Talk:Preventive medicine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

	This article is within the scope of WikiProject Medicine. Please visit the project page for details or ask questions at the doctor's mess.
Start	This page has been rated as Start-Class on the quality assessment scale
High	This article has been rated as High-importance on the importance assessment scale

Before anyone brings it up, yes, "preventative" is a word, and it is an alternative form of "preventive". However, it is not the correct word for this area of medical specialization. Carl 21:36, 30 October 2005 (UTC)

What's your source for 'preventative' not being correct for this 'area' of medical specialization.

I've taken the liberty of rephrasing the preventative/preventive sentence to avoid the suggestion that 'preventative' is 'not in the dictionary'. I have emphasized that 'preventive' is the preferred form.

[edit] Obscene soviet breasts

Inappropriate for the younger readers, i do feel, must be removed to meet universal guidelines and regulations.

I agree, because, in a generally broad subject like this, there are many alternatives available.

I don't think it's obscene, as it is intended to be didactic rather than pornographic. However, the current caption does not make sense. "A 1930 Soviet poster propagating breast cancer?" Can someone who reads Russian provide a better translation or explanation? MlleDiderot 14:14, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removed section

I removed the following section because it's far too detailed and off-topic for this article. Perhaps some can be incorporated into Association of Preventive Medicine Residents and American Board of Preventive Medicine Examination. --David Iberri (talk) 04:01, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

Agreed that it is inappropriate material here. It was reinserted, but now once again removed.--cjllw | TALK 13:26, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Seems like description of a person who practices preventive medicine could be useful information on a "Preventive Medicine" page -- I have reinserted this material and hope it can stay. June 14 2006

I've also removed the section; it's not written in the same tone as anything else on Wikipedia, and a q&a session / personal account is impossible to fact-check or ensure a neutral point of view. If it could be rewritten in the third person, generalising rather than specifying, and making larger claims or descriptions of the nature of preventive medicine, it would be a much better addition. Ziggurat 21:46, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

Begin removed content.

---

==Brief Description of a Preventive Medicine Specialist, from the Association of Preventive Medicine Residents (APMR)== Hi, I’m a Preventive Medicine Physician!

What does that mean?

I am a physician who has completed (or is currently completing) a residency program in Preventive Medicine, one of the 24 medical specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Areas of specialization within Preventive Medicine include general preventive medicine and public health, aerospace medicine, and occupational medicine. Preventive medicine residents are the physicians who will be the public health leaders of tomorrow, with an emphasis on preserving and promoting the health of communities and populations.

As part of my preventive medicine residency program, I have completed a masters degree in public health (MPH), and completed multiple practicum rotations in the field of preventive medicine, which may have taken place in clinical settings, the military, government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and/or state and local health departments, and health-related industries such as pharmaceuticals or insurance.

How am I like other physicians?

After college, I went to medical school for 4 years and earned a medical degree (MD or DO). Before starting training specific to preventive medicine, I completed at least one year of clinical residency training in a hospital setting. I understand the basic medical sciences, such as pathophysiology, and I have experience managing the care of individual patients with diverse diseases.

How am I different from other physicians?

In addition to my medical degree, I have an MPH, so I understand the concepts of public health (epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental/occupational health, and health management and policy). I focus on populations – groups of people, not just individual patients. I also have additional training in Preventive Medicine beyond other physicians who have earned an MPH degree. My practicum rotations introduced me to preventive medicine and public health practice, including outbreak investigations, research, policy and program development, emergency preparedness, international health, travel medicine, administrative/management activities, and more.

What do I have to offer?

As a specialist in Preventive Medicine, I am uniquely trained in both clinical medicine and public health. I have the training needed to understand and reduce the risks of disease, disability and death in individuals and in population groups, and I have the leadership skills needed to protect the public’s health.

==The American Board of Preventive Medicine Examination: A Resource Sheet for Preventive Medicine Residents== From the Association of Preventive Medicine Residents (APMR) http://acpm.org/apmr.htm

Every graduate of a Preventive Medicine residency should plan to sit for the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) examination. The exam is offered each fall, usually in October or November. Although this can be a difficult time for recent graduates if you have a new job and/or tight finances, it’s also the time when all your training is still fresh in your mind and might be an important tool if you’re looking for employment.

Applying for the Exam

In 2006 the exam will be offered over a two-week period from October 2-6 and October 9-13 in any Pearson VUE testing center location. The cost will be $2295. You can apply for the exam online: https://www.abprevmed.org/application/index.cfm. The online application is straightforward, but it’s not set up to let you look over the whole application; for this, refer to the sample application that’s posted: http://www.abprevmed.org/public/05sample.pdf. The sample is from 2005 but you can find the actual 2006 application as well: http://www.abprevmed.org/html/application.pdf.

To support your application package you’ll need the usual list of transcripts, diplomas, etc. A few tips:

(1) The application form itself, along with payment, is due June 1. Most of the supporting documents are due July 15, but try to submit as many as possible along with the application itself.

(2) Verification of residency / certificate of completion is due July 15; be sure to check with your program to make sure you have fulfilled all of your obligations to get the letter out on time.

(3) Letters: You will need 3 letters of reference from physicians. One letter must be from a board certified PM physician. Use the template provided by ABPM to request letters: http://www.abprevmed.org/html/apply.htm.

(4) You also need a current medical license to apply for the exam. If you have not been previously licensed, be sure to start the process as soon as possible. If you’re concerned about obtaining the license in time to complete your ABPM application, be sure to communicate to ABPM that you have started the process and let them know when you expect to obtain the license. An unofficial resource that provides a rough estimate of turn-around time and cost associated with medical licensing in various states is included at the end of this section. If possible, you should try to get licensed in a state that has some bearing on your professional career or geographic location. If you are ever asked (for example in a job interview), it might not work in your favor to explain that you’re licensed in Alabama because it was cheap.

You may occasionally find outdated material on the ABPM website (www.abprevmed.org), or it may be difficult to find particular information. Direct links to the most important information are included in this document, and the ABPM staff is responsive to queries by phone or email. In addition, once your application is submitted, ABPM is good at keeping in touch regarding the status of your application and will send out regular updates.

The Examination

The exam consists of 300 questions administered in a single day. The morning “core examination” consists of 150 questions covering the basics of preventive medicine. The afternoon “specialty examination” consists of 150 questions that specifically cover OM, GPM/PH, or ASM topics depending on which exam you’ll be taking. 3 hours are allowed for each section (1m:12s per question). All questions are multiple choice with 4 possible responses and a single best choice. The clock does not stop at any time during either the morning or afternoon session; you may leave the testing room for a restroom break (or snack, etc.) but the timer will keep running. The clock only stops during lunch, for no more than 60 minutes between your morning and afternoon examination periods. These exam time limits are not included in the info document or study guide provided by ABPM. This information was obtained from the ABPM administrator by phone. Note: In 2005 the exam was 325 questions, with 175 in the morning (3.5 hours allotted -- 1m:12s per question) and 150 questions in the afternoon (3 hours allotted -- 1m:12s per question).

Once you have registered for the exam, you may access a computer program that lets you practice using the Pearson VUE interface. The practice questions are not all geared towards preventive medicine; the intent of the exercise is to allow you practice manipulating the features of the electronic exam, rather than to learn what types of questions may be asked. Be sure to practice using the computer exam program. You can also deduce certain information about the exam based on what you see in the program; for example, you will find that a calculator is available on the exam screen, but in 2005 it had only the basic four functions of arithmetic – it would not be reasonable to expect complex biostatistics calculations to be required for any exam questions.

During the exam you will be provided with a single dry erase board and marker. No materials for erasing are provided; instructions are to request a new board when you have no space left. You will also find that the computer exam program allows you to type notes for any question you choose, and you can refer back to these notes; however, your computer notes from the morning session will not be preserved for the afternoon session.

Preparation and Review Course

Once your ABPM application has been accepted be sure to schedule your exam as soon as possible. Significant changes have been made in 2006 to avoid problems that have been experienced in previous years regarding test center availability, etc. Nonetheless, it is advisable to schedule your exam as quickly as possible in order to improve your chance of getting a seat at your preferred test center location. If you are having trouble with test center availability, be sure to contact ABPM; they are aware this has been an issue in the past and are eager to help resolve any problems.

The first step in preparing for the exam is to enroll in the board review course sponsored by ACPM. The course is $699 for APMR/ACPM members (regular price is $849); a portion of the course is offered as a “weekend refresher” that costs $349 for members (regular price is $449). You can also choose to buy only the syllabus materials, which cost $295 in 2005. You can find registration information for the course online: http://www.acpm.org/review.htm.

The ACPM review course is the only comprehensive product on the market that is available for ABPM exam preparation. The primary advantage of the course is that it will direct your studying towards topics that are frequently covered on the exam. The ACPM review course is your best first tool for preparing for the ABPM exam, but do not expect a product of the caliber of professional education outfits like Princeton Review or Kaplan.

Several available books and other materials are useful for studying, although none is adequate alone and none has sample test questions that are representative of the ABPM exam.

(1) Last JM, editor. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 4th ed. United States: Oxford University Press; 2001. ISBN 0195141695. You may only use this occasionally, but it is an excellent reference – especially helpful at “translating” jargon used by different instructors who may (or may not) be talking about the same thing.

(2) Jekel JF, Katz DL, Elmore JG. Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine. 2nd ed. United States: WB Saunders Company; 2001. ISBN 0721690793. Useful supplement to ACPM review course, especially biostatistics section. There are some multiple choice practice questions provided, but they are not of the same caliber of question that is presented on the ABPM exam. Well-written, clear, and up-to-date.

(3) Cassens BJ. Preventive Medicine and Public Health. 2nd ed. United States: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 1992. ISBN 068306262X. Lots of questions, but some may be outdated. Probably only useful if you prefer to study from an outline-format text.

(4) Ratelle S. Preventive Medicine and Public Health: PreTest Self-Assessment and Review. 9th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill; 2001. ISBN 0071359621. Designed as a review for USMLE step 2. Lots of questions; may be useful for review.

(5) Hart RH. A USMLE Step 2 Review: Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 1st ed. United States: Appleton and Lange; 1996. ISBN 0838563198. Similar to Ratelle’s book.

(6) Flash Tables. At the ACPM board review course in 2005, a product called “Flash Tables” was for sale, authored by Philip Curd in 2000. Some information is outdated, but selected tables and grids are useful.

(7) Other resources: several websites have information that will be up-to-date and relevant to the exam. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2005. Pocket Guide available online; provides succinct overview of most important topics and recommendations. Order a copy for free or download the PDF: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd.htm. CDC has many materials that provide the best information on topics that will be tested. For example, charts with the leading causes of death: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/osp/charts.htm

ABPM itself has a study guide that is useful and includes 4 sample questions that accurately reflect the actual exam questions. It also includes an outline of exam content, which is very important for directing your studying and also helps clarify what language the exam uses when it comes to various techniques or approaches that may be known by different names (e.g. in biostatistics). You can access the guide online: http://www.abprevmed.org/html/studyguide.pdf.

It may or may not be useful to use your in-service results as a guideline for studying. There is no robust data that demonstrates a useful correlation between in-service scores and ABPM exam scores.

Medical Licensing by State

State -- Fee -- Notes

Alabama -- $270 -- 8 weeks processing time

Alaska -- $840 -- 8-12 weeks processing time

Arkansas -- $500 -- 4-6 weeks processing time

Arizona -- $500 -- There's also a prorated license fee

California -- $530 -- 6-8 weeks processing time

Colorado -- $425 -- After May 1, must pay fee AGAIN

Connecticut -- $450

DC -- $546 -- 2-4 weeks processing time; Board meets last Wed of every month, must have ALL paperwork in by 1 week before Board meets

Delaware -- $245 -- Must interview with Board.

Florida -- $552

Georgia -- $400 -- 6-8 weeks processing time

Idaho -- $446 -- Personal interview may be required

Illinois -- $300

Indiana -- $250

Kansas -- $300 -- Board is called "The Kansas Board of Healing Arts"

Kentucky -- $250 -- 3 weeks processing time

Louisiana -- $382 -- Must interview with Board

Mass. -- $600 -- 8-12 weeks processing time

Maryland -- $817

Maine -- $700

Michigan -- $150 -- 4-6 weeks processing time

---

End removed content.