silenced, M.D.
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For those starting preparation for Step 2 CS, First Aid is enough. I studied for 4 - 5 weeks, but not everyday. Studied mostly on weekends and a couple of days in between. Just take a relaxed study; take time for yourself to go out and chill. It is not necesary to have a partner to study. I just memorized almost all the cases on First Aid and practiced repeating them to myself pretending the patient was in front of me. Also read some of the patient notes and save some to practice writing them. For me this was the most difficult part since I had never written a patient note in English before, but at the end it turned out to be the easiest part during the exam. Memorize all the differential diagnosis and tests to run for each case.
Concerning the test itself, just go into it relaxed. I have to confess that the two days prior to it I was scared to death; I was even about to put it off, but I managed to calm down and went into it. I ran out of time the in the first case, but completed the rest with way enough time. Some of the cases were not in First Aid, but you will know what to do. I personally made a lot of mistakes: I forgot to ask questions, in one case I did not drape the patient; in another one I did not dried my hands well; in another I almost droped the reflex hammer from the counter, etc. In one of the cases I left the otoscope speculum inside the patients ear when I when to examine the other ear, but I told the patient sorry for the mistake and fixed it right away. There was a grumpy patient, but I was calm and focused on my job; do not get scared, remember they are just acting to test you. When writing the patient note, you do not have to write all 5 differentials nor tests; at least 2 differentials and the pertinent tests to rule out those 2 are fine.
Bottom line is that you do not have to be perfect. Just be kind and compassionate towards the patient. If you do not know the answer for a question for the patient, just tell her/him that you do not know, but you will find out. If you messed up a case, keep on going with the following ones and do not stress; you are actually doing better than you think you are.
After 2 1/2 months of waiting, last night I finally did OASIS/IWA trick and it showed this:
Our records indicate that you have already passed Step 2 CS or the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA®). The USMLE Policy on Reexamination generally does not allow applicants to retake Step 2 CS if they have already passed this exam or the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment.
Good luck!
Edited by silenced, M.D. on 10/12/06 - 09:11 AM
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"SĂłlo los dĂ©biles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonrĂe". ~ JosĂ© MartĂ "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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| mytimenow
Forum Senior
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CONGRATS
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| Dragonfly
Forum Elite
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Congradulations 
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,125
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congrats,
Good luck for the match.
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The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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| silenced, M.D.
Forum Guru
Topics: 73
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Thanks everyone!
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"SĂłlo los dĂ©biles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonrĂe". ~ JosĂ© MartĂ "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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| redsky
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 40
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congratulations! JUst want to know how did you deal with the neuro cases? Such as dementia, depression, parkinson's. Did you do a full Neuro exam? Did you do a full MMSE? Thanks.
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| silenced, M.D.
Forum Guru
Topics: 73
Posts: 620
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I only remember like 1 or 2 neuro cases. I checked cranial nerves, orientation, memory, judgement, gait, motor, reflexes. Not throughly, only focusing on the case. Study well the neuro cases from First Aid.
___________________
"SĂłlo los dĂ©biles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonrĂe". ~ JosĂ© MartĂ "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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