Showing posts with label CS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CS. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
CS passed
Finally, after two months' waiting, the CS score came out. For some reason, the ECFMG website revealed the results until 11:15 am. Every second before then seemed so long. The "Pass" came at a right time. I got my certificate right before participating the match. The effort put in CS practice is so rewarding. There is no better way to pass CS except practice, practice, and practice. FA is a must and everything in FA deserves at least three times of reading and practice. The UW video is also a must. Don't forget the orientation video from the USMLE website too! One last word for CS is that treat this test seriously because sometimes it may make the match so hard! Good luck to everyone on the journey to a successful match!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
2009 Schedule for Reporting Step 2 CS Results
2009 Schedule for Reporting Step 2 CS Results
| Step 2 CS 2009 Reporting Schedule Released May 1, 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Testing Period | Reporting Period | |
| For examinees who test | Reporting start date | Reporting close date |
| Jan 1 through Feb 28 | Apr 1 | Apr 29 |
| Mar 1 through Mar 28 | Apr 29 | May 27 |
| Mar 29 through May 23 | Jun 24 | Jul 22 |
| May 24 through Jul 18 | Aug 19 | Sep 16 |
| Jul 19 through Sep 12 | Oct 14 | Nov 11 |
| Sep 13 through Nov 7 | Dec 9 | Jan 6, 2010 |
| Nov 8 through Dec 31 | Feb 3, 2010 | Feb 24, 2010 |
The first results for a given testing period will be issued on the first day of the corresponding reporting period, and it is expected that results for the vast majority of examinees who take the exam during the testing period will be reported on this date. However, it is important to note that there will likely be a small number of examinees for whom scoring and quality assurance are not completed by the first day of the reporting period; these will typically be examinees who took the exam in the latter part of the testing period. Results for these examinees will be reported each week throughout the reporting period, and should be reported no later than the last day of the score reporting period.
This schedule allows USMLE staff to enhance the quality assurance and data collection/scoring procedures performed prior to score reporting. Additionally, it provides examinees, as well as others who rely on Step 2 CS results, with guidelines regarding when a result will be reported for a given exam date. These guidelines allow examinees to plan their exam registration and scheduling in order to have their results in time to meet specific deadlines, such as those related to graduation or participation in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), or "the Match."
- STEP 1
- STEP 2
- Clinical Knowledge (CK)
- Content Description
- General Principles
- Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- Neoplasms
- Immunologic Disorders
- Diseases of the Blood and Blood-forming Organs
- Mental Disorders
- Diseases of the Nervous System and Special Senses
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Diseases of the Respiratory System
- Nutritional and Digestive Disorders
- Gynecologic Disorders
- Renal, Urinary, and Male Reproductive Systems
- Disorders of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium
- Disorders of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissues
- Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Congenital Anomalies
- Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
- Symptoms, Signs, and Ill-defined Conditions
- Injury and Poisoning
- Test Question Formats
- Content Description
- Clinical Skills (CS)
- Content Description
- Step 2 CS Case Development
- Description of the Examination
- Testing Regulations and Rules of Conduct
- Scoring the Step 2 CS Examination
- Terms Used in the Step 2 CS Examination
- Common Abbreviations for the Patient Note
- Appendix A: Patient Note
- Appendix B: Patient Note Screen
- Appendix C: Sample Patient Note Styles
- Appendix D: Clinical Skills Evaluation Center Addresses
- Registration and Scheduling
- Reporting Schedule
- Content Description
- Clinical Knowledge (CK)
- STEP 3
- Orientation/ Practice Materials
- Practice Session
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Step 2 CS: online patient notes practice official site
http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2009/PatientNote/EntryFrame.htm
Experience from a guy at prep4usmle
Doorway: Write all the five DD in abbreviated form before you enter the room. This will help you to ask atleast one pertinent history for each of the DD. This will serve you well and I did not do that and in the end I always had couple of minutes in hand when I concluded.
History: I did not use PAM HUG FOSS or LIQUORAAA but you got to ask these questions and I did. When asking about personal history make a note on your scrap paper, the number of cigs/day, alcohol intake and sexual practice. I would strongly advice to write the family history as well. I did not do it and I was not able to recollect when I was writing the patient notes. Also this will help, to remind yourself to councel the SP. So make a mark on any relevant personal history to remind yourself to councel in the end. I did not even councel a single patient regarding their personal habits and I was lucky becasue only two SPs gave history of smoking and for one I did not councel regarding alcohol.
Whilst washing hands: Ask SP if it is okay if you can talk to him whilst washing and ask if he was able to understand you properly. The bottom line is never stop talking even for a second.
Examination: After draping ask the SP, if they are comfortable and tell them what you are examining. If in one of your DDs, you need to exam pelvic/rectal/breast exam tell did them you will have to do these at a later time. I thought I will tell them before the conclusion part and only remembered it whilst writing the notes, when it was already too late. Be very apologetic when SP reveals signs of tenederness and be very gentle in your examination and remember the SPs are examined by 12 examinees. Remember to extend the table for abd examination. I always supported the SP's shoulder when I made the lay down for the abdomen exam. These little things show empathy and that is very IMPORTATNT.
Conclusion: Always summarize the history, and check with the SP that if you have got it right, explain what you think, give two DD, and explain about the investigation, for example, if you are to mention CT scan, ask him does he/she understand what a CT scan means etc. Now before you go check your scrap paper for personal history and see if you need to councel re smoking, alcohol, safe sex practice and leave by asking if SP has any concerns or questions he/she needs clarification.
Notes: Always start from the DD and Inv. Then go back to history and examination. I wrote the notes and if you are to type, practice on the usmle webite. Practice patient notes at home and time yourself. Certain abbreviations are allowed and know it well since it will save time. So know all the abbreviations that are allowed. You have this in the first aid.
After the exam: Never come to any forums and see if anybody who have taken the exam with you or after you have got the results. This will stress you out. I did the mistake and somebody who took the exam with me passed in 4 weeks and mine took 7 weeks. DELAY DOES NOT MEAN FAILURE.
Materials: I used First Aid and USMLE WORLD. I read few pages in Kaplan CS book regarding how to explain to the patient the examination part and pschy history.
Preparation time: I studied for a week but in an ideal world you will need atleast two weeks becasue I thought in the end I could do with some more time. 3 weeks is more than enough. I prepared alone and if you are to practice with somebody it will be a big help.
About the exam: If you get uncopeartive patient or if you need to examine CNS you will have lot of time constraint so develop a strategy early whilst preparing. There is no time to think during the exam so practice well. YOU CAN DO IT. There is 80% pass rate, so you are more likely to pass. But, 20% do fail, so take the exam very seriously and I was told by somebody it is very easy and he studied for 2 days, well, I did't agree after my experience.
Lastly: Just because you have passed does not make you a master of this exam. So what I have written so far is my humble experience and these are the things I will do to make myself very confident about this exam.
History: I did not use PAM HUG FOSS or LIQUORAAA but you got to ask these questions and I did. When asking about personal history make a note on your scrap paper, the number of cigs/day, alcohol intake and sexual practice. I would strongly advice to write the family history as well. I did not do it and I was not able to recollect when I was writing the patient notes. Also this will help, to remind yourself to councel the SP. So make a mark on any relevant personal history to remind yourself to councel in the end. I did not even councel a single patient regarding their personal habits and I was lucky becasue only two SPs gave history of smoking and for one I did not councel regarding alcohol.
Whilst washing hands: Ask SP if it is okay if you can talk to him whilst washing and ask if he was able to understand you properly. The bottom line is never stop talking even for a second.
Examination: After draping ask the SP, if they are comfortable and tell them what you are examining. If in one of your DDs, you need to exam pelvic/rectal/breast exam tell did them you will have to do these at a later time. I thought I will tell them before the conclusion part and only remembered it whilst writing the notes, when it was already too late. Be very apologetic when SP reveals signs of tenederness and be very gentle in your examination and remember the SPs are examined by 12 examinees. Remember to extend the table for abd examination. I always supported the SP's shoulder when I made the lay down for the abdomen exam. These little things show empathy and that is very IMPORTATNT.
Conclusion: Always summarize the history, and check with the SP that if you have got it right, explain what you think, give two DD, and explain about the investigation, for example, if you are to mention CT scan, ask him does he/she understand what a CT scan means etc. Now before you go check your scrap paper for personal history and see if you need to councel re smoking, alcohol, safe sex practice and leave by asking if SP has any concerns or questions he/she needs clarification.
Notes: Always start from the DD and Inv. Then go back to history and examination. I wrote the notes and if you are to type, practice on the usmle webite. Practice patient notes at home and time yourself. Certain abbreviations are allowed and know it well since it will save time. So know all the abbreviations that are allowed. You have this in the first aid.
After the exam: Never come to any forums and see if anybody who have taken the exam with you or after you have got the results. This will stress you out. I did the mistake and somebody who took the exam with me passed in 4 weeks and mine took 7 weeks. DELAY DOES NOT MEAN FAILURE.
Materials: I used First Aid and USMLE WORLD. I read few pages in Kaplan CS book regarding how to explain to the patient the examination part and pschy history.
Preparation time: I studied for a week but in an ideal world you will need atleast two weeks becasue I thought in the end I could do with some more time. 3 weeks is more than enough. I prepared alone and if you are to practice with somebody it will be a big help.
About the exam: If you get uncopeartive patient or if you need to examine CNS you will have lot of time constraint so develop a strategy early whilst preparing. There is no time to think during the exam so practice well. YOU CAN DO IT. There is 80% pass rate, so you are more likely to pass. But, 20% do fail, so take the exam very seriously and I was told by somebody it is very easy and he studied for 2 days, well, I did't agree after my experience.
Lastly: Just because you have passed does not make you a master of this exam. So what I have written so far is my humble experience and these are the things I will do to make myself very confident about this exam.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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