A woman with sunglasses and a necklace making a face.

Are You SAMP-Ready?

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Feb 16, 2020 | Comments Off on Are You SAMP-Ready? | CCFP | , , , , , , ,


We have been focusing on SOO preparation, as this tends to give residents more trouble on the CCFP exam. But what about the SAMPs? Today, we’re going to give you a taste of what you might see on the exam.

Just a few quick tips first… READ MORE

A man and woman sitting at a table with another person.

We Have Good News and Bad News… What Do You Want to Hear First?

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Feb 1, 2020 | Comments Off on We Have Good News and Bad News… What Do You Want to Hear First? | CCFP | , , , , , ,


Before entering the next SOO station, you read the prompt: “You are about to meet a patient whose clinical presentation and investigations are suggestive of a new diagnosis of lupus.†You eloquently perform a review of systems, provide an excellent management plan and arrange follow up with the patient… But you are NOT deemed a SUPERIOR CERTIFICANT. What went wrong?

It was actually a “Bad News†scenario, and you didn’t use interviewing techniques that the FMEP Course hopes to see in a SUPERIOR certificant.

The good news is that we have the tips and tricks you can use when a similar situation shows up on your exam. We have summarized an excellent AFP article that will help you be an FMEP Superior Certificant on your SOO. READ MORE

A man with long white hair and beard is pointing.

“Doc, Do You Even Know What You Are Doing?!” 

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Jan 11, 2020 | Comments Off on “Doc, Do You Even Know What You Are Doing?!”  | CCFP | , , , , , , ,


Your SOO has been going great so far and you are feeling confident.

You go to your next station – you see Mr. Huff And Puff. He is a 58-year-old man with COPD. He is not using his puffers despite repeated discussions. He is also a 60-pack-year smoker. The first thing the actor says is, “Doc, do you even know what you are doing?! I am still coughing!â€Â 

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A person breaking open a cigarette on top of the table.

Be a QUITTER – But Not on Your SOO! Your Guide to Smoking Cessation

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Dec 16, 2019 | Comments Off on Be a QUITTER – But Not on Your SOO! Your Guide to Smoking Cessation | CCFP | , , , , , ,


You are about to meet Sara, a 25-year-old patient with a 20-pack-year smoking history. She would like to quit. You walk into the room.

Do you know how to counsel your patient? Is it Champix or nicotine… both… or neither? What’s the latest advice? To help prepare you, we’ve written a summary of an excellent CFP article – find the full article with all the statistics here!

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An old man wearing a hat and sunglasses.

Doc, You Want My Car Keys…? Driving and Dementia

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Nov 23, 2019 | Comments Off on Doc, You Want My Car Keys…? Driving and Dementia | CCFP | , , , , , ,


It’s your SOO. You walk into the next room – you have an 89-year-old man. His wife has expressed concern about his driving ability.

Will you cut up his driver’s license? Call the police? Report him to the MTO?

Does driving and dementia make you lost for words? Are you thinking that you’d better brush up on your reading before SOO time? No need to search too far – we’ve summarized a comprehensive CFP article for you right here! Here is the article for your reference.

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A dog laying on top of a desk next to a keyboard.

If You SNOOZE, You LOSE – WAKEY, WAKEY… SOO TIME! AN APPROACH TO FATIGUE

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Nov 16, 2019 | Comments Off on If You SNOOZE, You LOSE – WAKEY, WAKEY… SOO TIME! AN APPROACH TO FATIGUE | CCFP | , , , , , ,


The bell chimes and it’s the next station – you have a 33-year-old male who presents with fatigue for several months. He has no other medical history. ENTER THE ROOM.

Do you want to pull your hair out? Bite your fingernails? HOLD ON! We’re here to help. Here’s a brief checklist to follow for your SOO (or SAMP) – we used this helpful CMAJ article to help create a SOO tool for you.

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A man holding a roll of toilet paper.

On a SOO: Let’s Talk about POO – Traveller’s Diarrhea

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Oct 28, 2019 | Comments Off on On a SOO: Let’s Talk about POO – Traveller’s Diarrhea | CCFP | , , , , , ,


It’s the CCFP SOO exam – you’re about to enter the next station … Your station has a 23-year-old male coming in for travel advice. He is going to Jamaica and wants to know what he can do to prevent getting traveller’s diarrhea. What are you going to ask? Are you confident about what medications he needs? What investigations may be needed once the patient has returned home if the symptoms persist?

If you’re ready to learn how to become a FMEP course SUPERIOR Certificant… keep reading. 

This blog is a summary of the Canadian Family Physicians’ article on traveller’s diarrhea. The article can be found here.

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A woman holding her head in pain with both hands.

SOO and SAMP: Your Study Guide for HEADACHES!

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Oct 16, 2019 | Comments Off on SOO and SAMP: Your Study Guide for HEADACHES! | CCFP | , , , , , , , , ,

What are the SAMPs and how do you recommend studying for the SAMPs? The Short answer management problems (SAMPs) test your knowledge base and problem-solving skills. The SAMPs are done on a computer in different locations across Canada. They take approximately 4 hours and will take place on the Friday of the examination weekend…

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A group of people sitting in a lecture hall.

What are the SAMPs and how do you recommend studying for the SAMPs?

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Aug 28, 2019 | Comments Off on What are the SAMPs and how do you recommend studying for the SAMPs? | CCFP | , , , , , , , , ,

What are the SAMPs and how do you recommend studying for the SAMPs? The Short answer management problems (SAMPs) test your knowledge base and problem-solving skills. The SAMPs are done on a computer in different locations across Canada. They take approximately 4 hours and will take place on the Friday of the examination weekend…

READ MORE
A group of people sitting at tables writing on papers.

What are the SOOs and how do you recommend studying for the SOO?

by Family Medicine Exam Prep Course |Jul 28, 2019 | Comments Off on What are the SOOs and how do you recommend studying for the SOO? | CCFP | , , , , , ,

What are the SOOs and how do you recommend studying for the SOO? The simulated office orals (SOOs) are CCFPs way of examining how you perform in a clinical setting. The oral examination includes five SOOs which are each 15 minutes in length. At 12 minutes, you will be informed that you have 3 minutes…

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