For July topics we’ll look at summer safety and wellness. We often call winter the cold and flu season, so we could call summer the poison ivy, sunburn, and blister season. Unfortunately, it’s also the season for drownings and water sport accidents.
Where I live, we just saw the first day of summer come and go. It was the longest day of the year and so far one of our hottest. Summer activities are in full swing. Many of the patients I see now are either just coming back from a vacation or getting ready to leave. I envy them because I am staying home since my husband is recovering from a broken ankle that dashed our plans for a summer trip.
For July topics we’ll look at summer safety and wellness. We often call winter the cold and flu season, so we could call summer the poison ivy, sunburn, and blister season. Unfortunately, it’s also the season for drownings and water sport accidents.
Here in the United States we have our most important holiday of the year-Independence Day, or commonly called the 4th of July. On this day in 1776, the North American colonies of England declared political independence, and the rest, as they say, is history. Much has happened in the 243 years since, and the United Kingdom is now an ally; an American citizen, Meghan Markle, recently married into the British royal family. Friendship is worth pursuing between people and countries.
Lady Liberty lifting her torch in New York harbor
Here are links to July’s Timely Topics, or just search for what interests you
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Get active
Summer is the perfect time to start or increase physical activity. I’ve been using a fitness app on my phone, Aaptiv. Consider trying it. I’d appreciate you using this affiliate link through which you can help fund this blog. Thanks and enjoy.
The purpose of board certification is to make sure you, the patient, are getting the best care possible from a physician.
Parents and educators in my state have been debating the merits of standardized testing for school children and maybe where you live also. And it’s not just a question for children, adults can be subjected to professional testing also.
After I finished my family medicine residency, I took an 8 hour paper multiple choice written exam to become certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). And every 10 years since I have taken the test to re-certify. (Originally it was every 7 years).
The purpose of board certification is to make sure you, the patient, are getting the best care possible from a physician. According to the ABFM,
We promise that board certification means that the family physician you choose for your care meets high standards.
My certification expires at the end of 2019.
Eventually the Board transitioned to a computer based exam taken at a local testing center, still 8 hours long. This year they are trying something new- doctors can take the test on their own computer or tablet whenever and wherever they choose.
The new system is a trial and voluntary. Those of us who have chosen to do it give feedback on the process, what we like and don’t like about it. They hope this will prove to be a workable system that eventually everyone will do.
Here is another experience and opinion about the exam from Clif Knight, M.D. , who is the AAFP’s senior vice president for education.
Doctors can answer questions on a computer or tablet any time of day or night.
This exam consists of 25 questions posted quarterly over 3 years, with a 5 minute time limit for each question . Besides being able to take the exam in my pajamas, I can research the answers online if I need to-as long as I can do it in 5 minutes. The rules prohibit me from discussing the questions with another person, based on an honor system that I attest to before beginning each session. Being able to look up information is more like actual medical practice.
More aligned with adult learning principles, this approach allows for use of references and promotes greater retention of new knowledge to be applied in daily practice.
ABFM web site
You can learn more about the value of board certification at this link
While board certification is a voluntary process, many organizations prefer or require the physicians they hire or work with to be board certified.
Take an “exam” designed for patients
I thought I would give you a taste of what I am doing by creating a patient certification exam for you. The rules prohibit me from sharing actual test questions so I have written my own, in simple medical terms, but using a format similar to the questions I answer.
When I answer questions, I get immediate feedback if my answer was right or wrong, with an explanation and a reference. So I have done the same for you. In this case, the reference is from a blog post I have written.
There’s no time limit for each question and for this exam, feel free to discuss your answers with someone else, I encourage you to. Choose the single best answer. Check at the end for the correct answers.
I had fun writing these questions so I hope you have fun answering them. Good luck! I hope you pass.
Question 1
A woman came to her doctor with a skin rash soon after starting to take a new medication. The medication is most likely
An Antidepressant
A blood pressure lowering drug
An anti-inflammatory drug
An antibiotic
Question 2
A 25 year old woman notices that the skin on her face has darkened over the past several months. This condition is called
Line drawing showing cross-section of dermal and epidermal skin layers.
National Cancer Institute
Creator: Unknown Illustrator
This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source and, where possible, the creator listed above.
Question 3
A mother brings her 8 year old daughter to her family doctor. The child has a cough, runny nose, and mild sore throat. Her temperature is 100.2 degrees. The doctor diagnosed the illness as a cold, or upper respiratory infection and explains this is caused by a virus. She does not prescribe an antibiotic because
The child is allergic to penicillin
The family does not have health insurance
The mother has left over antibiotic from another child at home.
An antibiotic will not help an infection caused by a virus.
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