For Step 1 how much is asked about workup of patients and diagnostic tests?

[drmedstudent]

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I know step 1 is heavily focused on diagnosis and treatment.

But I was wondering how much do they ask about how to manage patients...

ie. should an MRI be done first as opposed to CT scan, or X ray or what screening tests need to be done first (with x sensitivity and y specificity), etc

I'm under the impression that this is Step 2 stuff, but Goljan's Rapid Review has lot of this. Any idea about how many such questions they ask in Step 1, or if it is high yield?

 

[FutureInternist]

I know step 1 is heavily focused on diagnosis and treatment.

But I was wondering how much do they ask about how to manage patients...

ie. should an MRI be done first as opposed to CT scan, or X ray or what screening tests need to be done first (with x sensitivity and y specificity), etc

I'm under the impression that this is Step 2 stuff, but Goljan's Rapid Review has lot of this. Any idea about how many such questions they ask in Step 1, or if it is high yield?

Ummm....Not really. Step 1 is all about MOAs of drugs, BioChem pathways, Anatomy etc. You get as far as diagnosis but very little treatment, and no "What is the next best step"....those types of Qs are Step 2.
Do some practice Qs and you will see what type of Qs you are going to get.

Good Luck

 

[vicinihil]

Agreed. Nothing is really asked about management which is for Step 2 and your shelfs. Even treatment is rarely asked except some very basic ones like DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN IN A KID WITH A VIRAL ILLNESS and which abx to give for certain infections (Linezolid for VRE).

Diagnosis and side effects of certain drugs are definitely the largest portions of the test.

 

[username456789]

Diagnosis and side effects of certain drugs are definitely the largest portions of the test.

Which is unfortunate, given the poor quality of Pharm teaching at my school.

 

[illixir]

I hate side effects... such an annoying way to test clinical knowledge.