1
14022
I took Step 2 CS in Chicago this week and will share my experience.
In terms of reviewing, I took Step 2 CK a few weeks ago so a lot of that info was still in my head. I read First Aid for Step 2 CS during the week before the exam. The book is excellent for reviewing and I strongly recommend it. I would say the majority of what I saw on test day was covered well in the review book.
The test consisted of 12 stations. 5 patients and then a 30 min. break with lunch provided, 4 patients and a 15 min break, then 3 patients. The first nine patients were easy. They covered simple problems and the history and physical exam provided a lot of info to come up with a good differential. The last 3 patients that I had were all very difficult cases with a vague complaint and no significant history to allow a good differential. I spent so much time asking questions that I had very little time for the exam and counseling. On top of that, because the symptom was vague, I really didnt even know which specific physical exam manuevers were appropriate. Apparently only 10 patients are graded so I am hoping that the two that were not graded were among the final two.
I wore gloves with all patients, because I had a healing burn wound on my finger. They tell you in the orientation that if you have visible cuts or wounds on your hands to wear gloves.
Most of the SP's were really good, although there were a few that seemed a bit inexperienced. For example, there was one SP whose challenge questions was "Do you think I have [disease X]?" She asked me this early in the encounter. But then at the end of the encounter I asked if she had any questions, and she said "Did I already ask you if you thought I had [disease X]?" As she finished the question the announcement for the end of the encounter sounded so I didnt get to reanswer the question or at least tell her that she already asked it. So I hope she remembers and I get credit for the answer. I dont even know who was grading us, the SP or the people behind the mirrored glass?
I was nervous when I showed up to the exam but I found myself sitting in the registration room thinking that statistically, of the 24 people here, 3 or 4 should fail. So I tried to find the 3 or 4 people more likely to fail than I. I immediately found the person wearing white sneakers and short sleeve polo shirt without a tie. Then I found the person that forgot a white coat and stethoscope. During the lunch break, I found the annoying and obnoxius guy talking loudly and candidly about some of his memorable pelvic exams he performed during his ob/gyn rotation and how all pregnant women have attitudes. Every once in a while, I would hear a person walk into the exam room and call the patient by their first name. So I figured there were enough people in the room to make the likelihood of me psssing pretty good.
So the moral of my story...the test is challenging but you will be well served by taking the time to go through First Aid, especially the "challenging question" sections and the 27 cases in the last half of the book.
In terms of reviewing, I took Step 2 CK a few weeks ago so a lot of that info was still in my head. I read First Aid for Step 2 CS during the week before the exam. The book is excellent for reviewing and I strongly recommend it. I would say the majority of what I saw on test day was covered well in the review book.
The test consisted of 12 stations. 5 patients and then a 30 min. break with lunch provided, 4 patients and a 15 min break, then 3 patients. The first nine patients were easy. They covered simple problems and the history and physical exam provided a lot of info to come up with a good differential. The last 3 patients that I had were all very difficult cases with a vague complaint and no significant history to allow a good differential. I spent so much time asking questions that I had very little time for the exam and counseling. On top of that, because the symptom was vague, I really didnt even know which specific physical exam manuevers were appropriate. Apparently only 10 patients are graded so I am hoping that the two that were not graded were among the final two.
I wore gloves with all patients, because I had a healing burn wound on my finger. They tell you in the orientation that if you have visible cuts or wounds on your hands to wear gloves.
Most of the SP's were really good, although there were a few that seemed a bit inexperienced. For example, there was one SP whose challenge questions was "Do you think I have [disease X]?" She asked me this early in the encounter. But then at the end of the encounter I asked if she had any questions, and she said "Did I already ask you if you thought I had [disease X]?" As she finished the question the announcement for the end of the encounter sounded so I didnt get to reanswer the question or at least tell her that she already asked it. So I hope she remembers and I get credit for the answer. I dont even know who was grading us, the SP or the people behind the mirrored glass?
I was nervous when I showed up to the exam but I found myself sitting in the registration room thinking that statistically, of the 24 people here, 3 or 4 should fail. So I tried to find the 3 or 4 people more likely to fail than I. I immediately found the person wearing white sneakers and short sleeve polo shirt without a tie. Then I found the person that forgot a white coat and stethoscope. During the lunch break, I found the annoying and obnoxius guy talking loudly and candidly about some of his memorable pelvic exams he performed during his ob/gyn rotation and how all pregnant women have attitudes. Every once in a while, I would hear a person walk into the exam room and call the patient by their first name. So I figured there were enough people in the room to make the likelihood of me psssing pretty good.
So the moral of my story...the test is challenging but you will be well served by taking the time to go through First Aid, especially the "challenging question" sections and the 27 cases in the last half of the book.