Doctor, My Face Won’t Move! What’s Going On?

We are excited to see so many of you join our fall FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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YOUR DETAILED CCFP EXAM STUDY CALENDAR: BE PREPARED!

The CCFP exam is quickly approaching. We know you are juggling many personal and professional responsibilities. The FMEP Course is here to help!

We have made a study calendar to help keep you on track.

Click here to see the calendar.

Antenatal SAMP on Iron Deficiency Anemia

We are excited to see so many of you join our fall FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

(more…)

Doctor, Do I Have Monkeypox?!

We are excited to see so many of you join our fall FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

(more…)

YOUR DETAILED CCFP EXAM STUDY CALENDAR: BE PREPARED!

The CCFP exam is quickly approaching. We know you are juggling many personal and professional responsibilities. The FMEP Course is here to help!

We have made a study calendar to help keep you on track.

Click here to see the calendar.

CCFP SOO Exam DOs and DON’Ts! The FMEP Course will get you ready!

As many of you know, the CCFP examination is being delivered in a virtual format.
Most things will not change except for you interacting with the examiner through a digital platform called Practique.

We know that writing the CCFP examination is stressful enough as it is, so our team at the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course has compiled important information about the SOO component of the exam… to make things a bit easier!

Here is the important SOO exam information:

1. What should I review before the SOO component of the exam?

• • It is important that you review all the videos and summary documents provided by the CCFP – here is the link: https://www.cfpc.ca/soo-videos.

2. Where do I write the exam?

• • You can complete the SOO exam from any place you want – we strongly recommend finding a quiet place that is familiar and comfortable to you. Practice SOOs with a colleague via a Zoom or Skype session to give yourself a chance to become familiar with what it is like to interview someone through a computer rather than in person. DO NOT carry out your SOO in a major public place or at a university as you may run the risk of having a compromised internet connection during your SOO.

3. How long is the exam?

• • The exam runs for 2.5 hours (this does not include the additional 15 minutes you will be given to get set up).

4. Do I need to have any specific items with me for the exam?

• • You will be required to provide visual evidence of your identity with a government-issued ID (with a picture). You can use a passport or a current driver’s license. You do not require a pen or paper. You can take notes using the examination platform. You can also have a drink (such as water), as long as it is visible to the examiner and it is in a clear container (remember the bubbly comes AFTER you are done with your CCFP exam!!!).

5. What should you NOT do during the exam?

• • Do not move away from the camera during the exam
  • Warn everyone around you not to enter the room during the exam
  • Put away all books and notes during the exam
  • Do not give or get assistance during the exam
  • Do not write down the exam questions
  • Do not have any paper or pens around you (all note-taking will be done on the computer)

6. What kind of computer do I need?

• • You must have a laptop or desktop computer that has a built-in webcam, speakers, and microphone.
  • You must have a reliable internet connection.
  • Multiple screens are not allowed.

7. How do I answer the SOO questions?

• • SOO questions can be challenging, but we are confident that you will be well prepared to tackle any station you get.
  • First, we recommend you review the sample SOO on our website (we have demonstrated an example of what a superior certificant SOO may look like… and one that is… well, terrible). You can access both here:
    • Click here to watch the FMEP Course Superior SOO Certificant Example.
    • Click here to watch the FMEP Course SOO Non-Certificant Example.
  • Secondly, review the CCFP website. Here is a helpful link: CCFP SOO Exam FAQs. 
  • Third, don’t worry – during our FMEP course weekend, we will run through different SOO scenarios and provide clear examples of how to answer difficult questions such as competency assessments, goals of care conversations, and present examples of how to manage difficult clinical encounters (such as dealing with a victim of sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc.). We will go over possible scenarios you may encounter during your exam and provide guidance on how to approach these scenarios… as well as what you should try and avoid!
  • Lastly, practice, practice, practice with a partner! We hope you found this blog useful, and as always don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have! Good luck studying!

CCFP EXAM: PASS OR FAIL? TOP FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU PASS!

We know most of you are in serious study mode at this point and are well on your way in preparing for the CCFP exam!!!

Our team has sent out a quick survey to our previous course attendees who have successfully passed the 2020 and 2021 CCFP exams – we compiled tips and tricks that helped them pass the exam. Read on to get their PASSING THE CCFP EXAM secrets!

Here are the top five tips:

1. Trust Yourself. You know a lot more than you think you do!

• • The CCFP exam is written by physicians who are well aware of what residents are expected to know by the end of their residency. Although they may throw a curveball at you here and there, the exam is not designed to fail qualified candidates… but rather ensure that you are on par with your peers in your general medical knowledge.

2. Scheduling: Be organized!

• • Most candidates reiterated that pacing yourself in studying is key. Most people start studying 4-5 months prior to the exam date; November/December for the Spring exam and July/August for the Fall exam. The final 6 weeks is when most residents say they really ramp up their studying and focus on areas that are particularly difficult (e.g., review guidelines, review treatment algorithms, etc.). Most residents study 1-2 hours per day in those final 6 weeks and 4-5 hours during weekends before the exam date. However, as we mentioned in point #1 – your preparation for the CCFP exam begins when you enter the residency program. It is key to ensure that you read up on cases during residency and in practice as this truly solidifies your medical knowledge.

3. Don’t forget about yourself. This is really, really important!

• • Let’s be real – all of us have pulled all-nighters, neglected our diet, and skipped regular exercise now and again for the sake of cramming a few more hours of studying for that big exam during undergrad, post-graduate school, and even medical school. However, it is clear that maintaining a regular sleep and exercise schedule as well as eating healthy, well-balanced meals improves performance. Be mindful and make sure you have a good work-life balance…

4. Come up with a plan of how you will tackle each CCFP topic! There are 105. Start planning…

• • The CCFP lays out its objectives for all candidates to review. Review them and decide each day which objectives you will tackle. Be strategic. One of the residents we interviewed said “I combined themes and topics together – for instance, one day I would study Anxiety and Depression key features, and another day I would combine Diabetes and Hypertensionâ€. Review the more challenging topics like ACLS, Hyperlipidemia, and Hypertension the week before the exam to ensure it is fresh in your memory for exam day. Whether you use the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course to work with you to review each objective, or you study alone/with a study buddy, planning is key!

5. Resources, resources, resources!

• • There are several websites that are available to prepare for the CCFP exam. Here are a few that other residents have used BUT be careful! Although these are excellent resources to start off, unfortunately, some of them may be outdated (several of our successful candidates pointed this out). At the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course, we set several hours aside each day to review each topic and have a designated team that looks at the most recent guidelines to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date material for your exam.
    • Family Medicine Notes – Dr. O’Toole
    • CFPC
    • UBC – CCFP Exam Prep
    • Ottawa Resiliency
    • 99 Topics – Dr. Bouchard
    • ccfpprep.com

“Doc, I Need You to Check Me for Lung Cancer!”: Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening

We are excited to see so many of you join our spring FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

(more…)

Wheezing Ain’t EASY! Is It COPD or Asthma?!

We are excited to see so many of you join our spring FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

(more…)

“Doc, It Hurts… Down There…“

We are excited to see so many of you join our spring FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

(more…)