Owner: MY USMLE STEP 2 CS Tips-N-Tricks: Digitaldoc, MD URL:http://CSprotocol.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:24:09 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Fun Tips and Tricks for American and International Medical Graduates preparing for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS)- [former CSA] exam. Includes experiences, reviews, mnemonics, advise and discussions by readers. Site statistics:Click here
STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE II: ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE II: Region : Pakistan (Islamabad)
Published with Permission from "Dr. Pak", MD
(Awaiting Real name and institution for credits)
A profuse thanks to Dr. Pak to contribute to this series of the much asked about Step 2 CS Visa. Me and this blog is blessed with helpful readers indeed ! :-)
Here goes:
"My visa interview was scheduled for the 20th of
STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE III:... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE III: Region : New Delhi (India)
Published with permission from:
Pariskhit Deshmukh, MD
Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur
Yet another Step 2 CS Visa Experience, and this time it comes from a very helpful Dr. Parikshit Deshmukh. Read on !
"Visa officer (VO): come here
Me: good afternoon
VO: How are you?
Me: I am fine. how are u?
VO: I
CSPROTOCOL CELEBRATES 100,000 Visitors !
This bl... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 CSPROTOCOL CELEBRATES 100,000 Visitors
!
This blog started its humble online existence [ Csprotocol.blogspot.com] from August 2005 (I hate myself for not remembering the exact date) - and a few days back I noticed the number of visitors had crossed the 100K mark (100,000) ...Not much of a reason to celebrate I know..but life's too short to not enjoy :-) :-) :-) :-)
Thus on 27th of
Failed & feeling blue ?
No - I wouldn't say "... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Failed & feeling blue ?
No - I wouldn't say "It is OK, next time" and I wouldn't say "Don't worry" .
Take the defeat to your stride, keep aside all wrong emotions that pin you down, think not of the world pointing fingers and do not drown yourself in self-pity.
In the last 25 to 35 years of your life, we all have seen so many defeats and we were dejected each time...but life never stopped,
2007 BEST USMLE STEP 2 CS STUDY MATERIAL POLL RES... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 2007 BEST USMLE STEP 2 CS STUDY MATERIAL POLL RESULTS
(Ongoing)
Having options in life is good - yet there will be times when we wonder why things are not simpler, why so many options ! coz' making the right choice without enough information on all the options is a gamble. That's when we use the public polls lifeline ..wish we could do that for the MCQs on USMLE Step 1, 2Ck and 3 ;-)
Though
CSprotocol wins Blog of the Day Award
Sometime b... 2007-03-05 23:50:00 CSprotocol wins Blog of the Day AwardSometime
back my blog MDsalaries: Physician Salaries in USA won the Blog of the Day Award - and now it's CSprotocol's turn to win the title of 5th March 2007
Now....I am beginning to get used to it ..hehe...some modesty eh? ;-)
HEEL PAIN...
Heel Pains ? Foot Pains ? Same thin... 2006-01-11 08:58:00 HEEL PAIN...
Heel Pains
? Foot Pains ? Same thing ? Well almost - atleast for the sake of our Mnemonic for Heel Pain ;-)
This mnemonic was generously contributed by Dr. Nikhil Gohokar, MD [ GMC - Nagpur, India]
"FOOT PAINS"
F - Fat Atrophy of the heel (age related)
O - Osteomyelitis (not common)
O - Osteoporosis (not common)
T - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis (Achilles) + Tumor
P -
Blood in Stools
(Hematochezia)
Not to confuse th... 2006-01-11 06:09:00 Blood in Stools
(Hematochezia)
Not to confuse this with Melena, which implies black tarry stools (most commonly due to an Upper GI bleed).
Hematochezia is frank blood that goes down the drain - i mean the Pot :-) I used the word Drain here for a reason : A Mnemonic !!
DRAIN gives us the D/Ds for Hematochezia :
D - Diverticulosis (Most Common Reason)
R - Rectal Bleed [Piles, Fissures]
A - Read more:Blood
CIS , ICE and SEP Components - Whazzat ?
Going b... 2006-01-28 04:16:00 CIS , ICE and SEP Components
- Whazzat ?
Going
back to the lessons learned from the historic battles all over the world, the first step to planning one's offensive is knowing the enemy, right ?
The Step 2 CS grading is structured around three parameters:
1. ICE = Integrated Clinical Encounter
2. CIS = Communication & Interpersonal Skills
3. SEP = Spoken English Proficiency
To pass the CS,
STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE IV:... 2007-04-01 07:20:00 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE IV: Region: Mumbai (India)
Published with Permission from :
Kaustubh Shrivastava, MD
And here's another great Step 2 CS Visa Experience Write up and tips by another generous reader:
"hello guys..
just wanted to share my step 2cs visa experience with u people..at the Mumbai consulate..
first things first...always take the visa date asap...as
STANDARD HISTORY-TAKING MNEMONICS
"PAMHUGS FOSS"... 2006-08-06 03:59:00 STANDARD HISTORY-TAKING MNEMONICS
"PAMHUGS FOSS"
This standard mnemonic helps us in completing a clinical history after the chief complaint and related relevant history-taking steps have been taken care off.
P-ast medical history A-llergy hx M-edication hx
H-ospitalization hx U-rinary problems G-I problems S-leep probs
F-amily hx O-b/gyn hx S-exual hx S-ocial hx - use 'SODA'
"SODA"
'SODA'
STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE V: ... 2007-05-05 05:03:00 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCES SERIES
EXPERIENCE V: Region: Calcutta (India)
Published with Permission from :
Tona, MD
Nice name Tonya ;-) One good turn deserves another - thanks to user contributions, people who were helped come back to share more. Thanks to Tonya this time about her Visa experience, who had an equally anxious cab-driver bumping into cars to help her reach on time..he he
"
HEARING TESTS: RINNIE'S AND WEBER'S
About Listen... 2006-11-25 07:36:00 HEARING TESTS: RINNIE'S AND WEBER'S
About Listen
ing....I simply love the way Epictetus puts it : "Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we listen twice as much as we speak" ....a cool way to say it. Not many of us are good listeners, are we ? Maybe we all do need a Rinnie's and Weber's Test, you know...just to be sure ;-) he he
Let's get some practical basics straight first in the context
The art of History Taking...
...or is it a sci... 2006-02-25 13:42:00 The art of HistoryTaking
...
...or is it a science ? They say medicine is both an art and a science. Hell forget it - I like to keep it logical and simple so that it works for me when I need it. We can't really have mnemonics for everything on the USMLE clinical skills assessment, but we sure can have protocols...
Step 1: SP tells you his/her chief complaints,
Step 2 : O.D.P + Details ..
Drape them right dude !
The pic shows how to 'Dra... 2005-10-05 15:02:00 Drape them right dude !
The pic shows how to 'Drape' the patient in a case of Abdominal Examination. Notice that the 'gown' (SP's Shirt) is pulled up to expose just the abdoment. For the rest of the cases, the SP will be sitting and we only have to take the drape and cover the legs while the SP is sitting...
Under no circumstances will we ever need to expose the area below the waist - remember Read more:Drape
PHYSICAL SIGNS: MENINGITIS / MENINGISM
Following... 2007-01-01 19:57:00 PHYSICAL SIGNS: MENINGITIS
/ MENINGISM
Following
Physical Sign's are elicited to support a diagnosis of Meningitis:
1. Neck Stiffness / Rigidity
2. Kernig's Sign
3. Brudzinki's sign
Before we proceed, let's understand that the central idea of these maneuvers is to stretch the meninges, which in turn should pain if they are inflamed.
Neck Rigidity:
Kernig's Sign:
1. Have the Patient
STEP 2 CS SCORE RECHECK / RE-EVALUATION : IS IT WO... 2006-11-22 19:57:00 STEP 2 CS SCORE RECHECK / RE-EVALUATION : IS IT WORTH IT ?
I completely understand the agony, frustration & sadness that a failed Step 2 CS attempt can cause, and getting a score-recheck done is often considered by many who feel they did well on the very sections that they got a 'fail' on. Let us analyze if it really is worth the waiting anxiety and money to apply for a score recheck.
First,
STEP 2 CS Experience at ATLANTA:
By Waqas Tariq, M... 2006-10-28 15:14:00 STEP 2 CS Experience at ATLANTA:
By Waqas Tariq, MD
This one deserves a separate post of it's own to credit the extremely detailed experience and tips that this dude has provided us with !
Thanks Waqas ! - you cannot miss him on Orkut ;-)
"
I dunno where to start my experience but I read for step 2 CS for almost 2 months. Wasnt regular at all as I was also having my regular classes in my
SHOULD YOU JOIN LIVE CS-PREP COURSES ?
There are... 2006-09-12 12:10:00 SHOULD YOU JOIN LIVE CS-PREP COURSES ?
There are many of them around - like C3Ny, PassCSA, Kaplan CS Prep , etc. For those who are not aware, these are short courses that simulate the exam with their own people and coach you for a fee.
Well, I did not take any because I did not believe I needed them and yeah - as if the Step 2 CS was not expensive enough !!
But all the same, these course
RECOMMENDED GOOD BOOKS FOR STEP 2 CS
These are t... 2006-09-09 22:27:00 RECOMMENDED GOOD BOOKS FOR STEP 2 CS
These are the commonly used books for the Step 2 CS. First Aid remains the hot favourite book. Follow the links to get your low-cost used or new copies...Most of them can be purchased in less than 30 $ !
1. First Aid for Step 2 CS : Tao Le + Vikas Bhushan
The 2006 Edition is out !
2. Case-Based Simulation and Review For USMLE Step 2 CS : Theodore X.
THE "DIX-HALLPIKE" MANUEVER / TEST ?
Every now an... 2006-07-17 21:08:00 THE "DIX-HALLPIKE" MANUEVER / TEST ?
Every now and then, on various USMLE forums you come across a message asking about the Dix-Hallpike Test or maneuver ! Since the blog is dedicated to be a beacon of light for everyone thinking of , planning to or taking the CS, here goes ;-) :
This funny-sounding Test is a confirmatory diagnostic test for "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo", which
About Knocking on the Door Before Entering
At t... 2007-07-06 14:01:00 About Knocking on the Door Before Entering
At times I can't help but wonder how much can the earth save in Electricity bills by banning all electric bells and making it compulsory to have 'knock-only' doors :-) ...Whatever ! me and my weird musings
In the Step 2 CS experiences database, I had one person put in an interesting remark about him/her knocking on the door and having 'no response
2007-09-06 05:31:00 Forgot to carry a Lab coat or a Stethoscope to the exam ?
I was hesitant to put up this pic that says "Don't Forget" - coz the nature of the human mind is to, consciously or sub-consciously, do the opposite of what's suggested - maybe it's the fun & challenge of trying out the prohibited or simply refusal to bow to another authority ..he he
Anyways...the other day I got this frantic & panicky
2007-09-05 23:38:00 Are Digital Watches Allowed on the Step 2 CS ?
Questions to me on my Step 2 CS Forum spark new ideas for posts on this blog and I must therefore thank the readers for their questions !
Answer: No - Digital Wrist Watches are NOT allowed while taking the Step 2 CS.
Analog Watches are allowed ONLY IF :
1. They do not have any computer communication and/or memory capability and
2. They do not
2007-10-01 20:39:00 2007 and 2008 USMLE Step 2 CS Reporting Schedule
This is just some shameless Copy-paste job I have done off the ECFMG website - but hey at least this might be easier to find ;-)
Step 2 CS 2007 Reporting Schedule Testing Period Reporting Period
2007-10-04 16:30:00 When Can You Retake the Step 2 CS after a failed Attempt ?
Before May 2007, a candidate was not allowed to repeat the same USMLE Step within 60 days of the previous failed or an incomplete attempt. Starting May 2007, this 'waiting period' was eliminated.
BUT - The registering for the exam for the next attempt can only be done AFTER the results of the failed attempt are available.
That's
2007-12-08 15:30:00 A Mnemonic for D/Ds of Confusion and /or Memory Loss
At times, I wish I could hire someone just to sort out my emails and sort out the unmoderated comments on various blogs I try to maintain. This blog alone has 250+ unread and unmoderated comments waiting in line that I have yet to publish! My apologies for that, but I am working on it.
Here's a cool mnemonic that a reader - Pau or (it must
No title 2008-03-07 02:28:00 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCE
Region: Mumbai (India) : EXPERIENCE VIII
Published with Permission from:
Ayaaz Multani Gupta, MD
Experience Date: Feb 2008
Thanks to the continued warmth of readers willing to share and help, CSprotocol blog is stacking up loads of good karma and hopefully some of it rubs on to me too ;-)
Here's a cool experience writeup by Dr. Ayaaz:
My interview time was 9:15
No title 2008-02-03 21:08:00 STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCE
Region: Cairo (Egypt) : EXPERIENCE VII:
Published with Permission from:
An Anonymous Egyptian IMG
Experience Date: Jan 2008
CSprotocol blog continues to get lucky with readers eager to contribute in the spirit of helping. Here's a very detailed write-up about the visa rejection experience at Cairo in Egypt. The contributor chose to remain anonymous and would like
No title 2008-01-29 01:56:00 NEW STEP 2 CS VISA EXPERIENCE
Region: Delhi (India) : EXPERIENCE VI:
Published with Permission from:
Nagendra Gupta, MD
Experience Date: Jan 2008
Yet another spectacular and graphic Step 2 CS Visa interview experience contributed by a very delighted Dr. Nagdeep from India who "came out jumping with joy ;-)"
Many thanks to him and Here goes:
"Hello everyone!
First of all, I am very very
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