CocaCola
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Topics: 35
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Practice! Practice! Practice! that's the key to the exam...
Took the exam a little over a week ago in houston...
I used FA... subscribed to UW but hardly used it... found FA to be better read...
I did all case in FA once by myself... did about five cases from UW with a family member which was more helpful than doing it alone...
Exam day - houston staff was very strict - follow their instructions exactly as they say - they will report you if you deviate!!! They were pretty nice... overall the SP's were nice - only two were a bit difficult...
I had 12 cases - 10 was from FA...
I totally bombed on the first case... messed up on the next two cases... ran out of time on two cases... forgot to ask "do you have any questions for me???" on a couple of cases... drop the clipboard twice during one case...
aside from that I used SP name on entering and during the case - washed hands, cleaned stethoscope, used transition sentences, used draping techniques from UW... never removed SP's bra (not sure if this will prove fatal)...
For chief complaint i asked - O.D.P.F.All.Agg.Ass. - Onset, Duration, Progression, Frequency, Alleviating factors, Aggravating factors, Associated symptoms (symptoms related to the organ system affected)
for Past Med his i asked the classic - PAMSHUGSFOSS
for child case i asked BINDER Birth history, Immunizations, Nutrition, Development, Eating, (can't remember R right now - will post it when i remember) - that mnemonic was pretty helpful...
I used open ended questions... this helped with the Chief complaint because i would asked "are there any other related or unrelated symptoms that started around the same time as your complaint"... the SP's can't lie to you so this sometimes uncovered a cough I didn't ask about...
the diagnosis of most my cases were pretty clear... only one was vague - yet i believe i did a good job on that one... no phone cases...
i practiced my PN from FA... i ran out of time twice...
whether i passed or not is up to USMLE... i seriously doubt i passed... practicing is the key - it gives you confidence, and this makes you more efficient... this exam is about efficiency and confidence!!!
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| Justice
Just signed contract
Topics: 118
Posts: 2,372
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CocaCola,
thanks for your nice post...
GL with your results
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| heena
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 79
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cocacola thanx for your post..can you plz tell me what cases you got as my exam is also in houton next week..and tell me wot to do in last 2 days...thankyou
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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sorry heena, can't give that info - against USMLE rules... but as i said in the earlier post 10 of my cases were in FA... sure the other two are probably in UW... so if you used those two sources you should be OK...
if you have done the cases already i would say review them again over these next two days... shouldn't take long on a second look... also practice your PN from FA... time yourself for your patient encounter and your PN...
I was allways the last to enter my room because i wrote down the SP's name, took a quick look at the vitals on the door, and took a moment to write down 2-3 DDx - this helped focus my questions and lessen anxiety...
Good luck... the exam isn't hard... nothing to study for... just be efficient!!! always counsel... answer questions... the questions the SP's ask are really simple and all were covered in FA...
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| hanwin
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 157
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I took my exam in 6th Feb LA centre.I passed.
I am working as Medical Registrar in UK hospital.
Most of my friends told me 2 weeks preparation is enpugh for CS.
I read the forum. I studied first Aid and UW.
I read UW on the flight just after my last oncall. No study partner.
I practised with my real patients from Hospital.( As you know, most of them are elderly)
I can't finish 15 mins in my real patients.( very slow response)
However, in the CS exam, I found it much much easier.
SP are really good and very quick response.
I finished all the cases in time.
UW and first Aid is more than enough.
You don't need to worry if u don't have study partner.
U can practise in front of the mirror as well.
I felt like I passed after a few cases because you are doing the same in all cases.
Not difficult exam.
Just realx and go for it.
Don't worry about time.
Good luck for everybody.
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| spitmetal
Forum Guru
Topics: 25
Posts: 637
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coca cola did u pass?
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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oasis won't update for me before April 25th... and because i took my exam in late march I am not sure to get my results at that time... i promise i will post as soon as i get the results... the wait is killing me!!!
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| CocaCola
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Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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after the exam i thought i failed for sure... but after reading some experiences from other members of this forum who passed, i am not so sure... hoping my mistakes will not prove fatal for me!!! praying I passed...
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| spitmetal
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Topics: 25
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CocaCola wrote:
the wait is killing me!!!
i know what it feels to wait for the results it haunts and tortures u 
GOOD LUCK MAN 
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NEVER REGRET IF U DID YOUR BEST--"THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO SOMETHING WILL KEEP SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.....BUT REMEMBER YOU CAN DO IT!!" by Dr. Luck a member of this forum
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| doctor_80
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 36
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Hi CocaCola,
wish U all the best for your result . Wud you mind telling me what R stands for in BINDER for child case. I will really appreciate your help.
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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Sorry i totally forgot...
to be honest i can't find the locate this mnenomic... don't remember where i got it... however i think R represents Rash... really important to ask about rashes in a child case...
good luck and thanks for the good wishes...
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There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us!!!
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| CocaCola
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Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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Sorry about the grammar - i meant i can't find this mnemonic and can't remeber where i got it...
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There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us!!!
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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I passed guys... thanks for the positive vibes!!!
Edited by CocaCola on 04/27/07 - 02:01 AM
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There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us!!!
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| spitmetal
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Posts: 637
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CONGRATS  
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NEVER REGRET IF U DID YOUR BEST--"THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO SOMETHING WILL KEEP SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.....BUT REMEMBER YOU CAN DO IT!!" by Dr. Luck a member of this forum
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 31
Posts: 933
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Congratulaton
GOOD LUCK for match
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| kity
Certified.............
Topics: 33
Posts: 1,089
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Congrats!!!!
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| werther
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 110
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Congrats!!!! Cocacola!!!
I'm going to Houston next months, have no clue where to lodge, how did you do that? any logistic advice on that???? My test in on a saturday morning, i was planning to land there on friday morning...
I'm flying from boston, so no idea!!!
THANKS!!!
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 907
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hi werther...
check out this thread
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/48720
good luck!
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There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us!!!
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| werther
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 110
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THANKS!!!!
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| werther
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 110
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Hey guys,
Have anybody gone to the Johnson Space Center in Houston????? I'm sitting for CS on a saturday and I was thinking about taking Sunday off... and go and see that place...
I'd love it...
Any experience to share?
Thanks!
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