Javier Crespo, head of the Spanish Digestive Pathology Society (SEPD).
The MIR 2022 examination date looms, and countless medical school graduates are engrossed in their final preparation stages. To simplify the process for students, Medical Writing explores one of the exam’s specialties. This piece focuses on Digestive System, a consistently prominent specialty in the MIR exam, featuring insights from Javier Crespo, President of the SEPD.
According to the National Digestive Commission’s president, digestive pathology—encompassing medical and surgical aspects—is a consistently high-frequency specialty in recent exams. Crespo cites the MIR 2019 exam as evidence; it contained the largest number of questions on this subject area. Specifically, 14 questions—identical to the 2020 exam.
“The MIR exam traditionally emphasizes digestive pathology, likely due to the extensive curriculum and high incidence,” the expert notes.
What Digestive topics are most frequently tested in the MIR?
Regarding frequently tested topics—a significant concern for applicants—the doctor admits prioritizing subjects is challenging given the breadth of Digestive issues. However, he states the most commonly tested topics, in descending order of frequency, are: inflammatory bowel disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and its complications, small bowel disorders with malabsorption focus, acid-related esophagogastric disorders, and colorectal cancer in its various forms. “At least one question annually on these topics is practically guaranteed,” he affirms.
The SEPD chair clarifies that questions usually concentrate on treatment and diagnosis. “Clinical aspects hold an intermediate position, while pathophysiology and etiology questions are less common,” he adds.
Guidance for the final weeks of MIR preparation
“Diligence, consistency, perseverance, and, critically, composure and effective study methods are essential.” These are Crespo’s key recommendations for the 13,059 candidates facing the exam for one of the