Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Hi All,
Passed the step2 CS (Source: Oasis trick) ... hurray!!!
Took it in Houston.
Questions are welcome.
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| Transcriptio
Forum Senior
Topics: 39
Posts: 166
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that's great, congrats!!!!
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| maroon8
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 21
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Congratulations!! Can you please tell me if we need to hear lung both on front and back in all cases
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| mlemania
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 3
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hi,
gave my cs.This is what I did on every case knocked,greeted,introduced myself,draped,washed hands,relevant history and review of systems.PAMHUGSFOSS,did relevant clincal exam,summarising my findings,showing empathy,thanking for co-operation,counsellingWrote fairly good patient notes, except the mistakes which are as follows:
Could not counsel in 1 case. Forgot to give smoking counseling in 1 case.Made two errors of significance In one case though i did collect history of HRT but did not write in patient note and it was important in D/D of that case. In one case forgot to take Menstrual history and it was also one of the requirements to rule out pregnancyin that case.other than this rest all 10 cases almost did everything from knocking,to asking if they have any questions at the end.I really dont know how they rate , for all those who have passed and who might have commited similar or other mistakes give me your opinion.
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Hi all!
First of all, I'd like to congratulate the people behind the whole licensing exam show. I mean the people who are responsible for the test to be the way it is. These tests (Steps 1,2,3) are the closest possible to perfection in evaluating a doctor (again thats my take ... people may differ).
The flip side is that it was one the most tense examinations of my life! (I can easily say that the anxiety, fear, tension experienced during this one exam, during that one day, equates to all my earlier exams put together (not trying to scare you all ... just my experience).
Transcriptio: Thank you very much for the congratulations.
Maroon8: No, we do not need to hear lungs (back & front) in all cases ... reqd. only in "chest" cases i.e. cases where involvement of a chest organ may be likely (for e.g. cough, chest pain etc.)
Mlemania: You are in great shape ... relax. You are sounding too "concerned". I made far more mistakes than you, so you have your answer.
Best of luck to you all!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 25
Posts: 1,792
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Tintin:
I agree with you about the tests being fair and evaluating the physicians. Step 1 is about mechanisms, step 2, diagnostics and next step, step 3, treatment, management, CS, English and social skills. Of course, there's always exceptions, people who are great test-takers and not good professionals, and very good doctors who don't pass the test for many different reasons. But I think most of the best doctors that want to come to USA end up doing, and they are sorted out through these tests.
Congrats!
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| Justice
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
Posts: 1,774
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Hey Tintin,
congrats on your success!!!
How long did it take before you got your oasis updated?
Did you write or type the PN?
Thanks...
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| spitmetal
Forum Guru
Topics: 25
Posts: 633
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PAMHUGSFOSS what does that mean???
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 908
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Spitmetal
a mnemonic that's helpful to get a complete past medical history from your SP...
P - past illnesses, infections, chronic diseases, etc...
A - allergies
M - medications
S - surgical history
H - hospitalizations
U - Urinary tract history
G - gastrointestinal tract history
S - Sleep history
F - Family history
O - OB/GYN history
S - Social History (SODA) - Smoke, Occupation, Drugs, Alcohol
S - Sexual history
check this website... lots of mnemonics...
http://csprotocol.blogspot.com/
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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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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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You are so very right Arlete.
Justice, it took exactly 50 days for OASIS to get updated ... and it took 62 days for me to get the envelope with the result. Again it depends when you took the exam ... check the ecfmg website for the exam slots and reporting scheds. Hope that answers your query.
I would never recommend anybody to type PN on computer ... you cannot judge space and time is limited.
Best of luck to you all.
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| young_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 55
Posts: 732
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Hey Congrats! I'm set to take it in Houston this summer..
How's the center in Houston? Which hotel did you stay at if you don't mind me asking?
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First Aid is my Bible...
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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The houston centre is good, I was the only IMG.
I stayed at the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel @ $48 per day (only stays for > 2 weeks come at discounted rates) , 5mins walk from centre (no airport pickup or drop off at exam centre + poor service + no canteen/ eaterie in the hotel.)
Someone on the forum posted that "Days Inn", near the exam centre offers rooms @ $50/day + airport pick-up + exam centre drop.
Cheers.
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| young_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 55
Posts: 732
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THANKS Tintin!
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First Aid is my Bible...
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 40
Posts: 713
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congrats tintin
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| Musharraf Shah
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 5
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What is the maximum number of mistakes you can make in 1 case?Would 1 month be enough to pass the exam if i practice 4 hours daily? I am taking my exam in Atlanta centre.Is it good for IMGS.
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 21
Posts: 808
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Congratulation
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| Jesussaves
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 99
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is the patient note the same as documentation of the case?If not will the patient note template be rated?
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| kity
Certified.............
Topics: 31
Posts: 1,059
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congratulations.... tintin... I have just 2-3 days left for exam.. but I am worried if i wil be able to do all this in time... do you think skipping to closure is good idea.. in order to complete PE or should we just do few relevant exam & do closure if we are running out of time.. what do you say?
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| kity
Certified.............
Topics: 31
Posts: 1,059
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and were you able to do brief heart & lung auscultation in all cases??
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Oh Hi guys!...just came online! Was running around in India.
Musharraf Shah: There are no such "mistake cut-offs" per se. What counts is your overall performance. For example, I forgot to counsel in 2 cases who had a history of smoking, 2 cases who had a history of alcohol intake. However, I can say loosely say that around 1-2 per case are OK provided your bedside manners and interpersonal skills are good. Don't be rude to patients and think as if you are doing private practice.
Coming to the number of hours per day ... again it is individualistic ... "practice" is a broad term. You may do lots of practice but if you do not make the patient comfortable ... all is vain. So concentrate on your weaknesses esp. if you are an IMG. I would suggest improve your inter-personal skills and remember the rules: Rule No.1: "Patient is Boss". Rule No.2: "When in doubt - refer to Rule No.1". Simple! If you have a language problem ... use short sentences ... write down lines that you find easy for yourself rather than using USMLE World phrases, etc.
See, centers don't matter. Take it wherever, it is the performance that matters. The USMLE guys must be commended that they have an above 90% standardisation of exams. They are constantly improvising and most importantly - they MAINTAIN STANDARS. So, center X cannot be better than center Y.
Cheers.
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Thank you Vanshita, Maverick, Kity.
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Jesus saves: I am sorry ... did not quite get you. Can you be more specific and elaborate?
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Thank you Kity!
Kity, in all cases ... I repeat ... in all cases - DO ONLY RELEVANT EXAMINATION! You simply won't have time to do all the stuff mentioned in USMLE World. I am just cut-pasting what I had posted earlier for your perusal.
"Maroon8: No, we do not need to hear lungs (back & front) in all cases ... reqd. only in "chest" cases i.e. cases where involvement of a chest organ may be likely (for e.g. cough, chest pain etc.)"
I did the heart exam in only 2 out of 12 cases; lung exam in 3 out of 12 cases on my exam. That means: If you have a tennis elbow case: only B/L upper limb = shoulder, elbow, wrists, fingers. You may do lower limbs as well. That's it. No cardio, lung blah-blah.
If you have a case of cough ... then listen to lung (ant. + post.) and brief cardio. No neuro exam.
I mean one simply cannot afford to lose precious minutes. I hope I have managed to address your query and drive the point through.
Cheers.
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| Tintin
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 52
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Guys - somebody sent me a pm with some very interesting questions ... I am making them public for the benefit of exam-goers at large, though I am concealing the identity of the person who wrote to me.
a) is it ok if i sit down while interviewing the patient?
Yes, it is absolutely ok. But the advantage in standing is: 1. the patient will not be able to look into your sheet (which they very much did to me eventhough I was standing) - so, he will not know if you are using mnemonics; 2. if you make a mistake or forget something - getting up each time will be a chore; 3. think of somebody interviewing you with his head at approximately your belly-level. Won't you feel a bit uncomfortable?
b) which is better, write or type the PN? ( my writing isnt legible...huhuhu)
It is always better to write. Always. You are in command that way. The screen is small to show the entire typing space and you cannot judge how much to type - I mean adjusting words becomes difficult though not impossible. Your handwriting is not the thing that the examiner will check - it is the substance (unless you write signature-style when one cannot make out anything). So, decide for yourself.
c) is it ok if i stammer sometimes?
If you have a stammering problem - then tell the patient politely but right at the ery beginning - they will understand. I mean it is abolutely normal for someone to stammer. Ok, if it is anxiety-induced then practice the cases aloud at home - helps a LOT!!
d) what if i cough during the interview? when i get nervous i cough a lot (as in hard loud coughs)
--- is it ok if i use a hanky to cover my mouth and should i re-wash my hands after using my hanky?
Good Q. Coughing is something that everybody does including your patient. Now what you should do is - turn to a side and cough. I would use the tissue paper lying next to the wash-basin every time I cough. Alternatively, you can pull out your hanky and put it to your mouth till the cough subsides. No need to wash after using your hanky. But remember! REMEMBER! Once your questioning is over - Don't forget to WASH YOUR HANDS!!! esp. in your situation (that will take care of the organisms embedded in your hanky :-).
e) were u able to do a complete neurologic exam, plus the gait and Romberg's test?
The above tests are for Parkinson's etc. not for a case of Tennis elbow...so be very focused...there will be very little time.
I hope I was able to relieve some of your anxiety.
Cheers.
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| Jesussaves
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 99
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I am sorry Tintin
I guess my question is :-we are given a patient note template to write down the history and PE findings, is that right?and if so at the end we are given 10 mins to document the case.My question is shud we also submit the rough points that we took down on that template(UW says template i e why i am using that word)and will that also be evaluated?I think no but UW gives such an impression.I think only the 10minute notes will be evaluated.Your advise??????????
I hope I made myself clear Tintin.I am sorry once again
Thanks
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