tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:27:47 +0000Fun, Simple and Practical Tips, Tricks and Notes for the USMLE Step 3 CCS Exam <br> Last Updated: 25th Feb 2009http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/noreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)Blogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-6166647123130651408Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:12:00 +00002009-02-25T18:48:59.020-08:00Just heard this from my program director - Starting from 2009, most states will require that new PGY1 residents will need to pass USMLE Step 3 before the end of their first residency year. Currently, residency programs usually expect their residents to pass the Step 3 anytime before the end of PGY2 to be eligible for PGY 3, i.e. Third year. Hmmm...anyhow I would strongly urge ya'll to tackle yourhttp://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2009/02/new-step-3-must-be-cleared-before-end.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-4995119962010650178Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:42:00 +00002009-01-17T15:08:07.626-08:00MnemonicsI've listed this mnemonic under Step 3 instead of the SmartMD blog, since that's where it might be most useful for USMLEtoMD.com readers . On the CCS, what will save you time is quick fact-finding about what case you are dealing with, a big part of that is ordering the right tests on your digital patients - here's a quick way of remembering what tests need to be ordered when dealing with a case http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2009/01/stool-tests-mnemonic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-1427871299440703847Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:33:00 +00002008-04-05T07:50:49.436-07:00Irrespective 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 withhttp://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2008/04/matched-advantages-of-step-3-before.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-2122354746158884261Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:39:00 +00002007-11-25T16:56:19.505-08:00For 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 DakotaConnecticut is a time-tested state for registering to sit for the Step 3, http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/11/what-state-to-choose-for-pre-residency.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-5036160987092093488Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:07:00 +00002007-11-12T11:37:35.675-08:00USMLE 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 http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/11/usmle-step-3-ccs-offered-outside-usa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-2952781231129174412Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:18:00 +00002007-10-28T22:19:23.550-07:00MRI, 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 http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/mri-versus-ct-scans.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-2883185839786752427Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:08:00 +00002007-10-28T22:09:59.751-07:00Step 3 CCS TipsSuspect 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 :http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/pulmonary-embolism-management-flowchart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-5015991741931432837Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:05:00 +00002007-10-28T22:08:18.788-07:00MnemonicsStep 3 CCS TipsManagement Options in the Treatment for Pancreatitis (Especially Useful for CCS cases)"PANCREAS"P - Pain ControlA - Aspiration by Naso-Gastric TubeN - NPOC - Calcium for HypocalcemiaR - Replenish FluidsE - Enteric Feeds or TPN depending on the caseA - Antibiotics (Imipenem)S - Surgery in case of Abscess or Pseudocyst developmentAnd of course, For any acute Abdominal Emergency - remember the 4 "http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/ccs-mnemonic-pancreatitis-case.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-4550687158422849044Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:04:00 +00002007-10-28T22:05:12.805-07:00MnemonicsStep 3 CCS TipsDon'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 rest ?http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/ccs-mnemonic-basic-orders-on-patient.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-9030077563945071175Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:59:00 +00002007-10-28T22:01:45.345-07:00Step 3 CCS TipsThis 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 frequently3. If a patient is found to have abnormal LFTs, get a TSH4. If a patient is going to surgery (including cardiac catheterization), make them NPO5. All NPO patients must also have their urine outputhttp://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/musas-golden-ccs-rules-for-step-3-ccs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-6711295857486635524Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:57:00 +00002007-10-28T21:58:42.884-07:00The 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 explainhttp://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/10/ethics-study-prep-for-usmle-step-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-6540636687413328981Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:56:00 +00002007-10-29T00:33:13.959-07:001. 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 CCS3. Topics like Geriatrics and http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2007/04/usmle-step-3-study-plan-for-beginners.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4671047128796601768.post-7542996479183749824Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:02:00 +00002007-10-28T22:04:09.953-07:00MnemonicsStep 3 CCS TipsA 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 order, http://www.usmletomd.com/step3/2006/04/ccs-mnemonic-orders-for-case-of-trauma.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0