ABCRS study plan
ABCRS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Colon and Rectal Neoplasia
Outline the colorectal neoplasia syllabus into screening/adenoma, staging, rectal cancer neoadjuvant therapy, and hereditary syndromes blocks
Explain TNM staging and mesorectal excision principles aloud without notes
Build a one-page decision map for colon vs rectal cancer adjuvant/neoadjuvant pathways
Complete 40 domain-1 practice questions and log every miss with the underlying concept
Your checkpoint
One-page staging and treatment decision map plus a categorized error log of 40 questions
Colon and Rectal Neoplasia & Anorectal Disease
Compare screening modalities by sensitivity, interval, and evidence base in a comparison table
Differentiate hereditary polyposis and Lynch syndrome criteria from memory
Describe workup and management of anal fissure, abscess, and fistula in sequence
Answer 30 mixed domain-1 and domain-3 vignettes under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
Screening comparison table and timed 30-question vignette score with review notes
Anorectal Disease
Classify hemorrhoidal disease and map each grade to appropriate intervention
Explain fistula-in-ano classification and its surgical implications
Outline evaluation of anal dysplasia and when to biopsy
Teach back pilonidal and perianal abscess management to a colleague or recorder
Your checkpoint
Anorectal disease flowchart covering hemorrhoids, fistula, and abscess from presentation to procedure
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Contrast ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease by distribution, histology, and complications
Sequence medical therapy escalation and identify surgical indications
Describe pouch surgery, its complications, and dysplasia surveillance
Complete 40 domain-2 questions and reconcile every error against primary concepts
Your checkpoint
UC vs Crohn comparison matrix plus a corrected 40-question domain-2 set
Pelvic Floor and Functional Disorders & Trauma and Emergency Surgery
Explain anorectal manometry, defecography, and pelvic floor testing indications
Differentiate obstructed defecation from slow-transit constipation by workup
Outline damage-control priorities in colorectal trauma and indications for diversion
Describe management of acute mesenteric ischemia, obstruction, and perforation
Your checkpoint
Two-page emergency decision sheet for trauma and acute abdominal catastrophes
Perioperative Care and Critical Care & Trauma and Emergency Surgery
Build an ERAS pathway summary covering preop, intraop, and postop elements
Explain perioperative risk assessment, VTE prophylaxis, and nutrition optimization
Outline sepsis and critical care management relevant to surgical patients
Work through 30 perioperative and critical care vignettes with rationale for each answer
Your checkpoint
ERAS and perioperative risk one-pager plus 30 vignettes with written rationales
Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery & Research, Ethics, and Professionalism
Summarize laparoscopic and robotic approaches, conversions, and ergonomic/technical considerations
Interpret study design, bias, and statistical reporting in surgical literature
Apply informed consent, conflict-of-interest, and professionalism principles to scenarios
Answer 25 mixed domain-7 and domain-8 questions and defend each choice
Your checkpoint
Critical appraisal worksheet on one surgical paper plus 25 defended answers
Colon and Rectal Neoplasia & Anorectal Disease & Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Re-drill all logged errors from weeks 1 through 7 by concept category
Complete two full-length timed practice exams and score by domain
Review weak domains identified by score gaps and rewrite condensed summaries
Finalize a rapid-review sheet of high-yield facts across all eight domains
Your checkpoint
Two scored practice exams with a domain-level performance report and final rapid-review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a timed 30-question set spanning domains 1 and 3, with error log current
Week 4: Score at least 70% on domain-2 questions and demonstrate the UC vs Crohn matrix from memory
Week 6: Score at least 65% on combined domain 4, 5, and 6 questions and complete the emergency decision sheet
Week 8: Achieve at least 75% overall on both full-length practice exams with no domain below 60%