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
2007-12-27 08:02:00 USMLE Step 2 CS Study-plan for Beginners ...15 Days ?
Study ! Study ! Read ! Read ! Oh I am sure you heard it again and again that the key to success in this exam is study, study, read ... Yeah Right !
I say it is confidence, confidence - which comes with practice, more practice and studying the right thing.
The first natural question before studying for any USMLE Step : "So where exactly do I
Is the depressed SP depressing you ?
Don't be - ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Is the depressed SP depressing
you ?
Don't be - coz you got help :-)
First things first - get your data collection sorted out (Step 3 of History Taking) - and we a have a mnemonic for doing just that...
This pic should help you remember this mnemonic :
"FACE SLIPS"
Yeah...when depressed and sad , did your face not slip into your hands ? Arrite..here we go :
F - Feelings of : Guilt, anger
Liked This ? Wont you tell your friends ?
Well...... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Liked This ? Wont you tell your friends ?
Well...it is a competitive world ! But if you are feeling extraordinarily kind and would like to share this information with your buddies - would appreciate if you spread the word about USMLEtoMD.com :-)
Secondly, if you use Google's Orkut.com, you are welcome to join my Step 2 CS community by clicking Here.
For those inclined towards the popular
COMMON BRAND NAMES OF DRUGS FOR STEP 2 CS
What's ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 COMMON BRAND NAMES OF DRUGS FOR STEP 2 CS
What's in a name ? When it comes to drug industry a Brand name synonymus with a drug = Billions of Dollars ! Thanks to the strict patent laws in America, a single drug is associated with a single brand name - unlike some other countries where it isn't unusual to find 20-30 brands of acetaminophen as against the single "Tylenol" in the US. It's good to
A Simple Protocol(SP) for your SP(Standardized Pat... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A SimpleProtocol
(SP) for your SP(Standardized Patient) Encounter
Did you know that, on the USMLE Step 2 CS exam (formed called Clinical Skills Assessment), having a standard protocol saves times and prevents memory lapses ? Read on...
This simple pattern can be used for almost all cases - except of course for telephone encounters and patients for lab results counselling...I used the following
Measuring JVP
After ur general examination...i.e... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Measuring JVP
After ur general examination...i.e. 'PICKLE'
1. Recline the patient at 45 degress..
2. "Before we look at the heart, I need to see if I can see any
pulsations on your neck - could you please look to your left Mr. Smith ...Thank you"
3. Shine a light on the neck so that light falls almost at 180 degrees on the surface - Of course u woudn't see any pulsations on the Step 2 CS test Read more:Measuring
STICKY SITUATION B
Patient moving with extreme pa... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STICKY SITUATION B
Patient moving with extreme pain on the bed the moment you enter the room !
1. Introduce Yourself with appropriate soberness
2. Say "I am sorry that you are in so much pain - I shall go through some quick questions and physical examination - as soon as I am done, I shall promptly have my nurse give you something for your pain. I only ask you to bear with me for a few minutes Read more:STICKY
Fun Stuff on the Internet
Don't even ask me why I... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Fun Stuff on the Internet
Don't even ask me why I am writing this post - these are just random links and things that could perhaps serve as a temporary amusement detour while taking breaks from your monotonous studies....
- Cannot access or download your favourite chat messenger program at a public computer lab or a library ? Then Meebo.com is just for you.
- For those of you addicted to
LIST OF ACCEPTABLE ABBREVIATIONS / SHORT-FORMS FOR... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 LIST OF ACCEPTABLE ABBREVIATIONS / SHORT-FORMS FOR THE PATIENT NOTE:
Short, they say, is good at times. In fact, I was amazed to find a amazing support organization for short people explaining the various physical and biological advantages of being short. I do recommend giving that a read Here.
Well, on the Step 2 CS, if it saves time , short-hand or Abbreviations are cool for the Patient
How to exchange Step 2 CS / CSA Dates
Oh yes - ma... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 How to exchange Step 2 CS / CSA Dates
Oh yes - many of you might have to do this stealth operation and needs two to tango ;-)
If two people wish to exchange CS dates - all they need to do is pre-decide an unearthly time like 3:00 am, both proceed to reschedule dates simultaneously on OASIS. This releases their respective dates at the same time, which shows up immediately on the CS calendar on
The Dreaded MMSE (Mini-Mental Status Exam)
Breat... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Dreaded MMSE (Mini-Mental Status
Exam)
Breath in - Breath out - Breath in - Breath out and relax.......feeling the tension ease away ? :-) The MMSE is really not such a big deal as your mind and peers would make it sound like - provided you are prepared for it. Here's what you need:
First things first- When to do an MMSE ? In cases of non-focal-deficit CNS Cases like memory Loss / dementia
Shoulder examination ?
Let us look at examination... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Shoulder examination ?
Let us look at examination for a case of Shoulder Pain (People you gotta supplement this with your standard notes). Assuming that you have already washed, wiped and warmed your hands...
1. Expose both the shoulders - and examine as if you are comparing both shoulders for swelling, deformity. Especially look out for painted bruises - cause those suggest elderly abuse ( Read more:Shoulder
Be patient about the 'Patient Note' (PN)
Whew!!... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Be patient about the 'Patient Note' (PN)
Whew!! You are done with what you dreaded the most - the SP encounter ! You come out of the room relaxed and ready to write the PN - but lets bear in mind that quiet a few people have been failing on the patient note. We need to get professional and have a protocol for that one too !
First things first: To write or type the PN is the question -
Travel Resources for the "New-to-USA" IMG
I suppo... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Travel Resources
for the "New-to-USA" IMG
I suppose a lot of IMGs who come to the USA to take the Step 2 CS are newcomers to the United States. This information might be useful for such IMGs
Air Travel within the USA :
The General rules are:
a. The earlier you book (i.e. in advance), the better the deals you get
b. The wierder the time you choose to fly (the non-rush hours), the better the Read more:Travel
2006 & 2007 Step 2 CS Results Reporting Schedule..... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 2006 & 2007 Step 2 CS Results ReportingSchedule
...
There are some questions that always seem to be unanswered like "When will ECFMG be very very efficient ?". But then I let it go after I read what Felix Frankfurter had to say - "I don't like a man to be too efficient. He's likely to be not human enough! " Afterall, ECFMG is made up of humans.
They are getting better slowly :-) Starting 2006,
Counseling...
Awrite ! All our lives, haven't we ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Counseling...
Awrite ! All our lives, haven't we simply loved to give advice to anyone and whenever we get a chance (coz deep inside makes you feel kinda superior and good about yourself ;-) ) It ain't nothing different when it comes to 'counseling' your SP on the CS exam !
Difference is - you got to be fast and to the point or concise. Because after you leave the room and the SP starts marking Read more:Counseling
HOW MUCH MEDICINE DO THE STANDARDIZED PATIENTS (SP... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 HOW MUCH MEDICINE DO THE STANDARDIZED PATIENTS (SPs) KNOW ?
This is rather something for my own curiosity than readers asking about it - but think it might
interesting to know anyways. What more better source of evidence to answer this question can there be than to look up the SP employment requirements put up by the ECFMG for the SPs - found it an amusing read. You can read it here.
I was of
Female Chest Examination ??
Many exam takers ha... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Female Chest
Examination ??
Many exam takers have questions about modesty concerns while examining the chest of a female patient. Here are the facts you should know so that you don't get your SP angry and embarass yourself !
1. It is perfectly OK to expose the Bra in a female SP - - BUT politely inform the patient before proceeding to untie the gown knot present behind her neck. So, you go : Read more:Female
Carotid Bruit Auscultation: Use Bell or Diaphragm ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Carotid Bruit Auscultation: Use Bell or Diaphragm ?
This question has been a bone of contention between the USMLE 'forumers' since a long time, myself included - felt it was time to attempt to lay this ghost down to rest for good...
As many of you might have noted, various websites mention opposing views! The University California San Diego's online Practical guide to clinical medicine puts
About Visa for the Step 2 CS: The "CS Visa"
Let ... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 About Visa for the Step 2 CS: The "CS Visa"
Let us get some basics straightened out for the benefit of newbies to CS -
1. You can take the Step 2 CS on ANY visa - visitors (B1/B2), Student (F1), H1, J1, K1 L1 ..just about any legal independant or dependant visa status. All you have to do is enter the USA legally.
2. When you apply to ECFMG for the Step 2 CS exam, you may indicate that you
Will I die ?
SPs are amazing actors - and t... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Will I die ?
SPs are amazing actors
- and they are trained to asked amazing questions ! Their idea is to stump you - but your goal is to stump them and leave them without any more questions ! The idea is 'never to commit anything' - and why is that skill important ? So that you dont give any false hopes to your patients in real life and get sued and screwed !
Here are some common SP '
Which Exam Center to choose for CS?
This is anoth... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Which Exam Center
to choose
for CS?
This is another common doubt that crops up amongst most IMGs. Questions like "Do some centers have better passing rates for IMGs than others ?" " Will LA guys hate my accent ?" "I Have heard center 1 is more IMG-friendly than Center 2" .....
Lets solve this now and for all ! - Any center is fine and equally IMG-Friendly ! No Bias there.
The Human Mind gets
Yo Listen up yall ! This is 'bout Auscultation...
... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Yo Listen
up yall ! This is 'bout Auscultation...
Many of us always have doubts about how far should we go about auscultation on the Step 2 CS - especially if the case is not about Cardiac conditions or Respiratory condition. Do we auscultate in other cases at all ?
Let's keep a simple rule:
Ausculate the usual complete details in a CVS and RS case - in ALL OTHER cases, with the SP in a
A Potent Mnemonic for Impotence
LIMP P3ENIS
Whe... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A Potent
Mnemonic for Impotence
LIMP P3ENIS
When things dont stand ... it's time to use this outstanding mnemonic for data-collection in a case of Erectile Dysfunction ;-)
L-ibido changes
I-njury
M-edications (B-blockers)
P-ast medical history (HTN, DM, Vascular)
P-revious prostate Sx
P-erformance Anxiety
P-eyronie's Disease
E-rection at all? (Are you able to have an erection at all?)
Step 2 CS Study Material Poll Results : 2005 - 200... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Step 2 CS Study
Material Poll Results : 2005 - 2006
Everyone has probably heard this to the point of getting bored - "Change is the only thing that is constant". Priorities change, seasons change, realities change, moods change, girlfriends/boyfriends change and preferred study materials for Step 2 CS change too ;-)
This is how the preference patterns looked for Step 2 CS Study Materials in
Menstrual / Vaginal Bleeding : A Mnemonic
On the... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Menstrual / Vaginal Bleeding : A Mnemonic
On the first day of my Gyn-Obs clerkship rotations during the second year med-school days, as I stood behind a resident observing, she told me that the first patient was a follow-up case of a PV Bleed. I felt dumb then when I asked - "What's PV?" - he he, but yeah, I was only in my second year ...so maybe we can discount that a bit ! (PV = Per Vaginal Read more:Menstrual
STEP 2 CS Attire / Dress Code / Clothes for the Ma... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STEP 2 CS Attire
/ Dress Code / Clothes
for the Males / Guys
Royal Blue, Sky Blue, White or a Grey shirt with an appropriate sober tie and formal pants are good. Though some people wear suits, I preferred not going ballistic over dressing and I kept mine simple, comfortable yet professional. After all, your dressing is only going to matter inside the SP's room, where you have a doctor's coat
STEP 2 CS Attire / Dress /Clothes for the Females
... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STEP 2 CS Attire
/ Dress /Clothes
for the Females
This section represents a blind-spot in my accumulated knowledge regarding the USMLE Clinical Skills test & the attires I would like to recommend girls would most probably be deemed rather unprofessional ;-) Hence, I had called upon the girl readers to help me build up this section ! Here are some great tips that generous readers have contributed
GOOGLE Keywords Leading to this USMLE Step 2 CS B... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 GOOGLE KeywordsLeading
to this USMLE Step 2 CS Blog
It's kinda interesting to track down which google keywords land people on this site...Who Knows maybe you used one of these to get here. Some of them are downright amusing ;-)
'clinical exam videos'
'Is step 2 cs easy for IMGs'
'step 2 cs review'
'when to study for CS?'
'How imp is CS getting a residency'
'free online notes for USMLE
Step 2 CS Visa Experiences
It's amazing how we al... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Step 2 CS Visa Experiences
It's amazing how we all make plans, have dreams and ambitions, even though so many events that must concert together to make that happen, as based on Chance, the Luck-factor which can bend anyways without reason - good or bad.
Like, for all you know, this blog may not be operational after the year 2880 - contingent on the predicted 1950AD asteroid impacting the earth
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