How to win an MPMSU MS Ophthalmology Gold Medal!
Dr. Vivek Singh, MS (Gold Medalist), FVRS
- Dr. Vivek Singh is currently pursuing his long term fellowship in Surgical Vitreo-Retina from Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore.
- He completed his MS Ophthalmology with a Gold Medal from Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University from GR Medical College, Gwalior, 2018.
- He holds an MBBS degree from Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai.
Interview
Q1. Your year of passing, name of university and your score.
A1. Cleared the finals of M.S Ophthalmology of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU), 566/ 800, in the year 2018.
Q2. Elaborate on the books you referred.
Anatomy-
- Khurana
- Yanoff
- AAO BCSC
Optics & Refraction-
- Duke- Elder’s
- Elkington
- AAO BCSC Clinical optics
BASE BOOK
- Yanoff ( Read complete book thoroughly )
Surgeries-
- Expert techniques in Ophthalmic Surgery by Parul Ichhpujani
- Yanoff
- AAO BCSC
Sections of AAO BCSC read thoroughly
- Retina & Vitreous
- Glaucoma
- External diseases and cornea
- Uveitis and Ocular inflammation
- Pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
- Clinical optics
- Lens and cataract
Recent Advances
- Nema
- Journal articles
Adler’s Physiology as reference book.
Q3. Tell us about your study plan.
A3. The key is always to understand the etiopathogenesis of any disease or any process in depth and then you will know and understand everything of that disease, be it clinical features, management and even what recent advances or research can be tried for that disease.
Q4. How did you juggle between your study plan and hectic residency?
A4.
- Just understand the above mentioned STUDY PLAN and apply it in your hectic residency – SIMPLE. Sometimes it is the vice – versa you see some patient and then you read about it in detail.
- Just do not be after your strict time tables of finishing off some topics. Enjoy that feeling of understanding something in depth – Always.
Q5. Ideal number of revisions to write the exam confidently?
A5.
- There is no fixed number for this.
- But you should be so well versed with your BASE BOOK in the end that when you just see some topic in your main index and you close your eyes, you should be able to visualize your whole chapter from that book.
Q6. Tell us your preparatory leave time-table?
A6.
- I took preparatory leave of only 2 weeks voluntarily though we all were given 6 weeks.
- I personally feel that one should not just read stuff and stay away from seeing patients clinically. So, in these 2 weeks, I just revised my base book.
Q7. Practical exam – important tips and your study plan.
A7.
- Do not refer any book separately for practical exams.
- While reading any topic from your study material; prepare for the approach, history taking and examination at that time only.
- Make a note of this as a practical case at the end of the chapter in the base book itself which will be helpful for practicals.
Q8. How does securing a gold medal give you an edge after your residency?
A8. You develop more faith in your approach – which always helps you in life.
Q9. Mantra that kept you going!
A9. Always love your subject and try giving your best to every patient you see.