In part 2 of a 3 part series, I tell you all about my experience prepping for and conquering Part II of the NBEO PAM/TMOD, and give you pointers on how to clear this next hurdle.
Oh The Diagnoses You’ll Know…5 Dr. Seuss Quotes That Perfectly Summarize NBEO: Part II
“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”
You have diagnoses in your head.
You have differentials to use.
You can give your hypothetical patient
any treatment you choose.
“You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that at some point during your childhood you were exposed to the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. Often regarded as the greatest children’s author of all time, Seuss used his writing to take children to a magical fantasy world while teaching important life lessons.
Recently, I saw a friend post a Facebook status that included a quote from Seuss, and it immediately got me thinking…why does that relate so well to studying for Part II of National Boards?! Here’s my take on why I think Dr. Seuss was actually an O.D., and how his writings can motivate you to make Part II your “star-bellied Sneetch”.
- “Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
Give yourself a nice pat on the back. You deserve it! You’ve already got at least a four-year degree, but more importantly, you’re right around the corner from achieving your goal of becoming an optometric physician. You’ve already stood in the ring with Part I and may have even gone toe-to-toe with Part III. Regardless if you “got blood” on injections or not, you are well on your way to becoming the newest eye doctor in Whoville.
While you may not have the physical strength to “move mountains”, you certainly have built up the stamina it takes to navigate 3.5 hours of cases, mini-cases and other random items. That light at the end of the tunnel that you’ve been chasing for so long is finally within arm’s reach. Go get it!
- The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Whether you’re using an online or book-based prep course, or braving the review waters alone, refreshing yourself of the material tested on Part II is somewhat of an enlightening experience. As you start to piece together the enormous bank of knowledge you’ve built up over the last few years, you’ll start to feel at ease with the fact that you really are over three fourths a doctor. To me, studying for Part II was a great “refresher” of all the things I’ve worked so hard to learn over the past (nearly) four years. While I did run into many things I wasn’t an expert in, I was on cloud nine to realize I knew WAY more than I did not…at least when it came to National Boards’ standards. If you were not in the same boat as I, continue on to quote #3.
- “When you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.”
Don’t know the mechanism of action of moxifloxacin? Don’t sweat it! Part II doesn’t expect you to remember every minute detail of everything you’ve learned in optometry school. It tests your ability to use your acquired knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat, and manage your patients appropriately. If you don’t know the diagnosis right away based on the case information and photos, relax! Breathe and use the info provided to come up with the most likely answer. There’s no sense letting one or two questions turn you into the Grinch. The good news is that all the evidence you need to solve the case is right in front of you.
By the way…I’m convinced moxifloxacin was a word made up by Seuss himself.
- “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
Keep it simple stupid. NBEO Part II tests your ability to take a massive amount of patient information and titrate it down to the two or three pieces you need to nail that diagnosis. Once you know the diagnosis, most of the treatment options can easily be eliminated. To make it even easier, once you have the diagnosis and treatment selected, your follow-up and management plan should be a no-brainer. Try to think logically and don’t overthink it. Often times your “gut feeling” will be the right answer.
- Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
I really think this quote speaks for itself. After completing the exam, you owe it to yourself to celebrate. This is an accomplishment only a select few have completed, so treat it like the great success it really is. Go order your favorite meal with friends or family. It it’s green eggs and ham you crave, go for it! And if tears are involved, that’s okay too. Just make sure they’re happy tears.
“Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)”
Read the first part of the 3 blog series here.
Frank Carusone
Ambassador
Optometric Insights
