5 days until my CS

[Captopril]

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I have my CS in 5 days...haven't studied anything other than memorizing some definitive diagnoses from First Aid (not even the entire DDx)...I haven't practiced anything at all. Any suggestion on what to do with these last few days before my exam?

 

[Abram Hoffer]

I have my CS in 5 days...haven't studied anything other than memorizing some definitive diagnoses from First Aid (not even the entire DDx)...I haven't practiced anything at all. Any suggestion on what to do with these last few days before my exam?

Practice. Get the timing down. Read through FA so you understand the format. Write a practice note. Decide if you're using gloves or washing hands/writing vs typing notes.

 

[ranmyaku]

If you had clinical skills OSCE's during your M1-M4 years then I don't think you need to really study anything. Maybe look over first aid a little. If you have never done OSCE's before you might want to study a little harder, and at least come up with a step by step plan of what you are going to do. The CS exam is about efficiency. I wouldn't worry about DDx, if you are an American grad and at least did reasonably well in 3rd year, then you can come up with 5 DDx for just about anything.

 

[Abram Hoffer]

If you had clinical skills OSCE's during your M1-M4 years then I don't think you need to really study anything. Maybe look over first aid a little. If you have never done OSCE's before you might want to study a little harder, and at least come up with a step by step plan of what you are going to do. The CS exam is about efficiency. I wouldn't worry about DDx, if you are an American grad and at least did reasonably well in 3rd year, then you can come up with 5 DDx for just about anything.

If you're not an American grad, you may not even know what a differential diagnosis is... 🙄 some people never cease to amaze me. Yeah, if you are an AMG, please, don't ever be like this dude.

 

[rox]

I'd say read thru FA. Generate the DDx ahead, take a relatively thorough history, be quick with your physical exam and don't do full exam, never ignore any patient's question or concern. At the end, summarize to the patient your history, physical exam, DDx, work up, ask them for any concerns and tell them that you need to see them again when you have the results back. Practice a couple of times on PN to make sure to you can make it in 10 minutes. Good luck.

 

[Captopril]

Thanks alot guys...I'll start practicing the timings and perfecting my "concerned yet in-control" face. BTW I am a foreign grad, but I've been known to make a DDx or 2 in my day.

 

[celestbleu]

when you are standing in front of the door reading CC, vitals, etc. Write down the pt name. Cause as soon as i walked in, i forgot! 😀

 

[Captopril]

celest, thanks for the advice but i just had my CS yesterday. fortunately i did exactly what you are saying...i'd write down the last name and any VS that was weird. when it was time to counsel, i'd pick up my clipboard and quickly glance at the name before i started with "Mrs. X, there's a number of possible causes for the symptoms you are having blah blah blah..."

 

[anesthesiarocks]

I have my CS in 5 days...haven't studied anything other than memorizing some definitive diagnoses from First Aid (not even the entire DDx)...I haven't practiced anything at all. Any suggestion on what to do with these last few days before my exam?

drink......and hope you get an easy batch of patients. You need to develop a routine and gameplan for each of the major types of cases