Take psychiatry prior to Step 2?

[Flipchick]

Hey everyone! I'm a newbie here, and I have a question to those who have experience with Step 2: I have an option to take it either before my Psych rotation or afterwards, and I'm unsure as to how much of it I'll need for the test. I'd really like to get it over with, but I'm worried that I might miss out by not taking Psych. Whatcha all think? Thanks in advance.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ortho2003]

there is very little psych on the exam and your score doesn't matter for residency. Take the test, pass it, and move on. I took step 2 before I finished 3rd year, because I didn't want it hanging over my head. Man was it nice to not have to worry about it at all when I was going through interviewing and the match.

 

[mary]

The general consensus at my school seems to be that Psych is NOT at all necessary to take step 2. We have a pretty good psych course in the M2 year and no one seems to think we need more than that for the test, but I have not taken it yet. I think the most important thing is not to wait too long after you finish your core clerkships so you don't have to relearn everthing. I agree that getting step 2 over with before interviewing is a great idea, as long as you don't score too low and screw yourself. if you have great step 1 scores, you may not want to risk it.

What books did you use, ortho2003? I've heard good things about Boards and Wards and First Aid for Step 2?

Thanks and good luck!

 

[Flipchick]

Thanks for the replies. I guess what I'm most worried about is that I won't know all the psych drugs for the boards. I think I'd be able to distinguish the disorders by just studying them, but the pharm? Yuck!😕

 

[DrQuinn]

On Step 2, there isn't much psych. The drugs aren't too bad, just try to organize them (pretty much just know your generic benzo's, your typical and atypical antipsyx, ssri's and tca's. Very little on MAO's, just know the reasons to not use MAOIs.

Know the personality types too.

Q

 

[Big Lebowski]

The psych questions on the exam are pretty straightforward. Basically you are giving a diagnosis (ie. Bipolar, Adjustment D/O) or you need to know the "major" side effects of meds (ie. Clozaril - agranulocytosis). I think if you know the basics, you'll be in good shape. There were not a lot of psych questions when I took the test.

I do not agree with ortho2003 in that your step 2 score doesn't matter. It may matter for you depending on when you take it and how well you did on step 1. Also, some programs consider step 2 scores when applying for fellowships. So do as well as you can.