For CS

发信人: FionaStep1 (蜗牛她背着重重的壳呀一步一步往上爬:-)), 信区: MedicalCareer
标  题: For CS; thanks
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Thu Jun 17 06:24:43 2010, 美东)

I promised myself that if I can pass, I will definitely come to write what I
feel useful for people who will need, as I learned a lot from the posts
here. And I hope the other two friends who posted here for SEP will pass
smoothly very soon.

1) I used the protocol shyj (baobao) posted (together with others'
contribution) and did minor modification based on what I can comfortably
remember. Hers is a great post. Thanks to her so much.

2) Preparation Schedule: About 2 months.
First;
Read FA cases a little.
Start to practice with coworkers and friends a little.
Watch UW physical exam clips once.
Went to the NJ 2 days class on weekends (the 600 dollors one). Highly recommend. You
should take it after watching UW clips once and as soon as possible.
Second;
Practice with study partner face to face on weekends.
Practice with coworkers after work 2-3 times a week for 1-2 hours (including
PN writing).
Read FA cases a little at night (I cannot stick to studying a lot at night)
Participate the Kaplan Mock exam. The scoring system at Kaplan is very
strict. I did not be able to pass. My mood at mock exam was actually more
relaxed than real exam. Overall, it is worthwhile to take the mock exam, but
do not beat yourself up with the score there. Listen to their suggestions.
Third;
Practice with study partner on weekends.
Practice with coworkers. Practice with my LD.
Read and recite minicases part of FA (highly recommend).
Go to Houston test center.
Practice with test takers found at the Baymont Suite. I left my message at
front desk and also dare to ask people in the lobby and found several test
takers. We practiced a little. From an American student there, I heard that
for every SP we must check heart and lungs, even in neuro cases. This
made me quite nervous, as I never prepared for this part before due to the
time issue. They emphasized that so much, so I did that on maybe 10 out
of 12 SP in the real exam. I feel when you have no time, you do not need
to do that.

Several points I would like to point out, no matter where I learned them
from. Some are repeating from shyj's post.
1) Model for Challenging Questions;
I understand your concern that ....(you are in a lot of pain). We won't know
for sure until all of your test results come back. Then I will be at a
better position to help you to figure out what is going on, and choose the
best treatment plan for you.

Then add reassurance once more. I want to assure you that you are in good
hands now, and we will do everything we can to help you/make you feel better.

2) Empathy and reassurance.
Kaplan emphasized this a lot. We have to show 3 times of empathy. Combined
with what I learned from the NJ class, I feel the comfortable way is.
A. After SP describes CC, ask a little more about the symptoms, then say,
I can see that/It seems like you are in a lot of pain/it is really tough on
you. I want to assure you that I will do everything I can to help you/figure
out what is going on for you.
B. After SP asks challenging questions.
As above.
C. After SP feels alarmed by any diagnosis you gave.
I understand it sounds really frightening. Right now we don't know what is
going on until your test results are back. Even if it is really ...., it is
a treatable disease. I want to assure you that you are in good hands now/we
have an excellent team here, and we will provide the best care to you as we
can.
Before I leave the room. I will leave my contact information with you at the
front desk, please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions.
I will sit down with you as soon as the test results are back. We will go over the
test results together and figure out what is going on and I will choose the best
treatment plan for you. Are you clear with everything we talked today? Do you
have any questions for me (repeat)? All these depend on how much time you have.
Pick some to talk.

3) Avoid falsely alarming SP.
I tend to agree that we do not give any very serious diagnosis to the
SP. No cancer diagnosis definitely. Even if it really points to cancer, give
inflammation or some other diagnosis. Firstly, it is more common to be
inflammation or other common diseases. Secondly, you have to deal with the
outcome of falsely alarming SP. I did not do this, but I know a test taker
with me who told me later that when he tells the SP it could be cancer, the
SP jumpped out from the bed and asked "WHAT???". So it is kind of hard to
handle.

4) Hostile SP.
We did not meet with any very hostile SP. As soon as you give assurance and
answer to their challenging questions they will calm down. There was no one
especially hostile. Accent OK at Houston test center.

5) Education about EtOH, Smoking and STD.
I used shyj's post. I educated SPs after social history as I hope I won't
forget it in closure.

6) Closure.
It is as important as everyone said. No matter how much we forgot to do, we
have to leave enough time 2-3 mins for closure. Do not talk endlessly for a
whole of 3 mins without letting the SP interrupt you. That was one of my
problems. Wait a little bit in between and do not shut the SP down. They have
their tasks too. They need to give you the challenging questions at some point.

The overall time control is very important. Start washing hands at about 8-9 mins
and start at least some physical exams already when you hear the ring. I used all
15 mins in most cases. Some with 1 min left. Used 1 min at the door to organize
DD and even physical exams, as I feel my brain will be frozen after I enter and I
wish to let myself know what to exam at the begining.

Now I am preparing for CK. It is much more difficult to me than I expected, especially
for people like me who has no clinical experience before. No time to read notes, no
time to listen to videos and still wish to take it soon if possible. I hope I will stick to
studying more focusly. Thanks!
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发信人: FionaStep1 (蜗牛她背着重重的壳呀一步一步往上爬:-)), 信区: MedicalCareer
标  题: Re: For CS; thanks
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Thu Jun 17 07:07:19 2010, 美东)

I would like to ask for suggestions about my time to take CK. My original
plan was to take CK at the later part of July. So maybe I will have enough
time to wait for the score and certificate and apply as early as possible.

However, I am really hesitant now. My UW percentage is only 58%, timed
subject-wise. I only read Internal Medicine notes (one part left not read
yet) and some Psychiatry notes up to now. I have not listened to videos. I
also start to forget a lot about step 1 for a lot of overlapping genetics
and neurology questions.

I have not done any NBME forms yet.
I could possibly take 10 days off in July before taking exam.
I know I should do NBME forms and then decide if I should postpone.

One question to ask,
I heard that we can submit an incomplete package at the begining of Sep.
Then add what is left later when we have the result. In real experience, is
it practical? Will I still be able to apply to programs for those who does
not require complete package? Will there be any problem of submission? Or we
actually cannot submit applications until our package is complete?

Thanks a lot.

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发信人: zhukov97 (UNC BIG MAD DOG), 信区: MedicalCareer
标  题: Re: For CS; thanks
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Thu Jun 17 09:18:07 2010, 美东)

Thanks for sharing. You post is really helpful.

For the match, as I understand, you can send you package to program only
with your step1 score on hand. But you have to get ECFMG certificate before
program sending the rank list.

Regarding CK, don't underestimate it. It took me same amount efforts as
preparing Step1,and got less score.None of my friends got higher CK score
than step1. CK looks much harder for those were not IM physicians in China.

You have to do NBME to meter your level, and guide your prepare, so as UW
simulate test.Do it, and do it now.I will suggest do UW simulate test first,
it is cheaper and you can learn a lot out of it. But it is not that
accurate as NBME.

Hope these helps. Thanks again for your great post.

Zhu
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发信人: FionaStep1 (Step 2 CK), 信区: MedicalCareer
标  题: Re: For CS; thanks
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Thu Jun 17 09:38:45 2010, 美东)

Zhu, Thank you so much!
I feel so bad about UW and can only vaguely remember the knowledge
points in the answers of it. I will try to read hard for several days then
try UW simulate test once.
I am considering postponing it at least to Aug or Sept. One issue is that I
will have to ask for letters and I feel like I dare not ask if I have not
finished all exams.
Some pending personal issues push me to take it as soon as possible.
To myself - study hard and harder!
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发信人: FionaStep1 (Step 2 CK), 信区: MedicalCareer
标  题: Re: For CS; thanks
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Thu Jun 17 11:26:18 2010, 美东)

Thanks a lot. Just realized seriously that I have only one month left for
preparation if I ever be able to stick to the original plan.
4 NBME forms, 2 UW sim tests, right.
Repeating UW 2200 questions.
It really seems like overwhelming to me.
No time to consider OB for now (Full time job for now so no time to do OB
either).

Is there any possibility to do OB on weekends only?
If so and if I can get one, maybe I should postpone CK and get an OB on
weekend as priority. Right?

验证码 is FVCK for this reply. So it tells me CK CK CK too.
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