How important is general pathology for step 2 Ck?

[DaMan00]

I guess the question says it all. How important is general pathology topics like cell injury and inflammation and others for the step 2 ck? Do you think it's important to know these in order to do well on step 2 ck?

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[ASAPRocky]

minimal importance.

 

[DaMan00]

Thanks. I was actually thinking of reading the general pathology sections in BRS pathology.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Thanks. I was actually thinking of reading the general pathology sections in BRS pathology.

Step 2 is memorization. DO NOT reread anything from Step 1. Stick to the material in the preparation courses, books, and Qbanks that are designed to get you scoring on the Step 2. Don't deviate. Don't create your own study plan. Use what has worked before you.

That being said, I personally believe the thing that separates good physicians from great ones is pathophysiology. So, if you want to learn for yourself, go right ahead. NOT FOR THE STEP 2!

 

[Hitman1187]

my seniors have asked me to read first aid of step1 again , they said there was alot of pathophysiology qs in step 2 ........🙂

even uw for step 2 has alot of them

 

[Transposony]

I have not taken the Step II CK and I have not even started studying for it.

However, I do find it very strange that in the Step 2 CK curriculum mechanisms of disease are mentioned for every organ system but nobody seems to advocate re-reading FA Step 1 and/or Rapid Review.

I just can't make sense of this.

Well....... organ system pathophysiology is important for Step 2 CK and Goljan RR Path is designed for both Step 1 & Step 2 CK.
Having said that, the Step 2 CK review books & Q Banks are sufficient for CK prep unless you are aiming for really high score.
My advice--First do the Step 2 material and then if you have time after the revision go for the selected Step 1 topics like pharmacology, .inborn errors of metabolism, bit of micro etc.

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

If you mean pathways of apoptosis... viewing histopathology slides... looking at Dohle bodies in neutrophils...

all that stuff is NOT important.

On my real test, there was a slide of osteosarcoma (but the vignette and the XR very clearly gave you the answer)

There was also a blood smear of megaloblastic anemia (multilobed neutrophils) with the same old old lady who only drinks tea and eats crackers vignette

bottom line, no need to review Step 1 material whatsoever.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Even if you want a 'really high score', you don't need to do this. I ended up with a 249 and I did no specific step 1 studying. I don't think reviewing that material would've earned me any further points.

 

[dally1025]

I had 5-6 path questions/slides which did not give away the diagnosis in the question stem or the answer was describing the path of this disease process. I could narrow it down to 2-3 but the answers weren't obvious. I did look at a couple of sections of first aid for step 1 (micro, some of the vitamins deficiencies that I needed to refresh my memory about) because I think they're well organized. I wouldn't recommend reading through all of step 1 stuff though as it just won't be a good use of your time. I thought my test was pretty step 1 heavy and I wished I had read more from step 1 while I was taking it. However, it was one test on one day so I don't think I'd advise people to go back to step 1 stuff for step 2 other than a quick review on certain things.