CARDIOLOGY SAUDI BOARD PROGRAM

Transcription

1 CARDIOLOGY SAUDI BOARD PROGRAM Objectives: Saudi Board Third Year-F3 Final Written Examination of Cardiology Provide an objective assessment instrument for the medical knowledge competency of The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Upon completion of training, a cardiology fellow is expected to be a competent specialist in Cardiology capable of assuming a consultant s role in the specialty. The fellow must acquire a working knowledge of the theoretical basis of the specialty, including its foundations in the basic medical sciences and research. Fellow must demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective patient-centered care and service to a diverse population. Eligibility: Rules: Successful completion of the required period of fellowship training (3 years). Obtaining a training completion certificate issued by the local supervisory committee based on a satisfactory FITER report and any other related requirements assigned by any mentioned scientific boards (e.g. research, publication, logbook, etc.) Registering for the examination at least 1 month before the exam date The Saudi Board Cardiology specialty final examination for F-3 will be held once each year on a date published on the SCFHS website (normally toward the end of calendar year). There shall be no resit exam. A candidate would remain eligible for Saudi Board Cardiology specialty final examination for F-3 for a period not longer than three years, provided they could prove they had been clinically active, after which a renewal of exam eligibility require scientific council approval. Examination Format: A Saudi Board Cardiology specialty final examination for F-3 has two parts: 1- Written examination shall consist of A- Paper one: 120 multiple-choice questions, one best of four options over 2.5 hours. These MCQs will be distributed as the following: Page 1

2 1. Basic sciences 2. cardiac physiology/pathology 3. Clinical examination 4. Coronary artery disease 5. Valvular diseases 6. Cardiomyopathies/Heart Failure 7. Pericardial/systemic diseases 8. Aortic diseases 9. Arrhythmias 10. Adult congenital heart diseases 11. Hypertension 12. Pre-op assessment 13. Pregnancy and cardiac diseases 14. Cardiac pharmacology 15. Cardiac biostatic/ethics 16. B- Paper two: Data interpretation over 3 hours will be distributed as the following: 1-6 echo studies (see attached Key answer) 2-6 coronary angiograms (MCQs-based) 3-6 nuclear studies (MCQs-based) 4-6 hemodynamic tracings (MCQs-based) 5-2 EP tracings (MCQs-based) 6-1 CT-angio (MCQs-based) 7-1 cardiac MRI (MCQs-based) 8-2 Holter monitors (MCQs-based) 9-25 ECGs (see attached Key answer) Examination Conduct and Duration: Paper-1 over 2 1/2 hours duration and paper-2 over 3 hours. Written exam will be delivered as a computer based test when available, otherwise paper and pencil. Passing Score: The passing score is 70%. However, if the percentage of candidates passing the examination is less than 70%, the passing score can be lowered by one mark at a Page 2

3 time aiming at achieving 70% passing rate or 65% passing score whichever comes first. Under no circumstances can the passing score be reduced below 65%. Negative marking is NOT allowed. Declaration of Result: The Cardiology Examination Committee shall approve the examination result before its announcement. Exemption: SCFHS at present has no reciprocal arrangement with respect to this examination or qualification by any other college or board, in any specialty. Suggested References for Saudi Board Final Written/Clinical Examinations of Cardiology 1. Heart Disease- A textbook of cardiovascular medicine By Braunwald, Zipes and Libby 2. Cardiology By M. Crawford, J. DiMarco and W. Paulus 3. Textbook of Interventional Cardiology By Topol 4. Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography By C. Otto 5. Feigenbaum's Echocardiography 6. The Echo Manual By J. Oh 7. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography 8. Hemodynamic Rounds By M. Kern 9. The Art and Science of bedside diagnosis By Sapira 10. Interventional Cardiology By Singer 11. Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Board Review By J. Murphy and M. Lloyd Note: strongly suggested References Blueprint outlines (Saudi Board third year-f3 Examination: Cardiology) Page 3

4 Proportion % Basic sciences/htn 5-8 Cardiac PATHOLOGY 4-8 PHYSICAL examination 3-6 Cardiac PHYSIOLOGY Ethics 3-7 Statistics 3-6 Aortic diseases 8-10 CAD/pre-op assessment Cardiomyopathies/Heart Failure /pregnancy Cardiac Arrhythmia 8-12 Valvular diseasess 8-12 Adult congenital heart diseases ACHD/Pulmonary HTN 3-6 Cardiac pharmacology 2-5 Total 120 Page 4

5 Example Questions EXAMPLES OF MCQs : 1.(Item ID) Answer: B Hypertension Treatment Cognition K1 In the emergency treatment of accelerated hypertension A- Intravenous sodium nitroprusside is usually necessary to control the severe hypertension B- Parenteral therapy is preferable to oral therapy C- Vasodilator therapy to reduce the afterload should be used D- ACE inhibitors are indicated if renal artery stenosis is suspected 2.(Item ID) Answer: A Cardiac Pharmacology Treatment Cognition K 1 Which of the following is not a side effect of ACE inhibitors? A. Hypokalemia B. Cough C. Agranulocytosis D. Hypotension 3.(Item ID) Answer: D Valvular diseases Diagnosis Cognition K2 Page 5

6 This two-dimensional echocardiogram was most likely recorded in which of the following patients? A- A 54-year-old nab with syncopal episodes when bending forward B- A previously health 68-year-old man with sudden onset of pulmonary edema and a new holosystolic murmur C- A 17-year-old girl with atypical chest pain and a midsystolic click D- A 42-year-old woman with palpitations, exertional dyspnea, and episodes of hemoptysis 4.(Item ID) Answer: C Arrhythmias Pathophysiology Cognition K2 In a patient with a recurrent AV nodal re-entry tachycardia A- Adenosine is the prophylactic therapy of first choice B- The cardiac rate is often beats per minute C- Polyuria after a prolonged episode is characteristic D- Transient bundle branch block on ECG indicates coexistent myocardial ischemia Page 6