Passing Step 2 CS - straight-forward plan

[drake19]

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I took and passed step 2 CS a while ago in Jan in Chicago
US-MG, would say clinical skills are average to above average
Took about 2 weeks to study but was practicing my "step 2 CS script" throughout summer electives

1) Practice, practice, practice - no substitute
-practice using their interactive note - there is a word limit on the patient note which I found out on test day - this word limit drove me crazy as I always reached it and was scrambling to fix my note
-practiced by myself with first aid: yes this is sad but this is how I did it....I would ask questions and see if the question was in first aid - if it was would write the answer on my piece of paper

2) Have a script for your patient note and physical exam and memorize it so you do the same thing everytime when you practice.
-Try not to go off script when you practice, I was really guilty of this because following a script was not natural for me.....but make sure you follow your script when you practice the whole point of practice is so you become consistent


3) books to use. I used FIrst Aid and UWORLD step 2 CS
-First Aid covered 90% of the cases that I had
-UWORLD covered the other 10%
-the reason is that on the real deal I had some cases that were a combination of 2 cheif complaints or the CC was very very vague
-UWORLD has several cases where the CC are combined - i.e. chest pain and SOB or vomiting and abdominal pain
-I promise you that you will get several vague cases where the SP is constantly saying no to everything and this is where you script comes in handy for ROS so you can remember all the pertinnet questions to aks

4) practice, practice, practice and read over cases

 

[Fefe23]

I totally agree with you. I took my exam late Jan and I found out I passed. The key of this exam is to practice and have confidence. Are you studying for CK drake19?

 

[Phloston]

I took and passed step 2 CS a while ago in Jan in Chicago
US-MG, would say clinical skills are average to above average
Took about 2 weeks to study but was practicing my "step 2 CS script" throughout summer electives

1) Practice, practice, practice - no substitute
-practice using their interactive note - there is a word limit on the patient note which I found out on test day - this word limit drove me crazy as I always reached it and was scrambling to fix my note
-practiced by myself with first aid: yes this is sad but this is how I did it....I would ask questions and see if the question was in first aid - if it was would write the answer on my piece of paper

2) Have a script for your patient note and physical exam and memorize it so you do the same thing everytime when you practice.
-Try not to go off script when you practice, I was really guilty of this because following a script was not natural for me.....but make sure you follow your script when you practice the whole point of practice is so you become consistent


3) books to use. I used FIrst Aid and UWORLD step 2 CS
-First Aid covered 90% of the cases that I had
-UWORLD covered the other 10%
-the reason is that on the real deal I had some cases that were a combination of 2 cheif complaints or the CC was very very vague
-UWORLD has several cases where the CC are combined - i.e. chest pain and SOB or vomiting and abdominal pain
-I promise you that you will get several vague cases where the SP is constantly saying no to everything and this is where you script comes in handy for ROS so you can remember all the pertinnet questions to aks

4) practice, practice, practice and read over cases

I totally agree with you. I took my exam late Jan and I found out I passed. The key of this exam is to practice and have confidence. Are you studying for CK drake19?

Terrified of this exam (taking it in May) because I hate "acting." Going through FA 2CS now. Do you feel UWorld is genuinely worth going through? And it seems like you went through everything really fast; were you just cursory?

 

[drake19]

Terrified of this exam (taking it in May) because I hate "acting." Going through FA 2CS now. Do you feel UWorld is genuinely worth going through? And it seems like you went through everything really fast; were you just cursory?

TO answer your question I think UWORLD mainly helped to make me more confident. The greatest value was probably helping with my differentials, seeing different cases, and opening my mind to the possibility that they could ask random cases. For example the CC-combo cases (I only got 1-2 on the real deal). However I never got "drug refill (HIV, DM, HTN) cases" or "health-fair physical" or "straight-up only counseling" on my real deal but UWORLD helped me realize that I might have to prepare for it.

One caveat UWORLD patient notes - some I found were incomplete and just horrible.

i went through FA sporadically throughout 3rd year and used it for 1-2 weeks to practice for my schools 3rd year final OSCE exam. For the 2 weeks was rushing to get through FA, didn't help that I had residency interviews in December. Did UWORLD cases on the airplane

Like I said 90% of my cases were from FA but 10% were a combination of CC (i.e. chest pain and SOB, etc.) that I saw in UWORLD

last pro-tip I'd like to add besides practice practice practice (Allen Iverson), and script script script, is form a differential before you enter room so you can tailor your script and ROS

 

[kash_711]

Uworld was good for a few more cases (ie DD) if you've exhausted the cases in FA, but is not a difference maker.

The difference between my IMG friends and me who failed and passed I would say is a little "acting." Empathy, asking the patient multiple times if they understood everything you said, if they have any questions, small talk when washing hands, and I would not use 1 of the Uworld Methods where one starts by getting the patients PMH, ROS, before getting into the CC based on the results of a few colleagues.

 

[Phloston]

TO answer your question I think UWORLD mainly helped to make me more confident. The greatest value was probably helping with my differentials, seeing different cases, and opening my mind to the possibility that they could ask random cases. For example the CC-combo cases (I only got 1-2 on the real deal). However I never got "drug refill (HIV, DM, HTN) cases" or "health-fair physical" or "straight-up only counseling" on my real deal but UWORLD helped me realize that I might have to prepare for it.

One caveat UWORLD patient notes - some I found were incomplete and just horrible.

i went through FA sporadically throughout 3rd year and used it for 1-2 weeks to practice for my schools 3rd year final OSCE exam. For the 2 weeks was rushing to get through FA, didn't help that I had residency interviews in December. Did UWORLD cases on the airplane

Like I said 90% of my cases were from FA but 10% were a combination of CC (i.e. chest pain and SOB, etc.) that I saw in UWORLD

last pro-tip I'd like to add besides practice practice practice (Allen Iverson), and script script script, is form a differential before you enter room so you can tailor your script and ROS

Uworld was good for a few more cases (ie DD) if you've exhausted the cases in FA, but is not a difference maker.

The difference between my IMG friends and me who failed and passed I would say is a little "acting." Empathy, asking the patient multiple times if they understood everything you said, if they have any questions, small talk when washing hands, and I would not use 1 of the Uworld Methods where one starts by getting the patients PMH, ROS, before getting into the CC based on the results of a few colleagues.

Both of you, thank you for taking the time to give your input. That's all very helpful.

 

[thehundredthone]

Both of you, thank you for taking the time to give your input. That's all very helpful.

IMO a good note is going to do you a world of good on this exam, @Phloston . Practice writing a few notes in the simulation software using the format that FA gives you. Learning to fit information within the word limit is key.

Outside of that, don't sweat this exam. You don't have to act as much as you have to be human. Professional doesn't mean formal and blunt. Make small talk if the moment warrants it, display real empathy as you would to a real patient, and be sure to concisely explain what you're doing on the physical exam.

Like the poster you quoted mentioned, the CC and HOPI are most important, no point having PMH/ROS without a CC and its relevant history.

 

[Fefe23]

Terrified of this exam (taking it in May) because I hate "acting." Going through FA 2CS now. Do you feel UWorld is genuinely worth going through? And it seems like you went through everything really fast; were you just cursory?

You will do great.. as others mention it is more of being empathic then acting. Trust me the SPs are good and they will make you feel that they really have the condition at least that is my experience so do not think of it as acting. The tips I can give you is write down possible DD before you go in the room, that can help you ask more questions and rule out DD also it helped me with patient notes. I also think that the mini cases are good to look at. do not just focus on the 43 cases in first aid. look at the mini cases. Like some one mention 90% FA and 10% uworld.

 

[drake19]

Both of you, thank you for taking the time to give your input. That's all very helpful.

Last pro-tip

GET GLOVES don't wash your hands - I would get gloves and ask if patient was allergic to latex to be courteous
Gloves saves time at least 10-20 seconds since the running water can be weak like a BPH patient at the exam center

 

[Fefe23]

They do ask HTN and DM cases. In some cases the patient has say no to almost all your question and you are left with one DD. Do not think it is Abnormal to have one DD. I really enjoyed washing my hands because it allows you to gain your composure as well as allows you to think about PE and what systems you are going to exam. Everybody is different just find what works best for you.

 

[kash_711]

Note you can use purell, I liked that the most.

 

[bullous_pemphigoid]

I took and passed step 2 CS a while ago in Jan in Chicago
US-MG, would say clinical skills are average to above average
Took about 2 weeks to study but was practicing my "step 2 CS script" throughout summer electives

1) Practice, practice, practice - no substitute
-practice using their interactive note - there is a word limit on the patient note which I found out on test day - this word limit drove me crazy as I always reached it and was scrambling to fix my note
-practiced by myself with first aid: yes this is sad but this is how I did it....I would ask questions and see if the question was in first aid - if it was would write the answer on my piece of paper

2) Have a script for your patient note and physical exam and memorize it so you do the same thing everytime when you practice.
-Try not to go off script when you practice, I was really guilty of this because following a script was not natural for me.....but make sure you follow your script when you practice the whole point of practice is so you become consistent


3) books to use. I used FIrst Aid and UWORLD step 2 CS
-First Aid covered 90% of the cases that I had
-UWORLD covered the other 10%
-the reason is that on the real deal I had some cases that were a combination of 2 cheif complaints or the CC was very very vague
-UWORLD has several cases where the CC are combined - i.e. chest pain and SOB or vomiting and abdominal pain
-I promise you that you will get several vague cases where the SP is constantly saying no to everything and this is where you script comes in handy for ROS so you can remember all the pertinnet questions to aks

4) practice, practice, practice and read over cases

You have posted this 3 yrs ago. And your #2 rule will stay actual for many many many yrs.