ABIM Infectious Disease study plan

Build a one-page matrix of empiric regimens by syndrome (sepsis, pneumonia, UTI, meningitis, skin/soft tissue, intra-abdominal) with dosing and spectrum gaps

Explain the pharmacologic rationale for beta-lactam, vancomycin, and aminoglycoside dosing strategies, including extended infusion and AUC-guided monitoring

Differentiate resistance mechanisms (ESBL, AmpC, carbapenemase classes, MRSA, VRE, PRSP) and match each to a preferred therapeutic option

Work through 30 practice questions on gram-positive and gram-negative therapy and log every miss by mechanism of error

Compare antimicrobial classes by mechanism, coverage, and signature adverse effects, and recite key monitoring parameters for each

Construct treatment plans for atypical and intracellular pathogens (Legionella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, spirochetes, anaerobes)

Apply source-control principles to endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and device-related infection

Answer 40 mixed bacterial questions under timed conditions and re-teach the five most-missed concepts aloud

Map antiviral agents to their viral targets and list the resistance mutations and monitoring labs relevant to each

Outline diagnosis and management pathways for HSV/VZV, CMV, EBV, and hepatitis B and C, including when to treat versus observe

Classify antifungal agents by mechanism and spectrum, and select therapy for Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Mucorales syndromes

Interpret beta-D-glucan, galactomannan, and cryptococcal antigen results in the appropriate clinical context

Complete 35 virology and mycology questions and annotate each wrong answer with the correct pathogen-drug pairing

Apply latent TB screening and treatment algorithms, including IGRA interpretation and prioritization in special populations

Construct a standard four-drug regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB and explain the rationale for each phase and monitoring interval

Recognize drug-resistant TB patterns and describe the principles of regimen design and referral

Match specimen type, stain, culture, and molecular assay to the suspected pathogen for bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral syndromes

Explain antimicrobial susceptibility reporting (MIC, breakpoints, inducible resistance) and how to use it therapeutically

Design an antimicrobial stewardship intervention for a common misuse scenario and specify the metrics used to demonstrate impact

Apply isolation precautions, hand hygiene, and outbreak-investigation principles to a simulated hospital cluster

Identify device- and procedure-associated infection prevention bundles and the evidence behind each element

Diagnose and treat common parasitic infections (malaria, giardiasis, amebiasis, toxoplasmosis, strongyloidiasis, scabies) including hyperinfection risk

Select appropriate serology, microscopy, and antigen tests for parasitic disease and recognize their limitations

Stratify febrile neutropenia by risk and construct empiric and pathogen-directed regimens, including antifungal escalation

Manage CMV, EBV-PTLD, and BK virus in transplant recipients, and explain pre-transplant screening and prophylaxis schedules

Apply antiretroviral initiation, regimen selection, and drug-interaction principles across common comorbidities

Interpret CD4 count and viral load in staging and opportunistic infection prophylaxis decisions

Diagnose and treat common STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomonas, HSV) including partner management and pregnancy considerations

Build a pre-travel risk assessment and match destination, itinerary, and host factors to vaccines and malaria prophylaxis

Distinguish pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis indications for rabies, hepatitis B, HIV, and tetanus and state the schedule for each

Compare live versus inactivated vaccine contraindications in pregnancy and immunocompromise

Review HIV prevention (PrEP, PEP) and STI screening intervals for at-risk populations

Complete 40 mixed questions spanning travel, vaccines, prophylaxis, HIV, and STIs under timed conditions

Re-score every prior error log entry and confirm each concept is now explainable without notes

Complete two full-length timed mixed blocks and analyze misses by domain and by error type (knowledge, misread, reasoning)

Rehearse high-yield rapid-fire facts: dosing, prophylaxis schedules, isolation durations, and notifiable-disease reporting

Identify the three domains with the lowest accuracy and write a targeted remediation plan for the final days