Step 2 cs patient note has been the one critical factor that has kept many doctors from passing the usmle step 2 cs exam. Ever since the ECFMG changed the format of the USMLE step 2 CS exam in June 2012 many students including USA trained graduates are failing the ICE component of which patient note is one aspect
As one of the co-authors of First Aid Usmle step 2 cs book (3rd edition, 2009) I know that a great effort has been put together by the first aid usmle step 2 cs team in the form of a book to meet the needs of the student for the usmle step 2 cs exam.
USMLE Step 2 CS is a very unique exam which requires a unique way of preparation. It is an examination that assesses you as a medical doctor before you get to practice in the United States. USMLE Step 2 CS tests you on 3 components
I'm pretty sure about what you're thinking …….. "What? Who cares how good I wash my hands on the exam. I am already running out of time here…it is an awkward silence when my mind is racing as to what system I am going to examine …..the point is that I wash my hands. Right?" Correct…… I hear you ……
In mid 2012, the pattern of the patient note writing for the USMLE Step 2 CS exam changed.
Oh yes!…….you are a Robot at "certain times" of the patient encounter. Some things are to be done routinely for every case. For example the entry and introductory part (except for changing the last name of the patient), the PAMHUGS FOSS (the questions you ask are the same, the answers may be different from patient to patient)
Do I have to copy everything? Not all, but some essentials. Let's see what they are ……Say you glanced at the doorway information saying " A 60 year old male Sang Lee comes to ER with loss of consciousness. BP 150/80 mm Hg , PR – 80/min, RR 14/min T 99.8 F ".
I know we are all expected to enter the room, greet the SP and carry out a smooth co- ordinated encounter. Wouldn't we all like to be fluent, coherent, well modulated, asking the next question without missing a beat (though our heart is skipping beats),
This is a common question I get asked by my students. Well, its really up to you……..if it is an emergency you want to be standing while taking history but otherwise, in my opinion, I think sitting during the encounter is a better option… Here are the reasons…… Please see if it makes sense to you personally …...
What is the most important minute of your 15 minutes patient encounter? Any guesses? In my opinion the most important minute is the time spent outside the door! Why? Here are the reasons………