Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

News
Podcast

A group of clinicians gives study advice on how to best prepare for the medical oncology board examinations.

The medical oncology board examinations are a pivotal time in a clinician's career. However, preparing for and taking this examination comes as a crucial moment when residents/fellows begin their transition to attending.

Although in theory the process of taking an examination and then beginning a new job sounds simple, it is quite complex. The hematology/oncology boards require rigorous preparation. The examination is followed by the new attending position, where clinicians, for the first time, are on their own, making treatment decisions and leading a team.

ONCOLOGY® spoke with leading clinicians as well as those who are just beginning their careers about this time and how they handled studying while experiencing personal and professional changes.

Eric K. Singhi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of General Oncology in the Division of Cancer Medicine and assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, focused on:

  • His transition from fellow to attending (0:58)
  • Where students should focus their efforts on studying (2:11)
  • Advice he would give to those currently studying (2:47)

Nicholas James Hornstein, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, discussed:

  • Studying for the boards while balancing a new career (3:18)
  • Specific study areas the examination focuses on (5:43)

Marc J. Braunstein, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, fellowship program director in hematology/oncology at NYU Langone Health—Long Island, and codirector of the Hematology-Oncology System at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, highlighted:

  • How to prepare fellows for the career transition (7:11)
  • Advice he gives about this transition (8:17)

Nerea M. Lopetegui-Lia, MD, assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–The James, spoke about:

  • Best review practices for the examination (9:01)
  • Advice she would give to those studying (10:15)

MinhTri Nguyen, MD, a medical oncologist with Stanford Medicine, focused on:

  • As a leadership coach, helping prepare residents/fellows for the career transition (11:36)
  • Advice he would give to those studying (14:34)
Recent Videos
Experts weigh in on tumor-informed testing, false positives, relevant trial data, and other key concepts related to circulating tumor DNA.
Experts highlight methods for optimally treating patients with genitourinary cancers harboring variant histologies at World GU 2025.
Hydration and a healthy, well-balanced diet may mitigate fatigue among patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
Bland foods, such as crackers and chicken noodle soup, as well as fluids with electrolytes, may help stave off treatment-related nausea.
According to Denise B. Reynolds, RD, patients eating well should not be experiencing nutritional deficiencies during cancer treatment.
Related Content