Preparing for the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) certification exam is a challenging journey for pediatric residents. While they’re navigating demanding clinical schedules and honing their medical expertise, they also need to carve out time for board preparation. Med-Challenger, a leading provider of board preparation resources, recognizes that residents face unique hurdles when preparing for their boards during residency. Here, we’ll explore the top concerns residents have about ABP board preparation, based on key themes identified in resident feedback from the research done by the NIH.
1. When to Start: Procrastination and Prioritization Challenges
One of the biggest concerns residents face is knowing when to start preparing for the boards. In the early years of residency, the exam feels distant, and the immediate demands of patient care and clinical learning tend to take priority. Many first- and second-year residents put off studying, only to realize later that they’re running out of time. Third-year residents often express regret about not beginning sooner.
To combat this, a "micro-studying" approach can be helpful. During inpatient rotations, residents can take a few minutes between patient interactions to review a relevant topic. Using quick-access resources like Med-Challenger's budget-friendly Pediatric Medicine Exam Review, residents can incorporate brief but focused study sessions throughout the day. By adopting this incremental approach, residents can build a foundation over time without overwhelming themselves.
2. Need for Personalized Guidance and Resources
Residents also report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of board prep resources available. They struggle with deciding which materials will be most effective for their unique learning styles and often feel unsupported in this decision-making process. First-year residents, in particular, express a need for more structured guidance, while more senior residents want recommendations based on tried-and-true methods used by successful graduates.
Residency programs can support residents by providing a curated list of endorsed resources, such as question banks, podcasts, videos, and reading materials. A mentorship program, pairing junior residents with those who have successfully completed the boards, could also provide valuable insights and reduce anxiety around board preparation. Residency programs that use learning management system (LMS) for residency programs can further personalize study recommendations by identifying residents who may be at higher risk of struggling with the exam.
3. Desire for Program Accountability and Integration
Many residents feel that their residency programs do not place enough emphasis on board preparation or hold them accountable for their study efforts. Given the rigorous demands of residency, residents often find it hard to dedicate time to studying on their own. They suggest that if programs were more involved in tracking progress and integrating board prep into regular rotations, it would be easier to stay motivated and consistent.
To address this need, residency programs could integrate board prep activities into existing structures, like journal clubs or weekly didactics. Incorporating a "board question of the day" or scheduling periodic board review sessions during the workweek would help residents stay engaged and make it easier to balance clinical duties with exam preparation. Check out Med-Challenger's Case-based Quiz Question of the Day if you want to continue building your knowledge consistently. Programs could also encourage accountability by reviewing residents' progress in semi-annual evaluations.
4. Learning Format: One Size Does Not Fit All
Residents have varied learning preferences, and a common concern is the lack of diversity in board preparation formats. Some residents learn best through video lectures and visual aids, while others prefer hands-on problem-solving, such as working through practice questions or engaging in small-group discussions. Given that board preparation is highly individualized, many residents feel that a more tailored approach is needed.
Residency programs can support different learning styles by offering a variety of resources and interactive formats. For example, incorporating team-based learning or small-group case studies into board review sessions can engage residents who prefer collaborative learning. For residents who thrive on repetition, a spaced learning approach, where board-relevant questions are delivered daily or weekly, can enhance retention. A quality adaptive learning platform can cater to different learning styles, helping residents find the methods that work best for them.
5. Overcoming Fatigue and Maintaining Study Discipline
The physical and mental exhaustion of residency poses a major obstacle to consistent study habits. Residents are often juggling long hours on clinical rotations, additional responsibilities like teaching and research, and personal commitments. In this context, finding energy to study can feel daunting, and maintaining study discipline becomes a struggle.
To counteract fatigue, residents can try breaking up their study sessions into shorter, manageable chunks. Instead of long, intensive sessions, they can focus on “micro-studying” by reviewing topics in 5-10 minute intervals throughout the day, using mobile-friendly resources that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Med-Challenger's modular content is ideal for quick, focused review sessions, allowing residents to stay on track even on their busiest days.
Moving Forward
Preparing for the pediatric board exam is one of the most challenging aspects of residency, and residents face a unique set of obstacles along the way. From uncertainty about when to start studying to the need for more personalized guidance, accountability, varied learning formats, and strategies to overcome fatigue, these concerns are valid and require strategic solutions. Residency programs and board preparation providers can work together to address these challenges, creating a more supportive and effective preparation environment for future pediatricians.
By acknowledging these common concerns and providing structured, flexible, and accessible resources, residency programs and residents alike can feel more confident in their approach to board preparation. For residents, the key takeaway is this: start early, personalize your approach, stay consistent, and use every available opportunity to reinforce board-relevant knowledge.
