My Approbation Examination
The exam is divided into 2 parts. In the first half, I was given a case to take a complete history and patient examination. This demands an advanced level of communication skills (general and medical) and cultural sensitivity for effective interaction with the patient. Later, I was also asked to demonstrate the abdomen and lung examination. After this, I was requested to document the case and submit.
The second half is the oral examination (Viva), which is probably the most important and tricky stage of the exam. I was asked a lot of questions by three different examiners in Various Subjects (the subjects depend on the professors who come. Normally you are informed of the Commission of Professors some time in advance). The questions were mostly from Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacology and Radiology. Along with that I also prepared on various topics from Strahlenschutz (Protection in Radiology) and Rechtsmedizin (legal matters a doctor has to deal with here in Germany). The questions were mostly presented as clinical scenarios and some direct questions were also asked. It all depends on the Commission. for eg: A patient comes with chest pain? What are the Diff Diagnoses, How do you proceed forward? What investigations will you carry out? What are the steps of management? etc.
This is a gist of my experience for the exams. There are but a lot of Regional Variations in the Exams. The Pattern is almost the same but there can be differences from State to State.
The material and guidance provided helped me a lot for the preparation and passing the examination and am I now in the Job Placement Training phase. Will keep you posted.
If you need anything more let me know Ashok and I’ll get back to you as soon as I have the time.
Dr. V K Thomas.
Dr. Thomas is currently in the 2nd year of PG Training in Germany and is a resident of Kerala, India.
Note: Some names may have been changed to protect the privacy of the concerned individuals. Images used are for representation only and are copyrighted by respective owners.
