First Aid for CS: Anyone else skeptical?

[JulianCrane]

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So, I've been looking through this book and many times I find that the differentials they provide for some of the cases, while accurate, are at times stretches of the information. Moreover, some of the things they include in their work-up list are some things I've never even heard of before or would never consider. Also, for those that have taken CS, how extensive of a physical exam do you have to do. In First Aid, the physical exams they perform (aka, that are on the checklists) are rather extensive and I don't see how you can do all the things they outline in 15 minutes. Hmm. . .

 

[jdh71]

In the end, first aid, I thought was prety good. Especially for writing the note, which has been triping more than a few folks. Use the note style in First Aid. The exam . . . you will pretty much need to know the appropriate exams - it's all a checklist - get those points. Finally, I was taught (after failing CS the first time) that you need to have your ROS down cold. You won't do the whole things for every case, but it gives you pertinent positives and pertinent negatives that you put in the note - more points on note and wth the patient. Last bit of advice, schedule early - just in case you fail - then you have time to repeat if you do so that scores can be on the match. (More good students than you might think have failed this thing)

 

[hautboiskid]

I am absolutely in agreement with jdh. I also failed the CS the first time (failed the ICE portion). I would advise you to be able to rattle off a ROS very quickly. You won't go through an entire ROS each time, but just knowing the major questions cold for each organ system can be very helpful.

I would also add my advice to take it early. I was horrified when I got my failing score in March. Now I won't get my retake score back until June 20th, which as you can imagine, has both me and my residency program a little nervous. The slow reporting for this exam is atrocious.

 

[JulianCrane]

How much studying did you all devote to this exam? I'm just gonna go through First Aid for the 2 weeks before the exam.

 

[Medical123]

I scheduled the test early last year (for October) and my scores were in by early December, which made most of the residency programs that I applied to very happy. I do agree with the others. Take the test early so that if you should fail it, you will have time to reschedule and retake. This test is a pain to schedule if you haven't done so already.

I read through First Aid a couple of times the week or two before the test. I was also on an E-Med rotation when I took the exam and I tried to use my time in the ER to practice physical exam skills and history taking as a way to study for the blasted thing.

 

[jdh71]

How much studying did you all devote to this exam? I'm just gonna go through First Aid for the 2 weeks before the exam.

You don't need a ton of time if you are efficient. Remember - NO ONE ACTUALLY WATCHES YOUR EXAM - you are graded by check boxes. The simmies have a sheet where they mark that you asked about chest pain or listened to the heart in four locations for instance. Note graders - SAME THING - check boxes . . . add anything to your note that you forgot during the history and exam (no one watches your exam). Use the note format found in First Aid. Two weeks in plenty of time - one week is enough if you have the whole time to devote to the test - hell, you probably really need 3 SOLID (8hr days) days if you've already got a decent differential for most medical complaints and your physical isn't crap.

 

[mikedc813]

If you did half way decently during 3rd year CS shouldn't be a problem. I studied for maybe 2-3 days and studied differentials for common problems presented in the First Aid CS book and thought the exam was a breeze. 2 weeks is ridiculously overkill.

 

[step2csblows]

If your clinical skills are great, study for a week or less. If your clinical skills blow, study for 1-3 weeks.

Either way, use First Aid and know the questions to ask for each symptom, the differentials, and the workups cold.

Remember, this is a $1000 test that is difficult to schedule. Don't look past the test and be forced to retake the damn thing.

 

[JulianCrane]

So, I took Step 2 CS last week, and the test was not that terrible. A few of the actors were hilariously bad and I just don't understand how these people are responsible for grading. I wrote all my patient notes, paying attention to neatness and using all the space on the paper possible. Counseled all my patients as need, offered the glass of water, draped, washed hands, etc. A couple of the rooms I know I had no clue as to what the differential was and what I should be investigating. Oh well. . .I really hope I didn't fail this exam, but knowing my luck. . .well, we'll see. Sheesh.

 

[step2csblows]

It's very hard to know how you did. On my second try, I passed but I completely blew one diagnosis. However, I did reasonably well on much of it and probably did not make any systematic errors. That's what you want to avoid.

 

[QuinnB]

How much studying did you all devote to this exam? I'm just gonna go through First Aid for the 2 weeks before the exam.

I was fortunate enough to be able to schedule the exam during one of the few days we had off before fourth year started. I had literally just finished 3rd year and therefore studied for about 10 hours the night before the exam in my hotel room. I was also fortunate enough to pass the exam.

My recommendation is not to do this. I was unpleasantly surprised by the exam and how much I forgot. If you very recently finished third year, just read step CS and memorize the differentials, work ups and key things to say. You could easily do this in 3-5 days of devoted studying.

 

[Long Dong]

How much studying did you all devote to this exam? I'm just gonna go through First Aid for the 2 weeks before the exam.

Took the bad boy back in March just got the Pass today. I think 2 weeks is overkill. Like others have said 2-3 days if you did decent in third year, and I had just taken CK about 2 months prior, maybe that helped alot not sure though. All I read was the patient encounter stuff from FA, like what questions to ask, always drap the Pt, don't continue exam if you cause pain stuff like that, I think is the most important stuff. The DDx I just guessed and threw a laundry list down, same for labs/test to order. Good luck all.

 

[Spazz]

Anyone hear about a practice CD from the nbme folks for CS? I read it in First Aid that they'd send you one after you register. Haven't seen it in the mail.