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Askdoc-USMLE Prep Courses
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I have decided to temporarily stop from writing anything about the USMLE
By askdoc, on April 28th, 2008
Hi everyone. Although it is with a heavy heart, I have decided to temporarily stop writing in my blog or anywhere for that matter at least for the next few weeks or maybe even permanently. A few days ago, I found out that someone from Egypt has been copy-pasting all the contents of my blog to his blog. He edits it to remove all reference to me as well as any links that will identify me as the author. In other words, he has passed off my works as his. What is so funny is that he copy pasted even my emoticons and did not even bother to change the title, just the author. Other people have copy-pasted my work to their forums or blogs, but they have taken the time to at least ask for my permission or attribute it to askdoc. I have no objection to people distributing my work or copy-pasting them, but I believe it is unethical and profound disrespect to strip my work of any attribution to me and claim authorship of my hard work.
The blog is at usmle.egmedicine.com. The domain is registered under the ff. name
Fouad Fakhreldeen, Dr Mohamed fouad.fakhr@gmail.com
almahalla
almahalla alkobra, algharbia 31911
Egypt
0107232377
It is registered with godaddy.com and hosted with dreamhost.com. I have engaged the help of a copyright attorney (he is my brother’s classmate) and will be writing to both godaddy.com and dreamhost.com on copyright infrigement under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
Everything I wrote is free. It was so easy for him to just either ask me permission or attribute authorship to me by writing a small byline, “by askdoc”. Instead not only did he edited out all links, he even assumed authorship. I have stopped writing the ten part “How to create a Study plan for the USMLE” at Part 6. If he thinks he can do it, he can finish part 7 to 10 himself.
For the past month, I’ve also been busy rewriting my outline Notes for Step 1 and Step 2 with the intent of publishing it in my blog. I had thought that it would help a lot of people to know what they should master and know for the USMLE. But I guess that too is up in the air. I shudder to think what this guy would do next. Maybe strip out the authors of original research work and put in his own name. Maybe he’ll even get a Nobel Prize. (sarcasm intended) I don’t know, maybe he’s the type of person who sells people CD that he claim will get you a 99. Or one of those guys sneaking into forums selling DVD’s of Kaplan Lectures or even Kaplan Lecture notes. It sure calls into question his moral and ethical fiber and qualification to be in the medical profession.
Related Posts:
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By askdoc, on September 2nd, 2010%
Biggest Mistake in USMLE Prep
One of the biggest mistakes people make in prepping for the USMLE is underestimating the time it takes to finish the prep. It seems a lot of people start their USMLE prep by opening a book and then start reading. They have no estimate on how fast they . . . → Read More: Three Phases of USMLE Prep
By askdoc, on August 16th, 2010%
Which NBME Form should you Use for USMLE Step 1?
This is one of the most common question that I usually encounter both in my blogs and in the various forums. And you have as many answers as there are NBME forms, in fact more. Various answers include the following
- Use all 7 NBME forms to track your progress
- Use at least 2 NBME forms and get the average
- Use NBME form 5 to 7 as they are harder
- Use NBME form 1 to 4 as they are easier
- Use NBME form (#) as they are most predictive
As you can see recommendations vary and reasons vary. My recommendation is to use at least 2 NBME forms, one from the easy set of NBME form 1 to 4 and the second one from the harder set of NBME form 5 to 7 and then get the average. If you want to know why, then read on.
Continue reading Which NBME Self Assessment Form to Use for USMLE Step 1
By askdoc, on August 2nd, 2010%
It’s been over a year since I first published “NBME Self-assessment Tests and USMLE Review.” Little did I know it will become the most popular of my post with over 14,000 pageviews in the past year. Since that time a lot of things have changed, hence this update.
If you have not read the previous two posts on this topic, please do so as I will not be repeating what I have said there in this post. You can access Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
How well does NBME predict your USMLE Score?
That has been the number one question asked of me since I wrote about this topic. My answer is still the same. Fairly well. Although correlation is never 100% more like 70 to 80%. However, certain development in the past few years have made the assessment tests less reliable for some people. Continue reading NBME Self-assessment Tests and USMLE Review – An Update
By askdoc, on April 7th, 2010%
I would like to announce that you do not have to enroll in the full course to listen to Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course Live Lectures. You can now choose to attend the Live Lectures only for US$ 200. If you decide to enroll in the full course within the next 2 months, you are entitled to a credit of US$100 from the price of the full course.
What is Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Live Lectures?
Unlike other courses, my live lectures concentrate on teaching you how to study for the USMLE Step 1, rather than what to study. It is composed of 6 1.5 hour lectures, presented live over the web. The lectures includes the following:
1. How to Master the USMLE Step 1: This lecture discusses and explains the basis for the study methodologies in the course. It discusses what is unique about the USMLE, why you need to study a certain way to do well. It outlines basic principles you need to consider in designing your review, how long you need to study, what you need to study, how much you need to study, understanding how test questions are designed and how that should impact your study and much much more.
Continue reading Attend Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Live Lectures
By askdoc, on March 4th, 2010%
Hello Everyone, this is actually my first time to try posting videos in my blog. So please excuse the effort if the quality is not too good. Hope to get better at doing this in the future.
A lot of people think that all they need to do in order to do well . . . → Read More: How to Master the USMLE Step 1 – an Introduction
By askdoc, on June 19th, 2009%
The NBME self assessment test is another of those tools that I feel is responsible for the increasingly high scores in the USMLE. It is a great tool that allows the test-taker to assess his or her readiness for the exam. To a certain extent, if used properly, it is also a useful tool for the examinee to target a certain score, even 99′s and achieve it.
Continue reading NBME Self Assessment Tests and USMLE Review
By askdoc, on May 13th, 2009%
*Note: Enrollment for September Classes have started. Please go to this link
I would like to announce that I’ll be accepting applications for the June Batch of Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course which will start on June 1, 2009 and end on November 30, 2009. This is the 4th batch of enrollees for this course and again due to experiences with the previous batches, changes are being implemented to the program for this batch.
As you may well be aware, the first batch started last September, 2008. No fees were collected, however, the applicants were required to have failed Step 1 at least once. Tong, the first to take the exam from that batch has passed with a score of 97/232. The second, Marlene just passed with an 88/213. Most of you may know Marlene. She was the one who was ardently negotiating a position in the prep course on this blog last July to August when I first announced the course. Well she finally made it. You can read more about their exam experience here.
The February batch is mostly on schedule to take their exams in June and July, except for two who have requested to be move the June batch and one who is MIA. So a total of 4 will be taking their exams soon. Continue reading June Class – Accepting Applications for Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course
By askdoc, on March 3rd, 2009%
*Enrollments for June Classes already started and will be open for the whole of May, 2009. If you are interested in enrolling please click on this link. Thank You
Hello everyone, I will now be accepting applications for the April batch of Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course which will start April 1, 2009 and end on September 30, 2009. This is the third batch of enrollees for this prep course. As you may well be aware, the first batch started last September, 2008. No fees were collected, however, the applicants were required to have failed Step 1 at least once. The first to take the exam from that batch has passed with a score of 97/232. You can read more about him here.
The second batch started on January 26, 2009 and currently with 7 members. They paid a fee of $100 but this time around, everyone was accepted but on a first come, first served basis. Currently 4 are doing very well and 3 are doing poorly, not in terms of scores but in terms of progress. You need to be committed to finishing the course, and in order to do that you need to show up. Therefore some modification to the programs need to be done which I’ll discuss later.
Due to my experience with the first and second batch, I believe I have to describe the course in more detail including expectations and the amount of work needed so there is no misunderstanding.
1. The course covers USMLE Step 1 which is seven subjects all in all. The course is 6 months long. Therefore telling me that you do not have enough time to finish 1 subject in 4 to 6 weeks means you won’t have time to finish the course period. Therefore please be ready to invest the time needed to do the course. Nothing less than 4 to 6 hours a day at least 5 to 6 days a week is needed. If you are unable to commit this time, then this course will not help you.
2. The reason you would want in on this course is that it will teach you how to prep for the USMLE in the proper way. Therefore you must be prepared to follow instructions. You would be surprised at how many people insists on following their own methods of studying rather than those outlined in the course. If you will not follow the course’s review methodology, why bother enrolling? Continue reading April Class – Accepting Applications for Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course
By askdoc, on January 5th, 2009%
*Enrollments for June Classes already started and will be open for the whole of May, 2009. If you are interested in enrolling please click on this link. Thank You!
I would like to announce that I am now ready to receive applications for Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course which will start on January 19, 2009 and end on July 19, 2009. However, before submitting your application, please be sure you are really committed to finishing the course, since there really is limited space available.
Due to my experience with the first batch, I believe I have to describe the course in more detail including expectations and the amount of work needed so there is no misunderstanding.
- The course covers USMLE Step 1 which is seven subjects all in all. The course is 6 months long. Therefore telling me that you do not have enough time to finish 1 subject in 4 to 6 weeks means you won’t have time to finish the course period. Therefore please be ready to invest the time needed to do the course. Nothing less than 4 to 6 hours a day at least 5 to 6 days a week is needed. If you are unable to commit this time, then this course will not help you.
- The reason you would want in on this course is that it will teach you how to prep for the USMLE in the proper way. Therefore you must be prepared to follow instructions. You would be surprised at how many people insists on following their own methods of studying rather than those outlined in the course. If you will not follow the course’s review methodology, why bother enrolling? Continue reading Accepting Applications – Askdoc’s USMLE Step 1 Prep Course
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Dear askdoc,
What this chap has done reflects very badly on him, though he prolly doesn’t care. What irks me, as it irks you, is the absolute lack of credit to your effort. But, that’s the way it is sometimes. Life evens it all out though, eventually.
I’m really glad though, that you’ll soon be back, and I, we, look forward to more posts from you.
With all my support,
Paheli
I just had a look at his stupid site. Many of “his” posts are stolen. There are several well know articles copy/pasted there. I am going to start bothering him. Lets see what he has to say about it.
He has copy-pasted from prep4usmle extensively. That’s what I cannot understand, if he just gave attribution, saying he is sharing the posts in the interest of helping others, no one would fault him even the authors. But to copy paste, then remove credit and edit out any reference that would indicate he is not the author is unethical at best and reflects his character. He just deleted all my post in his site, except one and even attempted to post here using an alias to claim that I was pointing to a non-existent site. I caught him because he was using the same IP address as another person that was referred to my site from the admin section of the egmedicine site. Apparently, he is not a webmaster, since he does not realize that all webservers record ip address and referring site in their logs.
I tried commenting there and pointing out several copy-pasted articles (by you, Sharvil, and others). But it seems that commenting is disabled over there at the moment, so I sent him a small email instead. I am eager to hear what he has to say!
Dearest AskDoc: Wish I knew your name…
Please do not lose heart. You would have faced this somewhere in your career/ research life.
Take it from me- sitting in the high level (global) meetings and coming across colleagues who call themselves MDs who stoop so low as to be in the rat race. And some of the learned ones at universities are not far behind either. They were US MDs and from EU and all other countries including the Indian subcontinent and China. Seen them all.
You already have attained a higher level of thinking, going by your writings in the blogs. See this event esoterically and just do the damage control. You have an amazing, outstanding creative mind coupled with a selfless talent to make this page happen. I could not have done it 15 years back even if I had the know-hows of the exam process.
I had your website saved to come back to- months back and happened to stumble into it today. I am trying to quit the rat race and get into private practice. And so testing the waters at your website in 2009 about these exams.
An Old FMGEMS veteran
Hi Mari,
Thanks for the encouragement. I am back writing. Feel free to take what you need and apply to your own prep. May you achieve your aspirations.
Askdoc
P.S. My name is in my Score Report, published somewhere in my blog.