A. A medical education and publishing company founded in 1990, MedStudy offers resources in a variety of media (books, software, DVDs and conferences) to help you pass the certification or recertification (MoC) exams in Internal Medicine (ABIM) and/or Pediatrics (ABP).

Our resources are designed with learner-friendly content and formats that make material easier and quicker to digest while at the same time enhancing greater retention and recall. Robert A. Hannaman, MD, is MedStudy founder and president. He oversees all educational content development. Candace Mitchell, MD, is the chief author/editor for the Internal Medicine Board Review Core Curriculum and is co-director of MedStudy's ABIM Recertification Review Courses. J. Thomas Cross, Jr., MD, Vice President for Education, is the chief author/editor for the Pediatrics Board Review Core Curriculum, is an author/editor for Pediatrics Board-Style Questions & Answers and Internal Medicine Board-Style Questions & Answers. Drs. Hannaman and Cross also host the annual MedStudy Intensive Board Reviews—one for Internal Medicine and one for Pediatrics. All of MedStudy's physician authors/course directors have successfully completed the certification and recertification exams in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics or both.

A. The offices of MedStudy are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mountain Time). You can also e-mail us at customerservice@medstudy.com at any time, and a customer service representative will get back to you as soon as possible. You can order any of our products and/or register for an Intensive or Recert Review course online at www.medstudy.com.

A. The Core Curriculum products are the comprehensive IM/Peds board review resources that feature on-point content and a lively, conversational writing style that makes Internal Medicine and Pediatrics uniquely easier to understand for thousands of physicians and pediatricians. Readers can digest and retain it much more easily and thoroughly than competing Board Review products. Both Cores are comprehensive yet concise, and that means more learning with less effort. The topics in the Core are presented in a logical framework and from different perspectives. Thanks to the Core's distinctive focus on only Board-relevant material, users actually remember more by having to remember less.

Strategic use of color, text highlighting, illustrations, tables, diagrams, self-quizzes and mnemonics further enhance the reader friendliness of the IM and Peds Cores while strengthening your ability to retain what you read. Both Cores focus on common conditions that have significant consequences for patients and cover the broad domain of their specialty areas —the elements that comprise the certification/recertification exam content. The facts most likely to be tested are already yellow-highlighted for you in these Cores, and the Quick Quizzes on every two-page spread test you on these facts. The “traditional subspecialties,” on which the majority of the exam’s questions test your knowledge, each have a specifically titled section in these MedStudy Cores. There is also space on every page for the user to make personal study notes.

Many residency program directors and attendings report that residents who use MedStudy as a key component of their learning show deeper medical knowledge, greater expertise in evaluation and care of patients, with enhanced performance in morning reports, rounds, etc. So the Core Curriculum can also strengthen your clinical competence ratings while in residency—a key factor in qualifying/preparing you for the Certification exam.

A. The individual volumes of MedStudy Q&As all function to give you a realistic self-testing/self-assessment exercise. The only real difference is that the actual question-and-answer material is unique to each volume—i.e., there is no duplication of questions from one volume to another. All questions in all volumes are relevant for exam preparation. So your decision about which and how many volumes to order should be based simply on how many questions you want to study with.

Each volume contains not only unique Board-style questions and answers, but also explanations to help the learner. New volumes of Q&As for both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics are released approximately once each year, so multiple volumes of these Q&As are available at any given time, enabling users to build a library of questions numbering in the hundreds. The content of both the MedStudy Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Q&As are available in book and software (CD-ROM or download) formats for each volume. Note that whether you choose the book or software format of the volume(s), the question-and-answer content will be identical for each format. The functional features of software vs. books will, of course, be quite different. Each Q&A product is originally designated for up to 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of CME. Q&A products released in 2009 or later will be designated for 75 CME credits.

The questions in all of MedStudy’s Q&A products are purposely written to be similar to what a physician will encounter on a certification or recertification exam in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. So, as on the exam, these MedStudy questions will generally present a clinical scenario followed by 4 or 5 options for “single-best answer.” The Board exam also uses this “single-best answer” approach. What this phrase means is that although there may be some validity in more than one of the answer options that are offered, only one of those options constitutes the best answer—thus the phrase "single-best answer." The MedStudy Q&A product, of course, informs you what the correct single-best answer is for each question. Also, MedStudy sets the proportion of question topics to mirror what’s on the Board exam, to help ensure the question-and-answer review you do with these products will approximate the kind of topic coverage you’ll encounter on your exam. For almost all questions, you will also be given an explanation that clarifies the clinical decision-making related to the question and explains why the correct answer is indeed the single-best one, as well as why the other answer options are not. So, in summary, you can think of the MedStudy Q&A products as adjuncts to the Core Curriculum and effective tools to assess your knowledge and to “rehearse” for a Board exam.

A. To receive the residency discount, you must fax a letter stating your residency status and signed by your Program Director or Residency department (on letterhead) to 719-520-5973. After the letter has been faxed, please call MedStudy Customer Service at 1-800-841-0547 to register for the course and receive the resident discount.

MedStudy Q&A software for Internal Medicine Volume 4, 2009 Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Volume 3, and 2010 Pediatrics works with Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, and Windows® 7.
MedStudy Q&A software for Internal Medicine Volume 3 and Pediatrics Volume 2 works with Windows® XP only.
MedStudy Q&A software is not compatible with Mac® OS.

A. No. The MedStudy Q&A software is designed for non-virtual Windows platform only (Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, and Windows® 7; see earlier question about Q&A software system requirements for more specific compatibility details). Testing done on virtual machines (both PC and Mac) revealed many incompatibility issues. We do not recommend installation in a virtual environment.

A. No. Currently the Q&A software is designed for Windows platform only (Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, and Windows® 7; see earlier question about Q&A software system requirements for more specific compatibility details) and is not compatible with Mac Operating System.

A. To play DVDs on a Windows-based computer, note the following:
1) You will need to have a DVD drive and appropriate DVD player software.
2) Although Windows Media Player (WMP) software is frequently already installed on new Windows PCs, we advise against using WMP for DVD play at this time due to unreliable performance.
3) If you do not find DVD player software other than Windows Media Player installed on your PC,
we suggest one of the following:
- VLC media player (available free at www.videolan.org/vlc/)
- WinDVD by Intervideo (see www.intervideo.com)
- PowerDVD by Cyberlink (see www.cyberlink.com)

(Disclaimer: References to all non-MedStudy companies are for informational purposes only. MedStudy is not affiliated with any of these companies and does not endorse, guarantee, or provide technical support for their products or programs.)

A. If you have a Mac computer, MedStudy DVDs should play with no problem and without need for any additional software.

A. MedStudy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. MedStudy designates the educational activities described on this website for their respective maximums of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

A. All MedStudy resources furnish the user with a CME application as part of the bound print material (for software format of Q&A products, the CME form is accessed within the program and can be printed from there.) On this application, the user certifies by signature how many credits s/he has earned (1 hour = 1 credit) up to the total AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ allowed for each product. The application process is an honors system, without any formal “test” to be taken. Each product has its own CME application and mandatory evaluation form, and each application/evaluation must be accompanied by a $40 application/processing fee. This is all detailed on the CME application form. (Note: The only exception is that CME credit processing fees are included in the registration fee for MedStudy Intensive conferences and Recertification Review courses.) Click here for more information about CME.

A. MedStudy respects the fact, and physicians understand, that simply purchasing our resources (books, software, DVDs, attending live courses) does not automatically mean they will pass their Board exams. MedStudy provides you with reliable, valuable resources to help you pass your Board exam. It is your effort in using these resources that determines whether or not you will pass. This means developing your own strategy to study for the exam, pursuing that strategy diligently, etc. To give you the best chance of success, MedStudy suggests that physicians carefully review the Core at least three times prior to the exam and supplement this learning with our other resources, basing your product choices on your own learning style. But no matter what products you use, it is only by studying well enough and long enough that you will pass the Board exam.

A. www.abim.org for the Internal Medicine or www.abp.org for Pediatrics. These sites offer dates, blueprints, and other information about exams, and ABIM also provides statistics on pass/fail rates of previous exams, including those of residency programs.

A. Registration with MedStudy is one of the safeguards we use to ensure the security of the item(s) you purchase online, as well as the security of your credit card.

A. Your e-mail address is important for at least two reasons: 1) We send all purchase receipts to the e-mail address you provide; and 2) We also send out Certificate(s) of CME credits after you have applied for such credit.

A. Your credit care is extremely safe with MedStudy. MedStudy implements security measures to protect against unauthorized access to, or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. As with any legitimate merchandising website, when you reach “Checkout” on the MedStudy site, you will see that “http” portion of the address changes to “https,” confirming you have entered a secure transactions zone. This means any personal information, including name, address, e-mail address, and credit card information, is safe from any outside intruders.

Again, MedStudy does not share, sell, trade, exchange, or rent your personal information to others. This guarantee includes your e-mail address.

A. Products are shipped via UPS and it typically takes 3-5 business days to receive in-stock merchandise. Overnight delivery (Monday – Friday only) is available for an additional charge. Please note that overnight orders must be placed by 2 p.m. Mountain Time in order to be delivered the following business day.

A. You can track your order by calling MedStudy Customer Service (1-800-841-0547) during office hours, or make a request via e-mail (customer service), and a representative will provide you with the status of your order.

A. Whether you order online or by phone, mail or fax, a receipt of your purchase will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you provide. To ensure completion of this task, you will want to set your e-mail filters to accept messages from MedStudy.

A. MedStudy allows a two-week return privilege on any print, video, or software product, allowing you to review it, or a representative excerpt of it, for a full 14 days. To be eligible for refund, the complete product must be returned, with any sealed voulumes or cases UNOPENED, according to the Return/Refund instructions accompanying each product. A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number must first be obtained and affixed to the outside of the package in which returned goods are shipped. The address for returns is: MedStudy, 743 Gold Hill Place, Woodland Park, CO 80863. In all cases, refunds will be issued when returned products are received at MedStudy. Return shipping charges to MedStudy are paid by the customer. For additional details if needed, or to obtain and RMA number, please call 1-800-841-0547.

A. For any technical issues that may arise, please contact our Technical Support department:

Voice: 800-841-0547 (option 2), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mountain Time)

Fax: 719-520-5973

E-mail: technicalsupport@medstudy.com If you e-mail a problem during off hours, a technician will contact you as soon as possible the next business day.

A. You may occasionally find MedStudy products for sale by someone other than MedStudy, but a few words of caution are in order:

The opportunity to obtain CME credits is available ONLY to the original individual purchaser of a product, bought directly from MedStudy. A product resold by another party, even if unused, does not qualify for CME credits. Many will advertise that their products come with CME, but this is not so. If CME credit is important to you, be sure to buy your MedStudy product directly from MedStudy. See CME for more information about CME.

MedStudy of course cannot guarantee the quality of any product sold by another party. We’ve had reports of people buying used books that arrive in extremely worn condition, of used CD-ROMs that won’t function properly, and of used DVDs that won’t play correctly. MedStudy supports and guarantees the quality of products if they are purchased through us, but not if they are resold in used condition by someone else.

Unfortunately, a few unscrupulous sellers of MedStudy products are not selling original products at all but rather illegal copies of our products. These people violate Federal Copyright Law because all content in the MedStudy material is original work that is the property of MedStudy and is registered with the Copyright Office. MedStudy owns the exclusive right to control the reproduction, use and distribution of this content. This situation presents the unwary buyer not only the risk of extremely inferior quality but also potential legal liability since it is against Federal Copyright Law to sell or buy such illegal copies. Penalties can range up to $250,000 and/or 5 years in jail. So when considering buying a used product, definitely make sure it is an original product and not a copy of any kind.

NOTE: MedStudy operates in good faith and appreciates the fact that our customers continue to be loyal and supportive of our efforts. When people attempt to sell illegal copies of our works, it hinders our efforts to keep products affordable for the vast majority of our customers. You can report anyone selling (or buying) illegal products to copyright@medstudy.com, providing as much information as you can about the infringer(s). Thank you.

A. That’s correct. Without the expressed written permission from MedStudy, you cannot legally copy this material except for making copies for your own personal use (of material you have legally purchased). If you have a special situation in which you would like to make use of limited copies of specific MedStudy material (e.g., for a teaching situation), you can contact MedStudy to request permission to make copies, and we will try to accommodate such reasonable requests. Without such permission, any copying for sale or for distribution to others — even free distribution — is prohibited.

A. MedStudy respects and is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information of its customers. This Privacy Statement explains how MedStudy collects, uses, and safeguards personal information:

Information we collect – When you browse www.medstudy.com without purchasing or entering any information, you browse anonymously. No personally identifiable information is collected.

When you purchase a MedStudy product or sign up for an Intensive or Recertification Review Course, we collect certain personal information from you, including name, address, phone number, billing and delivery information, e-mail address, credit card information, and other demographic information. We collect this information only to ensure that your order is processed properly and effectively and to better identify the needs of the customers we are serving.

How we use the information you provide – MedStudy does not share, sell, trade, exchange or rent any of your personal information to or with any other vendors. In addition, no information that you provide is shared with any entity outside of MedStudy, other than that which is needed to verify your credit card.

Information security – MedStudy implements security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure, or destruction of data. We restrict access to personal information to the authorized MedStudy personnel who need to know that information in order to process your orders or respond to any requests you may have. These individuals are bound by company policy to keep this information confidential.