tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46710471287966017682008-08-11T21:10:47.750-07:00My USMLE Step 3 & CCS Tips-N-Tricks : by DigitaldocDigitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-14278712994407038472008-04-05T07:33:00.000-07:002008-04-05T07:50:49.436-07:00Matched ? Advantages of Step 3 Before ResidencyIrrespective of your need for a H1b visa, taking the step 3 prior to the start of residency might offer some good advantages to residents-to-be :
1. There is both, a real and a perceived lack of time during residency in busy specialties like internal medicine, general surgery, etc. and enough stress already - why add more ?
2. For non-medicine heavy specialties, where one gradually loses touch Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-21223547461588842612007-11-25T16:39:00.000-08:002007-11-25T16:56:19.505-08:00What State to Choose for Pre-Residency USMLE Step 3 CCS?For those of you who haven't yet entered into a residency program but would like to take the test either because:
- you wish to get over with it before residency or
- for the H1b Visa,
here are some states that you are eligible to select while registering from the FSMB site:
ConnecticutMarylandNebraskaSouth CarolinaSouth Dakota
Connecticut is a time-tested state for registering to sit for theDigitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-50361609870920934882007-11-12T11:07:00.000-08:002007-11-12T11:37:35.675-08:00USMLE Step 3 CCS offered outside USAUSMLE Step 3 CCS has never been offered outside the USA - and for the first time in 2007, it can be taken outside the Unite States - in Dubai.
In Dubai, it is meant for those seeking the Centre for Health Care Planning and Quality license (CPQ) , which is a regulatory body established as a joint initiative by DHCC and its strategic collaborator Harvard Medical International (HMI), to certify Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-29527812311291744122007-10-28T22:18:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:19:23.550-07:00MRI versus CT scansMRI, as we all know, stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Note the stress on the word Magnetic !
Whenever a question stem on the step 2 or Step 3 says that the patient has any metallic object implants like pacemakers , prosthetic metal valves, etc - it should immediately strike you that MRI is contraindicated in such a patient - which helps in case the question is of the "What's next step in Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-28831858397867524272007-10-28T22:08:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:09:59.751-07:00Pulmonary Embolism Management FlowchartSuspect PE in any question stem with sudden onset Short of Breath with / without pleuritic chest pain - especially with clear breath sounds and a clear X-ray.
If the patient is unstable - first thing to do is a shot of Heparin, if not, the first investigation done for PE is the Ventilation Perfusion Scan. The following Diagram should clearly explain the investigation flow logic :
Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-50159917419314328372007-10-28T22:05:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:08:18.788-07:00CCS Mnemonic: Pancreatitis CaseManagement Options in the Treatment for Pancreatitis (Especially Useful for CCS cases)
"PANCREAS"
P - Pain Control
A - Aspiration by Naso-Gastric Tube
N - NPO
C - Calcium for Hypocalcemia
R - Replenish Fluids
E - Enteric Feeds or TPN depending on the case
A - Antibiotics (Imipenem)
S - Surgery in case of Abscess or Pseudocyst development
And of course, For any acute Abdominal Emergency - Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-45506871584228490442007-10-28T22:04:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:05:12.805-07:00CCS MNEMONIC : Basic Orders on patient admissionDon't forget these basic orders if you admit a patient on a CCS case. For that matter, first of all, do not forget to have the patient sent to the inpatient floor after you are done stabilizing the patient who showed up with an emergency and needs continuing observation or Intravenous fluids / Drugs. This is important - you will tend to forget and is a common error.
"ADMIT"
A - Activity (Bed Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-90300775639450711752007-10-28T21:59:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:01:45.345-07:00MUSA'S Golden CCS Rules for Step 3 CCSThis is to the point and great !
"1. If a patient has a fever, give acetaminophen (unless it is contraindicated)
2. If a patient is on a statin or you order a statin, get baseline LFTs and check frequently
3. If a patient is found to have abnormal LFTs, get a TSH
4. If a patient is going to surgery (including cardiac catheterization), make them NPO
5. All NPO patients must also have their urine Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-67112958574866355242007-10-28T21:57:00.000-07:002007-10-28T21:58:42.884-07:00Ethics Study Prep for USMLE Step 3The concepts and tutorials compiled by the University of Washington School of Medicine is very nice reference to coach yourself in the principles of medical ethics followed in the USA - its good enough for both USMLE Step 2 CK and Step 3 !
When I first looked at it , it seemed too much to do - but then as I started reading, it flowed with pretty easy logic. The short cases that are used to Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-65406366874133289812007-04-04T21:56:00.000-07:002007-10-29T00:33:13.959-07:00USMLE Step 3 Study Plan For Beginners1. 1.5 to 2 Months of Average Study Time Needed. In case you are fresh with Step 2 CK , then you may need even less time, like a month. To be on the safer side, assume a minimum of 1-month of intense prep. If good scores are highly desired then a 1.5 months of intense prep followed by 2 weeks of Assessment tests !
2. UsmleWorld Rocks ! For Both - Questions and CCS
3. Topics like Geriatrics and Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-75429964791837498242006-04-04T22:02:00.000-07:002007-10-28T22:04:09.953-07:00CCS Mnemonic: Orders for a Case of TraumaA Case of Trauma can often be a TRAUMATIC EXPerience - not only to the patient but also to the doc since so many different orders need to be taken care in pretty less time.
Lets use the phrase "TRAUMATIC EXPerience" to help us remember the orders to keep in mind on the USMLE Step 3 CCS , once you have done the basic Stabilization (ABC):
Note:
1. These orders are not necessarily in the right Digitaldoc, MDnoreply@blogger.com