typing patient note in CS exam

[Pollicis]

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Hi,
Can someone please tell me how this works - when you type the patient note, do you get a set number of lines or a set number of Characters or a set number of words. I tried typing a note from the software in the orientation CD, and it conveniently differs from the real thing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pollicis]

ok, I'm happy to answer my own question. having seen the orientation video, it appears that there is no set word/character count that is revealed. Instead, you see a progress bar as you type.

Could someone confirm this?

Thanks.

 

[LaurieB]

That is true. I would say that the progress bar was prob about 2/3rds full when I had filled the visual space of the box.

 

[missbonnie]

Yes just a progreess bar. It's VERY little space..for the hpi, meds, allergies, social, family history...so don't be wordy and use abbreviations!

 

[step2csblows]

Actually, since the progress bar forces you to limit your note to a certain length, it helps you. If you write it there's no gauge as to how long it should be. The Step 2 CS bozos help you by giving you a limit that you have to stick to. It kind of is suggestive of a proper note that they expect.

So type the note and use the bar to your advantage! I failed the first time writing my note, whereas the second time I typed it and passed. I don't think it was the difference, since I changed other things, but it could have been. 👍

 

[megsMS]

I honestly believe that typing the note makes a big difference. My husband failed one time, didn't type the note, and the second time he did a lot of things differently aka more questions, more exam, and followed the usmle world format study guide for CS, and still hand-wrote his note. We just found out he failed again. THIS IS SUCH A STUPID TEST. We honestly do not know of anything else he can change besides typing his note next time- I know I'm biased but he is an above average student and passed all of the standardized patient tests at our school with flying colors. He got into an anesthiology residency for godsake!

 

[flights]

I honestly believe that typing the note makes a big difference. My husband failed one time, didn't type the note, and the second time he did a lot of things differently aka more questions, more exam, and followed the usmle world format study guide for CS, and still hand-wrote his note. We just found out he failed again. THIS IS SUCH A STUPID TEST. We honestly do not know of anything else he can change besides typing his note next time- I know I'm biased but he is an above average student and passed all of the standardized patient tests at our school with flying colors. He got into an anesthiology residency for godsake!

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that. This is a useless, pointless exam. I wrote my exam out by hand and just found out I passed. I forgot to wash my hands with one patient, forgot to ask specific questions about pain (!) with 2 others pts (I was apparently nervous, and it had been 8 months since my last pt. encounter), switched ddx and diagnostic testing columns several times towards the end (meaning I wrote ddx where I should have written further testing and vice versa). Also, I was apparently taking too long to take H&P, since I almost always ran out of time before I could summarize the encounter to the pt. I'm not sure how passed, but I'm glad I don't have to go through that ordeal again. Which sections did he fail?

 

[megsMS]

The first time it was "History and Data Gathering". We don't have the form from them this time yet; we found out from our school. When we get it in the mail I will update and let you guys know. BTW, where did you take your test?

 

[Pollicis]

megsMS, out of curiosity, is your husband a native english speaker?

 

[flights]

The first time it was "History and Data Gathering". We don't have the form from them this time yet; we found out from our school. When we get it in the mail I will update and let you guys know. BTW, where did you take your test?

I took CS in Chicago. Are some cities known for being worse than others? Just out of curiosity, did he study from FA or Kaplan at all? They have a check list of items you're supposed to go through.

 

[megsMS]

Yes, he was born and raised in Ohio. Also, he is as blond-haired and blue-eyed a they come (you know how some people, at least where we are from, see someone who doesn't look like them and automatically assume they can't speak English). Approximately 15-20% of people from our graduating class didn't pass the first time and they were all from Atlanta and LA. 3 out of 4 people who in our class who took it in LA failed. And they were all average or above-average students who were very good clinically. Also, yes, he studied both FA and USMLE World.

 

[golfpropsychguy]

I honestly believe that typing the note makes a big difference. My husband failed one time, didn't type the note, and the second time he did a lot of things differently aka more questions, more exam, and followed the usmle world format study guide for CS, and still hand-wrote his note. We just found out he failed again. THIS IS SUCH A STUPID TEST. We honestly do not know of anything else he can change besides typing his note next time- I know I'm biased but he is an above average student and passed all of the standardized patient tests at our school with flying colors. He got into an anesthiology residency for godsake!

Wow, i'm really sorry to hear that. Does your husband speak english as a second language? I have heard that many people dont have any problems with this exam?