Year 2
1)Clinical experience
The patho tutors often don't teach, or assume you know, the clinical aspects of the diseases.
The obvious solution is to read a clinical textbook, but this is easier said than done.
A good compromise is to read literature aimed at laymen(which you are), or to read the first few
paragraphs from a clinical text, and only for the major topics.
Just read to get a feel of what the condition is - don't try to memorize the facts or go into details.
2)Build upon Physio, Histo and Biochem.
I regretted (vaguely) not building a good foundation in year 1, because as is said (ad infinitum),
"If you don't know what is normal, how can you tell what is abnormal?"
There is no shame (and unfortunately no time) in going back to look at your year 1 stuff.
3)Concentrate on the generalities and major topics.
It's very easy, and very unecessary, to go into the fine details in patho.
Focus firstly on the generalities - things such as inflammation, cancer.
With knowledge of normal histology, and basic patho concepts, you can diagnose most patho slides!
Patho, unlike subjects such as Surgery, has no clear cut-off between "must know" and "nice to know".
In patho, there's a very gentle gradation from undergrad to postgrad level, so it's easy to "overstudy".
Be aware of this pitfall, and leave out minor topics (see your syllabus), and the fine print of major ones.
Summarize the main topics using a fixed structure (sieve):
Intro, Definition, Egs, Epidemiology, Aetiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation,
Morphology, Histology, Stage/Grade(for cancer), Complications/Natural History/Prognosis.
During Clinical Years
1)Forget Patho
No, not really. You shouldn't, although you will, in the excitement of clinical years.
You won't be able to set aside time specifically for patho, but at least try to read up
the gross morphology/histopath aspects of clinical topics you come across.
2)CPCs
It's really easy to skip doing CPCs now that they're computerized, especially if they difficult.
Even if you don't/can't do them, browse through the answers during MUD/Counterstrike breaks.
or Counterstrike.
Year 4
1)Forensic & Chem Path lectures
Must go!
Most times the question comes straight from the lecture.
2)Patho short posting
Forensic path is an eye-opener, if a bit long-drawn. Too bad Outram coffeeshop moved.
Chem path is a useful refresher, especially if your patho posting is towards the end.
Reverse CPC under SM Chong was real fun, especially now that you have clincial knowledge.
3)Revision
Don't be intimidated by how patho has become ancient history for you!
A LOT of patho is actually clinical knowledge you picked up from the ward, and what was
totally confusing in year 2 suddenly becomes so easy to understand.
All you have to do is to revise your pathogenesis, morphology, and histopath. (Easier said than done ;)
Concentrate on General Path first, until the 10 signs of inflammation or invasion or whatever come out
like verbal diarrhoea. Use this in system path: ie. myocarditis/pancreatitis/x-itis => inflammation diarrhoea.
Chem and forensic path together form 33% of the essay, so don't neglect them or spot questions!
Go for the big topics - there are no MCQs, and they don't set essays on nitty-gritties.
|
