buzzwords?

[coconut lime]

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i heard some M3's say that the "buzzwords for boards" is an obsolete concept and that the USMLE doesn't actually test that way anymore. is this true?

 

[Idiopathic]

Buzzwords is practical I think, but only as a before-the-test reference. When they ask you "what is the MC cause of death in Px with cirrhosis" (bleeding from esophageal varices) or what not, it should be understood that the boards will not present you with the question "what is the MC cause of death...(etc)", it will give you a clinical picture of a guy in cirrhosis with appropriate liver enzymes, splenomegaly, edema, and perhaps ask if this Px presented with a life-threatening bleed, where would it likely arise (left coronary vein?). This may be too much of a reach, but this type of third-order question is what I expect.

So to answer your question, if you can go through buzzwords and answer the questions in it, and be able to relate each thing to a disease process, you will do great, I think. But, I am preparing also, so I could be wrong.

 

[VentdependenT]

Use it for its mnemonics (D CUPS DAKRI for retroperitoneal structures) if you own it. Otherwise I see no reason to purchase this book as the USMLE avoids buzzwords like the plague.

 

[Cristagali]

I have Buzzwords for the Boards. Like the earlier post, it makes for interesting reading. We would use it when in the clinic and we had some down time to just ask each other questions, like a Trivial Pursuit game. But I don't think it will translate into much help for the current USMLE. Put it on the shelf or sell it to an underclassman! ha! ciao!

 

[Gibby Haynes]

I agree, the USMLE avoids buzzwords like the plague. There was only one buzzword on my test and it was "cherry red macula". This question was a dead give away, and thats why you won't find too many buzzwords.

 

[Homunculus]

Originally posted by Idiopathic
Buzzwords is practical I think, but only as a before-the-test reference. When they ask you "what is the MC cause of death in Px with cirrhosis" (bleeding from esophageal varices) or what not, it should be understood that the boards will not present you with the question "what is the MC cause of death...(etc)", it will give you a clinical picture of a guy in cirrhosis with appropriate liver enzymes, splenomegaly, edema, and perhaps ask if this Px presented with a life-threatening bleed, where would it likely arise (left coronary vein?). This may be too much of a reach, but this type of third-order question is what I expect.

So to answer your question, if you can go through buzzwords and answer the questions in it, and be able to relate each thing to a disease process, you will do great, I think. But, I am preparing also, so I could be wrong.

i agree with idiopathic. buzzwords is a great book for bathroom reading and for a quick hitting review, but i wouldn't rely on it to be a mainstay of your studying. if i remember correctly, it's not *just* buzzwords and diagnoses, i think there are a few sections with criterias, symptoms, most commons, etc that in some cases will help you on boards.

either way, step I is less about diagnosing and more about pathology. meaning they won't ask you what the diagnosis is, they'll ask you *why* the disease occurs. step II is more diagnosis/treatment (and much easier IMO)

 

[coconut lime]

thanks for the advice, guys. i dont think i'll end up buying this book after all.