economist is really shocking. There is the Sun shaped red circle in slope. Japanese people who wear protective clothing try to stop going down the Sun.
I don't know well about nuclear science, but I hope Japan can recover as soon as possible.

In New York, I attended one of prepare course for clinical skill part of US board exam. This course is presented by Dr Mark Schwarz who is author of "physical diagnostic exam." My mentor recommended me to this textbook, so I was really looking forward to meeting him. I brought my textbook from Japan to get sign from him.
This course emphasis on how to communicate well. Some part of this course is beyond mock med interview exam, but it is useful for real clinical situation.
This course is at home, So after finishing this course, I practiced for other participants.

I just spend my time when I don't need to be hurry.
I will go back to my home country

Now I'm in Los Angels international airport to go back to New York. After going back to NY, I'll transit to Narita airport. Unfortunately I cannot find any free Wifi. There is some time lag to post this article.