Osler Course General Surgery Oral Boards

Osler Course General Surgery Oral Boards are an essential part of board certification for general surgeons in the United States. The Osler Course is held annually to help prepare general surgery residents for the Oral Boards, and is designed to test their ability to accurately evaluate the material presented and formulate an appropriate response. The course curriculum consists of a series of lectures, videos, and workshops given by experienced surgeons. Billed as a “practice” of the actual oral board exams, the course provides residents with a thorough review of the most important aspects of general surgical practice. The Oral Boards comprise three 3-hour-long board examinations administered by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The content of the exams covers all areas of general surgical practice, including trauma and critical care, oncology and endocrine surgery, bariatric, laparoscopic, and minimally invasive surgery, upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery, pediatric surgery and transplantation. Additionally, ABS board examination questions incorporate the surgical specialties of cardiothoracic, plastic, endocrine, and colorectal surgery. At the Osler Course, general surgery residents are taught how to think through clinical scenarios and prioritize patient management options. This involves applying critical thinking and decision-making skills, synthesizing extensive amounts of information, and communicating effectively under pressure. By the end of the Osler Course General Surgery Oral Boards, participants will feel better prepared to succeed in the actual board exam and confident in their ability to answer questions accurately and effectively. A strong performance on the Oral Boards is essential for the certification process, and the Osler Course is designed to help achieve that.