To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of the content.  The content outline will give you a general impression of the examination and can give you specific study direction by revealing the relative importance given to each category on the examination.

• Patient Specific Activities
• Disease Specific Activities
• Population Specific Activities

Disease Specific Activities (53%)

The percent figures shown indicate the approximate question distribution within each of the content areas. The percent figures next to each content area show what percent of the disease-specific portion of the examination will be devoted to each disease area.

A. Cardiovascular Disorders - e.g., Hypertension, Heart Failure, Ischemic Heart Disease, Myocardial Infarction, Cardiac Arrhythmias, Hyperlipidemia, Peripheral Vascular Disease (11%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

B. Dermatological Disorders - e.g., Pressure Ulcers, Drug-Induced Skin Disorders, Xerosis, Fungal Rashes, Other Common Skin Disorders (3%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

C. Endocrine and Exocrine Disorders - e.g., Thyroid Disorders, Diabetes Mellitus, SIADH, Disorders of the Adrenal Gland, Paget’s Disease, Hormone Replacement Therapy (10%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

D. Gastrointestinal Disorders - e.g., Peptic Ulcer Disease, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, Diarrhea and Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Hepatic Disorder (Cirrhosis), Pancreatitis, Cholelithiasis (7%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

E. Hematologic Disorders - e.g., Anemias, Disorders of Hemostasis, Thrombocytopenia, Disorders of White Blood Cells (5%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

F. Infectious Diseases - e.g., Pneumonia, Urinary Tract Infection, Tuberculosis, Herpes Zoster, Aids, Skin and Soft Tissue Infections, Hepatitis, Bone and Joint Infections, Genitourinary Tract Infection, Influenza, Ophthalmic Infections, Nosocomial Infections, Drug Resistance, Immunizations (9%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, quality of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, quality of life issues, and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

G. Musculoskeletal Disorders - e.g., Osteoarthritis, Rheumatological Diseases, Osteoporosis, Gout, Acute and Chronic Pain, Foot Disorders (10%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

H. Neurological Disorders - e.g., Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attacks), Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor), Dementias (Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Disease, Ischemic Vascular Dementia), Delirium, Seizure Disorders, Neuropathies, Acute and Chronic Pain Syndromes (11%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

I. Nutrition and Hydration Disorders - e.g.,Malnutrition, Dehydration, Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders (5%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

J. Oncology - e.g., Breast Cancer, Skin Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Brain Tumors (3%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

K. Ophthalmology - e.g., Glaucoma, Dry Eyes, Blepharitis, Macular Degeneration, Cataracts (3%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

L. Psychiatric Disorders - e.g., Depression and Other Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, Sleep Disturbances, Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Alcohol and Drug Abuse (11%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

M. Genitourinary Disorders - e.g., Urinary Incontinence, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Sexual Dysfunction, Renal Failure (6%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary

N. Respiratory Disorders - e.g., Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma (6%)

1. Recognize common signs and symptoms
2. Apply disease-specific knowledge to management of patients (e.g., epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, diagnostic/prognostic issues, clinical course, available practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics, qualify of life, patient satisfaction)
3. Design and recommend patient-specific pharmacotherapy considering comorbidity and other factors
4. Evaluate drug response using effectiveness and safety endpoints, qualify of life issues and recommend modifications in therapy as necessary