08-19-2011, 01:33 PM
I passed step 2 cs 2nd attempt at houston. First attempt failed CIS at chicago. First attempt in 2009 I usad FA and videos (UW as far as I remember) I got higher performance on ICE and SEP. Second attempt used FA and csevideos. What made the difference between the first and second attempts is that the at the first attempt I concentrated on the medical part especially PE and did an excellent physical exam, result: No time for closure, no time for patient's comfort, patient's concern or summarising.
In the second attempt I said and did exactly like the lady on csevideos and I got higher performance in the 3 sections. The thing is, in these videos the lady does a BAD physical exam and this is exactly what you have to do (you should not do a VERY bad exam either)cause as I read that PE represents 15% only and you can always compensate on data gathering and patient note.
One more advice, when you practice (with timing of course, preferably 2 minutes less than the real exam) it is better to to everything like the real exam otherwise you will forget it cause it is really machinery during the exam (you just recall what you practiced 100 times. For example if you dont wash your hands during practicing you would probably forget to wash your hands in the real exam.(same for the leg extension)
When I first watched csevideos I thought they weren't that good: the image and sound weren't clear and I thought the PE wasn't that good, but remember you only have 15 minutes to convince the patients that you deserve passing.
I would also like to say that this is my experience which could be different from others, I read some posts saying that csevideos are terrible. Honestly I would say that they were the cause of my success in this exam and I can understand that some would find them less interesting than other videos, but they are by no means 'terrible'.
I noticed that the cases are more difficult than those of 2009. I think I had 4 cases who weren't in FA or cse videos(in 2009 all cases were from FA) but you should not panic if you have cases on your that you didn't see before cause you just have to know to which system (eg resp.,cardio, psychiatry..)and you ask the same questions for every system.
You should stay 1 minute before entering the room:write patient's name, DD,PAMHUGFOSS, SH,FH,PMH or whtever mnemoncs you are at ease with.
I prepared in 5 weeks took csevideos twice (it's true) and they extended 1 free week before my exam cause I didn't have much time to watche them regularly (I am a 37 yo doctor living in France)
GOOD LUCK
In the second attempt I said and did exactly like the lady on csevideos and I got higher performance in the 3 sections. The thing is, in these videos the lady does a BAD physical exam and this is exactly what you have to do (you should not do a VERY bad exam either)cause as I read that PE represents 15% only and you can always compensate on data gathering and patient note.
One more advice, when you practice (with timing of course, preferably 2 minutes less than the real exam) it is better to to everything like the real exam otherwise you will forget it cause it is really machinery during the exam (you just recall what you practiced 100 times. For example if you dont wash your hands during practicing you would probably forget to wash your hands in the real exam.(same for the leg extension)
When I first watched csevideos I thought they weren't that good: the image and sound weren't clear and I thought the PE wasn't that good, but remember you only have 15 minutes to convince the patients that you deserve passing.
I would also like to say that this is my experience which could be different from others, I read some posts saying that csevideos are terrible. Honestly I would say that they were the cause of my success in this exam and I can understand that some would find them less interesting than other videos, but they are by no means 'terrible'.
I noticed that the cases are more difficult than those of 2009. I think I had 4 cases who weren't in FA or cse videos(in 2009 all cases were from FA) but you should not panic if you have cases on your that you didn't see before cause you just have to know to which system (eg resp.,cardio, psychiatry..)and you ask the same questions for every system.
You should stay 1 minute before entering the room:write patient's name, DD,PAMHUGFOSS, SH,FH,PMH or whtever mnemoncs you are at ease with.
I prepared in 5 weeks took csevideos twice (it's true) and they extended 1 free week before my exam cause I didn't have much time to watche them regularly (I am a 37 yo doctor living in France)
GOOD LUCK