Jiroveci
Forum Newbie
Topics: 9
Posts: 28
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Exam Date/location: Chicago on May 22
Score reported: August 29
Study Materials: FA, UW and www.usmletomd.com
I arrived too early at the test center and became a little flustered. I tried to go over some differentials with some flashcards i had prepared but it didn't really help.
Proctors were nice and friendly. I believe there were 24 of us, divided into two sets with 12 patients for each set. All cases were from FA or UW except 1 or 2. For one of them I had no clue about the Dx and had to make an educated guess. I typed my patient notes i got a lot of practice wiith the PN entry form on USMLE website. Timing myself always for 10 mins.
My Mistakes (I'm sure there are more, but theses are the ones I remember):
1. I accidentally called my second patient by a wrong name(the first patient's name) but I quickly corrected myself.
2. I messed up the order for the differental diagnosis of one case putting the most likely diagnosis as 3rd.
3. Couldn't finish one neuro case on time, did everything but the counselling.
4. I don't know if it was a mistake, but for one patient with an acute abdomen in severe distress the diagnosis was so obvious, i didn't see the need to ask a lot of questions in history as I would in a real life emergent situation. I finished the whole encounter in under 10 mins.
5. For every case there were at least 2 examinations i didn't perform, or 2 questions I didn't ask, or something missing on the Patient note, although I would say I did about a range of 65-85% of what was required for all cases.
What I always made sure I did was to greet the patient appropriately as described in UW, I always made a list of differentials before entering the room, I always made sure I washed my hands, maintained eye contact, I always asked if everything was ok in the room for them before I started with the history taking, I always wiped the stethoscope with alcohol asking them before hand if they were allergic to it, I always performed the proper draping techniques and I tried to be as nice and as professional as possible.
My advice: DON'T PANIC. TRY TO REMAIN AS CALM AS POSSIBLE. Do what you would do if it were a real life patient, Try not to dwell on the mistakes you have made and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Before you know it you'll be on your last patient and before you know it you'll get your results saying you've passed and find yourself getting ready for the match, like i'm doing. BEST OF LUCK!!!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 30
Posts: 2,223
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Congrats. thanks for sharing!
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When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
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| jaydoc
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 101
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are your dates accurate....!!!
did it really take 3 months to get the scores...?
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A conclusion is simply the place where you become tired of thinking.
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| Jiroveci
Forum Newbie
Topics: 9
Posts: 28
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Yep it did. A long agonizing wait.
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| jaydoc
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 101
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but a happy ending, must have made it worth to wait.
i hope i don't have to wait as long, yet the results be as sweet as they were for you...!
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A conclusion is simply the place where you become tired of thinking.
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| doc_clotaire
Forum Guru
Topics: 159
Posts: 1,245
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Thanks for your kind advice
Good luck with the match !
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The elevator to succes is broke ,you must take the stairs
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 22
Posts: 821
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Congratulation GOOD LUCK for match
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