CCFP EXAM STUDY TIPS

Some Wheal-ly Great Advice on Chronic Urticaria If you haven’t seen it in your clinic yet, you will. With no explanation, your patent is suddenly covered in itchy, raised welts. Believe it or not, once it’s chronic, it’s NOT an allergy. According to a 2025 CMAJ article , chronic spontaneous urticaria affects up to 3% of the population and, while it is not a risk for anaphylaxis, it is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition that can be incredibly frustrating for patients

Calling all new Family Medicine residents and any Practice-Eligible folks gearing up for the new hybrid CCFP exam! On Thursday, January 29, 2026, we’re hosting a LIVE Zoom info session packed with expert insights and high-yield strategy. We've taught over 5,000 physicians about the CCFP exam, and we're giving away our secrets for free. Created and delivered by the team behind The Review Course — Canada’s Only Nationwide CCFP Exam Prep Course, this session is designed to give

Tingling thumbs, numb fingers, hand tinglies (say THAT out loud!) ... or a hand that just won’t cooperate? Your patients might be wrestling with carpal tunnel syndrome. From splints to surgery, here’s the latest evidence on what actually helps, and what doesn’t. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common mononeuropathy, affecting 1–5% of the population, more often in women, and caused by median nerve compression at the wrist. Symptoms include pain numbness paresthesia i

(Everything you need to know about the exam shake-up ... without the panic.) Big changes are coming to the CCFP exam, and whether you're writing in 2026 or 2027, the upcoming hybrid format means your study strategy needs an update just as much as your clinical review. We've taught over 5,000 physicians about the exam, and we've got your back too. To help you navigate exactly what’s changing (and how to prepare), join us on Thursday, January 9, 2026, from 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM PST

When it comes to hormones, prolactin doesn’t get much of the spotlight until it starts causing surprises like irregular periods, galactorrhea, or low libido. Here’s what to check, when to recheck, and when referral is indicated. Serum prolactin levels should only be measured when clinically indicated, such as in cases of infertility, menstrual irregularities, low libido, erectile dysfunction, or unexplained galactorrhea.   Normal prolactin levels are under 25 μg/L in females

If you haven't seen a patient with Dengue in your Canadian clinic or emergency department yet, chances are that you will. And they may even show up on your exam - there's a CFPC Priority Topic (also known as The 105 topics) on Travel Medicine. Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne arbovirus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, infects an estimated 390 million people a year, many of whom travel back to Canada after becoming ill. Here ’s how to stay ahead of it, from diagnosis

It's in the news. Get ready for patient requests: New options, new rules, and the "2-1-1" strategy you need to know. Image credit Major Canadian news outlets are reporting  that HIV PrEP guidelines  have changed, and when they hear that, patients could soon be asking YOU for a PrEP prescription…instead of the other way around! Things have changed a lot in PrEP: in the last guidelines 8 years ago, we were told to recommend if high risk, and if patients didn’t meet risk criteri

Feeling drained? Your patients might be, too, and the reason is often overlooked. A 2025 CMAJ article reports low iron is underdiagnosed & undertreated . Here’s why even “mildly low” ferritin matters and what the new Canadian guidelines mean for your patients. Iron deficiency is a global health concern and disproportionately affects females due to menstruation, pregnancy, and socioeconomic factors. Both nonanemic iron deficiency (NAID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) are ass

Can you distinguish Jersey vs. Mallet finger? Do you know the splinting pitfall? They may be tiny, but fingertip injuries can cause outsized trouble. From nail bed lacerations to jersey finger, here’s some pointers to managing hand trauma like a pro. Subungual Hematoma Cause:  Direct crush injury → bleeding under nail plate. Diagnosis:  Clinical; consider X-ray hand (AP, lateral, oblique) to rule out distal phalanx fracture. EXAM TIP: For short answer management problems (be

Thinking Tx for Expistaxis? Think TXA! Topical tranexamic acid (TXA) is an effective treatment for epistaxis. Applied via cotton pledget, TXA significantly increases hemostasis within 10 minutes—82% success vs. 55% with saline in one RCT. It may also outperform vasoconstrictors: 90% success vs. 14% for phenylephrine-lidocaine in patients on antiplatelet therapy. Beyond TXA as an option on the exam, why not stock a vial for your clinic?* TXA reduces 24-hour rebleeding (6% vs.

General Treatment Principles Topical therapies are the first-line mainstay for mild acne (monotherapy or adjunct). Systemic medications...

This is one guideline you want to read closely. Take a close look at targets, exceptions, and how to treat. BONUS EXAM TIP: See the official sample CCFP exam questions which feature this guideline Diagnosis and Definition BP Measurement: Use a validated automated device with standardized technique. Confirm Diagnosis: Out-of-office BP monitoring (home or ambulatory) is preferred. Definition: Hypertension is defined as BP ≥130/80 mm Hg. Treatment Recommendations Lifestyle: Ess

The Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) and Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI Canada) have released the 2025 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. These recommendations reflect Canada’s commitment to the WHO goal of eliminating hepatitis B as a public-health threat by 2030 . For us practicing and studying Family Medicine, we are the front line in HBV detection a

This is one of several articles being discussed by Dr. Moore & Dr. Dhillon LIVE during the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Clinical Live Stream Webinar! Read more at cfpc.ca ... For children over 6 months with a simple febrile seizure  or a first unprovoked generalized seizure , urgent blood work or neuroimaging is typically unnecessary. These seizures are often benign—febrile seizures are usually viral, and many unprovoked seizures are idiopathic and nonrecurr

The latest edition of the Rourke Baby Record introduces several important updates which were just highlighted in the Canadian Family...

In emergency departments (EDs), the decision to initiate intubation for seriously ill older adults is not just a medical decision—it's a...

We know that as a Fall 2025 exam writer, you're responsible for all medical literature right up to June 30, 2025.  When we talk to...

Do you know the 3 most common etiologies and the SOGC 3-pronged approach? Hirsutism can be a really frustrating condition for a large...

Did you guess the cause from the title? Or perhaps even from the sound of a patient suffering from this? Emergency room and urgent care...

Every year when we do our evidence review for all 105 topics for Vital FM Update and The Review Course, we are so impressed by the...