For those who passed CS-note taking during the encounter

[SxRx]

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I only found one thread on this topic. So, I thought I'd get some more opinions.

When and how much note taking did you do while you were in patient rooms?
Did you take notes after almost every question or after a major section like HPI then once again after asking about past med hx, then finally after physical exam?

I'm sure ideally you should memorize all they said. But, I figured it's better to lose some points writing down info while breaking eye contact than not recalling some info.

What did you guys do and still pass?

 

[jeesapeesa]

write everything down. i asked them in the beginning of the encounter, "is it ok to write notes while we talk?".

I only found one thread on this topic. So, I thought I'd get some more opinions.

When and how much note taking did you do while you were in patient rooms?
Did you take notes after almost every question or after a major section like HPI then once again after asking about past med hx, then finally after physical exam?

I'm sure ideally you should memorize all they said. But, I figured it's better to lose some points writing down info while breaking eye contact than not recalling some info.

What did you guys do and still pass?

 

[lavodnas]

write everything down. i asked them in the beginning of the encounter, "is it ok to write notes while we talk?".

I agree, write down as much as you can. You don't want to forget things, it is not like a normal real life encounter. So stress + time constraints, might make it harder to remember everything. PAM HUGS FOSS is a life saver, learn that one.

 

[SxRx]

I agree, write down as much as you can. You don't want to forget things, it is not like a normal real life encounter. So stress + time constraints, might make it harder to remember everything. PAM HUGS FOSS is a life saver, learn that one.

Thanks. That's a lot of help. I was told different things.....like use your short term memory and try to remember most of stuff except things like packs of cigs per year, age of menarche etc... You are right. I'll just ask if I can take notes and try to write down as much as I can without feeling like I'm only looking at my paper.

I have one more question.
I noticed that if I do a neuro exam, that alone can take 3-5 minutes. 1st aid says that if you have to do a neuro exam don't do CV and lung. What was your approach? I'm thinking of just doing parts of the neuro exam.

 

[jeesapeesa]

Thanks. That's a lot of help. I was told different things.....like use your short term memory and try to remember most of stuff except things like packs of cigs per year, age of menarche etc... You are right. I'll just ask if I can take notes and try to write down as much as I can without feeling like I'm only looking at my paper.

I have one more question.
I noticed that if I do a neuro exam, that alone can take 3-5 minutes. 1st aid says that if you have to do a neuro exam don't do CV and lung. What was your approach? I'm thinking of just doing parts of the neuro exam.

if the pt is experiencing audio and visual hallucinations, has a headache and focal neurological deficits, then i would do all of the neuro exam and forget about CV and lungs unless you have time. i performed cv and lung exams on all my patients.

 

[lavodnas]

if the pt is experiencing audio and visual hallucinations, has a headache and focal neurological deficits, then i would do all of the neuro exam and forget about CV and lungs unless you have time. i performed cv and lung exams on all my patients.

I also did CV exam on all patients.

 

[SxRx]

By the way, do you introduce yourself as a medical student or a physician?

 

[jeesapeesa]

By the way, do you introduce yourself as a medical student or a physician?

"hello, i'm student physician XXX".

 

[Phur]

Doesn't matter. You can refer to yourself as doctor or student doctor or whatever. My opening was...

*knock* "Mr/Mrs. ____? Hello, my name is Dr. ______ and I'm working here in the clinic/ED today. Nice to meet you." *Shake hands and begin draping* "Before we get started is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" Answer was always No. " Ok. So let's get started. What brings you in today?"

 

[badasshairday]

Doesn't matter. You can refer to yourself as doctor or student doctor or whatever. My opening was...

*knock* "Mr/Mrs. ____? Hello, my name is Dr. ______ and I'm working here in the clinic/ED today. Nice to meet you." *Shake hands and begin draping* "Before we get started is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" Answer was always No. " Ok. So let's get started. What brings you in today?"

Wow, I swear this is such a TV show test. "My name is badasshairday, I'm not a real doctor, but I play one on TV."

I'm going to go into that test thinking that I am auditioning for Scrub's or ER or Gray's anatomy. lol.