Anesthesia oral boards: The most intimidating test I’ve ever taken

Many consequential exams line the long road to becoming a board certified anesthesiologist. But none felt as intimidating as the actual board certification exam itself. In this video, I describe how this exam is so different from the others, and also provide some advice for future examinees.
Music:
Subtle Swagger by Ron Gelinas: / atmospheric-music-portal
The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional.
#Anesthesiology #Residency #MedicalSchool

[@BuickDoc]

During my Oral Board in 1981 I had laryngitis. I croaked my answers. I went in the room 'knowing' that I would have to come back the next year. Yep, I was going to fail. What do you expect when you cannot talk for an oral exam? The last patient they presented to me was a 5 year-old post tonsillectomy bleed who was going into hypovolemic shock as I transported him back to the OR. I croaked out all the steps I would take to keep this kid alive. I think the reason I passed was that I got emotionally involved with the care of this patient. I 'knew' I was going to fail the test because I could not talk, so I lost all inhibitions and croaked, "When we get back to the Recovery Room, heads will roll!." "There is no reason on God's Green Earth that this patient should be allowed to bleed out like this." "Someone has to pay for this negligence!!!" The words just poured out of me. The committee looked shocked. I was embarrassed. But I passed!!!

[@oliverallen5324]

At the end of everything, advocating for the patient is the entire mission at every link in the chain of survival.

[@rontiemens2553]

Congratulations! The profession is all the better to have you as a part of it.

[@VintageteaCher56]

Congratulations on passing your boards. Your patients will get the greatest anesthesiologist. 🎉

[@Absaalookemensch]

Anesthesiologists are among the most knowledgeable, best prepared physicians I've worked with during my 40 years RN career, mostly in ICUs/Trauma/Life Flight. I've never met an anesthesiologist that I didn't trust. Congratulations! Please solicit input from nurses. We spend much time with patients and can provide subtle clues to improve good outcomes. Be cognizant that RN expertise varies.

[@kpkbkpkb7768]

In a season of challenges and difficulties for physicians, this is the nicest, most uplifting comment. Thanks for lifting up these hard working individuals in our community.

[@dickiegreenleaf6426]

Congratulations Max! Well done!

[@mhenderson9311]

Congrats on passing your boards and thank you for sharing all the informative videos on the subject of anesthesiology. Your dog is very cute, too!

[@_Psalm.91_]

I've watched your videos since your early residency. They're always awesome and I look forward to each one. Congrats Max!

[@curtiswritt8474]

Congratulations Doc, great job! I've been watching you since close to the beginning and love all your info... KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

[@michaelburatovich3199]

Congratulations Doc!! I've had a few bummer oral exams in my day too. They're not for the faint of heart. Well done mate!!

[@AshesOfRoses]

Have been watching since you were a resident. Congratulations on all your hard work and passing exam. 🌷🌺

[@connorgay8481]

Congratulations Max, you will make an awesome physician!

[@starfishgurl1984]

Congratulations Max, well done! So happy for you! Great idea for test preparation using that grid method, it kind of reminds me of some of the tools I learned in an SAT prep course where we were essentially taught how to take a multiple choice test and because of my anxiety, OCD, and sensory and auditory processing disorders it was the best thing I ever learned because it stopped them from getting in my way as much during tests and completely changed my life. I won’t have any need for that medically, but I’m definitely going to adapt it for my needs because I can see how useful it would be to me in certain situations, thanks for sharing!

[@richardwroy14]

Congratulations Dr. Feinstein! You have already passed your oral board exams through your excellent KZbin videos. We are very proud of you! 🎉🎊🎉🍾👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🍾

[@japc4326]

Well done. I have been watching for just a few months but enjoy how you present your knowledge. John

[@lydiachong1274]

Congratulations on passing! Also thank you for sharing this method, it's so useful!, I'll adapt it for my Foundation training this August (NHS).

[@King.Andrew]

I'm so excited for you, Dr. Feinstein! Congratulations on becoming board-certified! I am looking forward to shadowing anesthesiology, my first time shadowing any medical specialty!

[@DexterTheDuck]

I will never take this exam, but found your video fascinating. Thanks youtube algo. You did something right. Also congrats on passing. This has to be a very exciting time for you.

[@jeff1232]

Way to go! You’ve worked so hard for this. Congratulations

[@josephbaker9932]

Congratulations on working so tirelessly to meet the challenge of passing the exam. You can be proud of your work in your training and of your character in facing the challenge without quitting. It must feel good to have achieved something that so few are capable of and are willing to work for. You have earned respect that reflects well on your character and your promise to see this to the end.

[@nassalspray77]

As a MS3 this video was super useful - not so much the anaesthetics but the approach described, definitely going to implement this during rounds. Congrats for passing!

[@GardenGrownGreens]

Congratulations on passing your test Dr. Feinstein! :D May you have a long and prosperous carrier !!

[@russellhern1109]

Congratulations! And a well done video on the orals. Great tips for anyone prepping for them.

[@JustMe00257]

Dear Max, Its always captivating to listen to you. Its also quite impressive to realize, although partly, the amount of work and knowledge involved in completing your training.

[@pilotmark2861]

You’re a rock star. Great specialty. I can tell you’re good . I worked in surgery for 50 years .

[@midship_nc]

Thanks to fantastic people like you in the UNC Clayton team for saving my life last week! A board certified ortho surgeon and a lot of others as well. Lucky to be alive.

[@darriontunstall3708]

Congrats man! That was awesome and I learned a lot. I really enjoy donating to the anesthesiologist Foundation, since it was hard for me to go to college because of my cerebral palsy, I really wanted to be a anesthesiologist physician, it takes a special person and skill to be a anesthesiologist or CRNA and you’re one of them!

[@infopubs]

Congrats! Your handwriting alone assures me you were meant for this field. All kidding aside, I enjoy your videos and learn something from each one.

[@donaldlamendola8294]

We miss you at Mount Sinai! Your doing an amazing job. Your videos helped me with my Nursing Perianeshesia certification! All the best. Donny

[@76ytuser]

Hearty congratulations doc !

[@GregBurgessLights]

Nice job changing the pictures on the computer :). I was a software engineer at Microsoft and Google. Not to compare boards to our interview process, but I can recall thinking I did very poorly, but actually getting the job. Part of the process was to push to the limit to see how candidates would react and how they would recover and simply ask for help or say "I don't know" that is not always a bad thing. Keep up the good work on your channel!

[@mith5168]

Talent and Dedication should be rewarded…you’ll go far Dr!

[@aubreytycer8708]

Thanks for sharing your experiences as a fellow. I was very ill in 2015. One of the fellows that made rounds with the attending endocrinologist took note of my symptoms and made a suggestion for a particular test. With that I was on the way to recovery. I appreciate teaching institutions and all the professors and students that make for good outcomes. Congratulations for passing this difficult test. Your next goal should be help other doctors complete their fellowships and pass difficult tests. You should be very proud!

[@jeffreysalomone6354]

Your videos are excellent, Max. From a board-certified general / critical care / trauma surgeon. Yes, I CAN say nice things about Anesthesia!

[@kathylieburn1059]

Congratulations Max! Your patents are so very lucky to have you as their board certified anesthesiologist! 👍

[@subibrothersbrewing6598]

Congratulations and love the dog changes behind you.

[@irish80122]

Congrats on passing the exam! I took the oral board for psychology but now they are moving to a multiple choice test for it so it is standardized because the board was getting sued over it not being standardized. Honestly, while I appreciate standardization as a PhD, I think something is definitely lost by not having something like this. I hope the boards keep the oral, it is stressful as heck as you describe, but I think it is a much better test than multiple choice.

[@bythewaterwithlove]

Congratulations Max!! 🎉🎉

[@trevormorrison3441]

Thank you for this video! I’ve been watching your channel since my first year of medical school. I never thought I’d make it into anesthesia residency but I’m proud to say I’m almost 10 months in to my intern year of anesthesiology residency and I’m constantly referencing videos of yours that I have book marked for different situations I’ve come across in training so far. Now I have another video to come back to as I get further in training!

[@MaxFeinsteinMD]

Congrats to you!! Best wishes for your journey through residency.

[@andycraddock7677]

Completely fascinating Dr. Feinstein. Congratulations on a First Round pass (as if it was ever REALLY in question!!). A dear friend is a career Internal Medicine physician (MD, 1994) and told me basically the exact same thing. Only for him, the written IM Boards. “Hardest test I’ve ever taken.” Best wishes for your fellowship.

[@paulkoza8652]

Congratulations, Max! I am sure you are quite happy about passing the boards.

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Max, Congrats!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@interestingyeupy]

This was awesome to learn about. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS ON PASSING DR. FEINSTEIN!!! :)

[@HobbesBaxter]

Congrats, Doctor.

[@Wazup4177]

Congratulations Doc. Enjoyed the video.

[@georgia2123]

Congrats Dr. Feinstein!!!! Well deserved!!

[@davidadams9391]

Hi Coby!…..lookin good! Congratulations Dr Max!! No surprises here….

[@wholeNwon]

It can be unnerving. The ABIM had eliminated the practical exam for very good reasons several years before I would take it, but my school felt otherwise and insisted on a "practical" test to pass senior medicine. Recognizing that the art of medicine rests largely on the correct eliciting of the history, the pt. assigned to me was both deaf and mute! I passed and was left with a topper for every resident who later complained to me about the difficulty of his work.

[@jenniferaustin6778]

I’m so excited for you!!!

[@fr33man80]

Congrats bud! You're doing great

[@xjAlbert]

Congratulations on passing the monster exam!

[@deborahrepash4843]

Congratulations! Well deserved.

[@katie7752]

I enjoyed seeing a video about oral boards! I don’t feel like many doctors create videos about this

[@dannaca]

Love this Max!

[@trumpetmom8924]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing. And don’t worry about how you hold your pen. As long as people can read what you wrote and how you hold the pen isn’t causing you pain or difficulty in writing, doesn’t really matter. I tutor kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia and help them fix their pencil grip, but they’re usually between 8 and 11 years old, and it’s easier for them to make a change.

[@Bootmahoy88]

Hearty congratulations, Dr. Feinstein! YES!!!! I live in NYC, so if I ever fall ill, I'll make sure I'm admitted to Mt. Sinai or Columbia Presbyterian! I will ask for you specifically, that is, if I'm conscious enough at the time to do so.

[@XRROW_]

Congratulations on passing your exam!

[@sorphin]

Congrats Doc.

[@JaneDoe-ip5yl]

Oh my gosh I could never. I would fold so fast. But you of course are awesome congrats! 🏆

[@-Seasons-]

Clapcich method is so good. Making a table is just helpful for most academic things I found

[@johnolive9477]

I just took my Anesthesia oral boards last month and passed...but it was a hella stressful experience. That's awesome you did great on it as well. Best of luck. Warmly, Dr. D

[@ninner196]

Congratulations!!😊

[@dogsarefun2]

Great to see the testing is difficult and not compromised by ...............

[@jamieharrison5967]

Very informative, much appreciated

[@michaelquillen2679]

Like your 3:38 comments. When I defended my dissertation (not as tough as your oral board, I'm sure), it was my confidence they pounced upon. That threw me for a loop...briefly. I stayed true to my research and did earn the degree.

[@ShinAgro]

The dog is staring into my soul

[@yankymoskovits9303]

Congratulations Dr. Feinstein!!!

[@BigTummyAche]

I’m a few weeks from taking my National EMT exam. This makes me feel a lot better, even though I am still extremely nervous lol Interesting vid!

[@patspencer5649]

Congrats and be well!

[@donotcare330]

congrats! I can see why the do This "Shark attack" method that the military uses. It tests tenacity, and understanding the cut-off, while under extreme stress. they do it because everything quickly changes and nothing is cookie cutter. I wish more DENTAL "certified" Anesthesiologists had to go through this. because turning off someone's "light switch" is easy. but keeping it on, is a whole different game. Congrats on taking one of the most brutal tests one can take. Keeping a human life in the balance between "off" and "ON". Its great to hear!

[@shirleyw8720]

Many congratulations 😁💪🎉🎊💐

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

Congratulations! Doctors have the best job ever.

[@oskarstaudte]

I like the changing background with different pics of you dog haha

[@IrritatedOnion]

my father-in-law administered these exams for 20 years (makes me wonder if he did your exam as well). next time i see him i will have to ask him to give me some of the crazy stories of what he's seen during these exams.

[@eliwilliamson669]

I’ve been wanting to go into anesthesia ever since I’ve watched Feinsteins videos and for him to say that the board of anesthesiologists is in North Carolina calmed me because I’m not too far from there!

[@VVerTTeXX]

Congratulations!!!

[@simhthmss]

This is very interesting. People outside of medicine pretty much have no idea what Drs and surgeons do in their training.

[@sherrydawson6253]

Wow congratulations 🎊 🎉🎉I'm so excited for you! But dang theirs just 1 state that offers the board ? Thatd crazy plus it costs 1000 bucks? Holly Moses! Now does this mean no more fellowship ? Please 🙏 don't leave us 😢😢😢. I'm so proud of u. Wherever u go , they will be so blessed as well as your patients! Congrats awesome Doctor! 👏 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@MeidasMJ]

Congrats!!

[@VegetarianTrex]

Congratulations 🎉 I totally understand the superstition around recording. I work as a Vet Assistant in a Teaching Hospital and tell everyone I'm only superstitious in the ER.

[@ninner196]

I had the flu, the pukey kind. It was for nursing boards but still not supposed to leave out the room and the bathroom was right there. I had my ID in my hand and the trash can in the other. Well the person stood right in front of me as if I were faking so it was a bad day for projectile without wanting to make things go airborne. Never even stopped me after the second time. Quite the memory. Congratulations!😊

[@embfly]

Congratulations!

[@JimAllen-Persona]

The boards are hard but they should necessarily be. You're dealing with life or death. Closest I've come was choosing to take an oral exam for my MBA rather than spend a semester writing a thesis. In comparison with a board exam, it was a cakewalk. I agree with the study group approach... it really was useful in covering all the material. BTW...love the picture of the puppy in a scrub hat 😇😁

[@413smr]

Congratulations! 👍

[@Chris14321]

Congrats!!!!

[@abdullahkarazon4948]

Congrats!

[@2001s]

Congratulations 🙏🎉🎉🎉

[@kathymulrooney7051]

Congratulations on passing your boards

[@CarolLynnWilliams]

👉 *CONGRATULATIONS !!! ALL YOUR HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF !!!!!* 💫💯%🤩

[@benbookworm]

You get to bring in notes?! That's a double-eded sword, but appreciated. That means your notes had better be well-organized, like you suggested. But also, that's a lot more realistic than other tests in the medical field. While practicing medicine, you have people and resources to consult; but emergencies may limit your time.

[@davedodge5314]

Congratulations!!!!! :) :) :)

[@shelleyclow]

Congratulations 🎉😊

[@frotoe9289]

Oh, I love that oral line of questioning. "If you don't even need this lab to proceed to surgery, then why did you bother sticking the patient with a needle?" When my elderly COPD mom was fading year by year, she would sometimes nag the doctor to do more. He'd hmmm and haww and come up with some procedure he could order. One time what he suggested sounded pretty unpleasant and likely physically taxing for my frail mom and I asked "are you going to change how you are treating mom based on the results of this?" And he immediately says "no--I'm already doing everything there is to do". I look at mom and ask if she really wanted to go through all that when it wasn't going to make any difference whatsoever. No, she didn't.

[@davidmiller2360]

They already needed a pre-op IV anyways, can get blood then!

[@mmoo1954]

Congrats Dr Feinstein!

[@johnydavilma8409]

Respect! 👏

[@TomBreazeal]

Congrats on passing boards! Got any CAA videos in the tank?

[@enitachipoyi1377]

I literally felt sick listening to this, I am suddenly so proud of anaesthetists

[@alexsheremett3097]

Congratulations..! Just for curiosity.. For people who failed are they allowed to continue doing some training or are they kicked home till the next exam

[@JBoy340a]

A friend recently did her boards in Ob/Gyn. She described as pretty intimidating, but fair. She was 4 months pregnant at the time.

[@jessicazaytsoff1494]

I definitely was not distracted by the cute dog photos. It is very good I have 0 responsibility to make sure people stay alive. Except for when driving. For that I definitely am. Im not helping my case. (Congratulations on your boards!)

[@caitlynnmae2475]

So one of my great aunts just passed away age 95. She was under general anesthesia to help reset a broken leg from a recent fall and they couldn’t get her to “come out of anesthesia.” Do you have any videos / would ever consider making a video around this topic? Why it happens? I know they said they would “try” to bring her out for 3 days but what does that mean? Love your content. Thanks!

[@MH_Prof]

There should be more oral examinations in colleges, graduate, and professional schools in the US.