Mike Ren, MD

On your path to becoming a board-certified family medicine physician, one of the key milestones you’ll encounter annually is the Family Medicine In-Training Exam (ITE). Written by American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) diplomates, you’ll take the ABFM ITE each year during your residency. For many residents, the ITE can feel like a significant hurdle—but read more…

Halloween, for many, is a time of spooky fun, wild costumes, and candy overload. But for resident physicians on call, the night is far from a playful scare. Instead, it’s a dizzying gauntlet of bizarre injuries, illnesses, and the occasional patient still dressed as a spaghetti monster with bloody marinara sauce dripping off a fork read more…

The Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA) is a new way for family physicians to fulfill their continuous certification requirements, the ongoing continuing medical education and assessment program family medicine physicians participate in to maintain their board certification.  The FMCLA offers an alternative to the traditional recertification exam family medicine doctors had to take every read more…

In the complex and ever-changing world of healthcare, patients often look for the most qualified physicians to address their medical concerns. One of the indicators of your expertise as a physician is board certification. You can expect most practicing doctors in the U.S. to be board-certified, but what does it mean when a physician is read more…

If you’ve thought about taking on a leadership role in your program, and even wondered if you’d make a good chief resident, this post is for you! We’ll explain how to become chief resident, the process of running for chief, and how to determine if it’s something you may want to consider. The Duties of read more…

Searching for non clinical physician jobs? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a fresh-faced healthcare professional exploring your options or a medical veteran eager for change, you’re one of the countless physicians who may be interested in working outside the clinic. And we have some great news for you! From education to consulting, there are a read more…

What’s the Step 3 pass rate? What score do you need to earn in order to pass? And how difficult is it to pass the exam? In this post, we’ll explore some of the most frequently-asked questions about USMLE Step 3 and what makes it different (or the same!) from other Step exams. What’s the read more…

No matter which exam you’re preparing for during residency, medical school, or PA school, flashcards can be a valuable tool when it comes to preparing for medical board exams, especially while balancing other responsibilities. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using flashcards, provide tips for how to incorporate them into your board read more…

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) certification exam is a rigorous assessment that plays a pivotal role in certifying physicians in the field of family medicine. This comprehensive examination evaluates the knowledge, skills, and competence of aspiring family medicine practitioners, ensuring they meet the required standards set by the ABFM. The exam is designed read more…

As a resident, you have a unique opportunity to shape the future of medicine by teaching medical students. Not only is it a chance to pass on your knowledge, but it also allows you to refine your own skills as a clinician. As the saying goes, “SODOTO: See one, do one, teach one.” If you read more…

As a practicing or aspiring physician in a clinical setting, you understand the important role that medical consultations play in the everyday responsibilities of your job. Understanding how to manage a consultation and effectively communicate information can make all the difference. Let’s carefully break down a theoretical case study to master what it means to read more…

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for a well-functioning medical team. As a practicing or aspiring physician, it is your duty to set an example in proper communication for your team members.  Whether you’re a resident learning clinical duties or an attending physician, these strategies are sure to improve communication among your medical team. read more…

Starting day one of your residency, patients and attendings will have certain expectations of you. As a resident, it is crucial that you are proficient in communication to retrieve clinical questions in caring for patients, relay this to your attendings, and use evidence that will be used to address said medical concerns. Of course, skillfully read more…

After spending the last two decades in school, there’s nothing quite like that first paycheck in residency. Now that you make money, what are you going to do with it? You can treat yourself, focus on your loans and financial goals, or ideally, find a healthy medium. Being a financially responsible adult doesn’t happen overnight. read more…

In medicine, the pursuit of knowledge does not end once you graduate from residency or fellowship. After all, in order to provide optimized patient care, physicians must be lifelong learners! In this post, we will answer the top questions about continuing medical education (CME) and requirements for family medicine physicians.  1. What is CME and read more…

I was the chief resident during my PGY-3 year of family medicine residency. Frankly, until the application deadline, I wasn’t sure I’d even run for chief. My program selected the chief based upon votes from your peers, but naturally, applicants had to be in good standing with the administration as well. Weighing the pros and read more…

Embarking on residency is a daunting prospect. We’ve heard the horror stories of residents who exceed the 80-hour work-week limit, endure grueling calls, and take ownership of acutely sick patients on inpatient rotations. Admittedly, residents work long hours and go through difficult training in the pursuit of medical proficiency. I would never go so far read more…

Time flies, it seems, and you’ve made it to the last year of your family medicine residency! With less than a year before your graduation, this is your chance to learn as much as you can under supervision before entering the world as an attending physician. Take advantage of these tips to ensure a successful read more…

According to the Maslach Burnout Inventory, there are three specific components in assessing burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lack of a sense of personal accomplishment. About 40% of medical students, residents, and attending physicians experience these symptoms of burnout. Considering the prevalence of burnout among medical professionals, how do you avoid burning out in read more…

The board/licensing exam is one of the most stressful hurdles you face in your medical career. The preparation is tedious and exam day is intense. After all the effort and time you’ve invested, receiving a failing score can be devastating. So, what happens if you fail a board exam? Here are a few next steps read more…