Board Exams in Plastic Surgery: Clinical Prep Strategies | IRF Edition: S1 Ep2-Board Exams in Plastic Surgery: Clinical Prep Strategies

Board Exams in Plastic Surgery: Clinical Prep Strategies | IRF Edition: S1 Ep2

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This episode of the ASPS International Residents Forum focuses on plastic surgery board exam preparation, especially for residents nearing the end of training. Dr. Bob Murphy explains the U.S. board process: yearly in-service exams during residency, a written board exam near the end of training, and an oral board exam later, once the surgeon has some practice experience. He emphasizes that the oral boards test not only knowledge, but also clinical judgment, ethics, professionalism, and the ability to think through complications and uncertainty.<br /><br />A major point is that candidates often underestimate the oral exam’s focus on decision-making and ethical practice. Dr. Murphy advises residents not to “prepare to be ethical,” but to practice communicating thoughtful, patient-centered reasoning and to be ready to explain complications honestly without becoming defensive.<br /><br />For preparation, he recommends steady long-term studying, using resources like old in-service exams and ASPS EdNet, participating in mock oral exams, and studying in small groups. He also stresses building strong habits in clinical documentation, case organization, photo collection, and billing review. Finally, he highlights non-clinical skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and comfort with ambiguity as key traits for success in boards and in long-term plastic surgery practice.

Keywords

plastic surgery board exam

oral board exam

resident preparation

clinical judgment

ethical practice

mock oral exams

ASPS EdNet

plastic surgery

board exam preparation

ethics