Rotations and Step 2

[GuP]

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I was wondering what rotation would me more benificial to have before taking step 2 - OB-GYN or Peds? Due to my schedule, I may only be able to fit only one of these in before I take the step.

Also, what is the consensus on taking step 2 before all of your cores are done? I can potentially take step 2 after only having done medicine, surg and psych. Is that a no-no or will I be ok if I just study from books for the peds, ob-gyn and family?

 

[purplefish]

Don't know the ans to all your q's but i would pick OB becuase it includes some peds issues... you'll cover some of both.

 

[QuinnB]

I have yet to take step 2, but i've heard that there is a surprising amount of ob/gyn on average (some tests or less ob/gyn dense than others)...also, like the previous poster mentioned, you'll get a small amt of peds in ob/gyn but totally insufficient amts of ob/gyn in peds.

 

[deleted109597]

You are taking it during 3rd year?
Just wait for it, unless you are doing the SF match.

 

[GuP]

Can anyone else comment on the peds vs ob for the boards?

 

[Pox in a box]

Both are high yield, but in my opinion, Ob-Gyn is very limited in scope and can be crammed if necessary.

 

[Entei]

Is your question which rotation (peds vs. OB) is better to take the month immediately before Step 2, or which of these two rotations should I make sure I do at some point before I take Step 2?

The answer to the first question is without a doubt peds. You'll have much more time to read and to study on peds than on, say, L&D.

The answer to the second question is that it doesn't really matter. There's a lot of OB, but there's also a significant amount of peds. Take whichever you're less comfortable cramming.

But I think the best strategy is to take Step 2 after you've done all your core rotations.

 

[GuP]

Well, in my particular situation, it just so happens that one of these will be the last rotation I take before taking step 2 about 4-6 weeks later. Haven't gotten a clear cut answer - some people are saying peds b/c you have more to study, while others are saying ob b/c there is more of it on the boards.

Any more opinions?

 

[Tired]

My 2 cents:

I vote Peds. The material is more unique than Ob/Gyn, and harder to study for independently. I found that a lot of Ob/Gyn was just learning treatment algorithms, and the number of conditions dealt with was substantially less than Peds.

Guess what I'm really trying to say was that I found Peds much more difficult than Ob, and so having Peds fresh in your head may be an advantage. I'm not putting down Ob at all, I'm just saying that from my student perspective, it was a lot easier to learn what we're expected to know.

Also, while I know everyone's exam is different, I sure felt like there was a lot more Peds in Step 2 than Ob/Gyn.

 

[Bertelman]

Well, in my particular situation, it just so happens that one of these will be the last rotation I take before taking step 2 about 4-6 weeks later. Haven't gotten a clear cut answer - some people are saying peds b/c you have more to study, while others are saying ob b/c there is more of it on the boards.

Any more opinions?

And I think we're still not clear on your schedule. Are you saying that you will have to take Step 2 WITHOUT having taken either 1) OB or 2) Peds?

btw, you likely won't get a clear-cut answer. If I had to choose, I would do Peds the month before. You would certainly have more time to cram in OB studying at home during a Peds rotation than vice-versa. I also agree with what Tired said. He must be in a good mood today. 😉

 

[GuP]

Bertelman - Yes you are right - I will have to take it w/o one of the two.

Thanks for your input guys. It's kinda the opposite of what I expected - most people said that OB is the big elephant on step 2 and it is so different from every other rotation. Also, I kinda thought that peds is like internal medicine but just with smaller people.

I am still debating on this issue - any more input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bertelman]

Also, I kinda thought that peds is like internal medicine but just with smaller people.

For you, I'd definitely take Peds.