The patient who returns

[avicena25]

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Question: There is a possibility in the CS. It is a "patient" who returns for follow up of tests results.
Since we are not supposed to prescribe TX, what are we supposed to tell this "patient" about the results ?

 

[guy_incognito]

Hmm, I had not heard of this scenario. However, I don't think they would really be looking for you to instigate treatment. Instead it would probably be more of a test about patient communication skills. Maybe it would test your ability to break bad news, or describe a disease state. It also may just be the results of a test that don't give any specific diagnosis, and will still require you to do a further work-up. Any way the case pans out, I'd suspect it would still be about communication and developing a plan of action for the future.

 

[avicena25]

Thank you for your answer. I had this unpleasant experience when I took the test. I didn't excpect such a thing and it threw me totally out of balance.
So far, I haven't found any explanation for this case. In the frikking booklet it mentions the case, but provides no explanation concerning how to handle it

 

[Pox in a box]

Thank you for your answer. I had this unpleasant experience when I took the test. I didn't excpect such a thing and it threw me totally out of balance.
So far, I haven't found any explanation for this case. In the frikking booklet it mentions the case, but provides no explanation concerning how to handle it

What "frikking booklet"?

 

[avicena25]

I meant the booklet issued by the USMLE, titled Step 2 Clinical Skills, Content Description and General Information. You can download it from the website

 

[emtji]

I meant the booklet issued by the USMLE, titled Step 2 Clinical Skills, Content Description and General Information. You can download it from the website

what you could do:

you'll be given lab results or something at the door. go in, introduce yourself like you always do, and say something to the effect of "i have the results of xxxx from last week, but i wanted to get an idea of what's going on". do a history and physical (if a physical is required). then give the results. then offer a differential and further workup (if necessary). then provide counseling.