My friend FAILED CS, these were his mistakes.

[FriendlyIMG]

TL;DR: PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!!! Do a full 15 minute case followed by 10 minute note writing session. Use a stop watch! Speak english constantly! Use gloves! Use abbreviations! Doctors are not gods, be nice!


His primary mistake on the 1st attempt was that he did not have enough time! Because of that, he missed many closures, counseling, aspects of physical exam, and could not ask many questions. Since he was not able to gather sufficient data, his notes were insufficient and his diagnosis were often incorrect (we think). Here are all the factors that caused him to loose time:

1. He has a thick Indian accent. He was constantly having to speak slowly to be understood and he was having to repeat himself. This is a huge time waster. On the second attempt, he studied for a full month - doing all the cases in the First Aide 2 - 3 times each. We refused to let him speak Hindi, even when we were taking a break.

2. He did not allocate his time properly during the exam. For at least 6 of the cases, he did an overly-thorough physical exam at the expense of the closure. On the second attempt, he practiced with a stop watch.

3. He did not use enough abbreviations when writing his note. He was writing things like "awake, alert, oriented x 3" instead of "AAOx3." As a result he didn't have enough time to do the diagnosis section properly. This happened on 3 of the cases On the second attempt, we practiced writing the note immediately after we practiced the interview... with a stop watch.

4. He washed his hands instead of using gloves. That was a waste of 30 seconds. Gloves allow you to multi-task: You can put on gloves while asking questions or counselling. He definitely put on gloves for the 2nd attempt.

5. This doesn't have to do with time, it is more of a cultural thing: he was not empathetic enough toward the patient. Apparently he got it into his head that a doctor is some kind of god figure who can boss people around. On his 2nd attempt, while practicing, we yelled at him if he was being a dick.

[avid_learner]

much appreciated! true facts indeed!

[tomswgc]

Originally Posted by FriendlyIMG

TL;DR: PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!!! Do a full 15 minute case followed by 10 minute note writing session. Use a stop watch! Speak english constantly! Use gloves! Use abbreviations! Doctors are not gods, be nice!


His primary mistake on the 1st attempt was that he did not have enough time! Because of that, he missed many closures, counseling, aspects of physical exam, and could not ask many questions. Since he was not able to gather sufficient data, his notes were insufficient and his diagnosis were often incorrect (we think). Here are all the factors that caused him to loose time:

1. He has a thick Indian accent. He was constantly having to speak slowly to be understood and he was having to repeat himself. This is a huge time waster. On the second attempt, he studied for a full month - doing all the cases in the First Aide 2 - 3 times each. We refused to let him speak Hindi, even when we were taking a break.

2. He did not allocate his time properly during the exam. For at least 6 of the cases, he did an overly-thorough physical exam at the expense of the closure. On the second attempt, he practiced with a stop watch.

3. He did not use enough abbreviations when writing his note. He was writing things like "awake, alert, oriented x 3" instead of "AAOx3." As a result he didn't have enough time to do the diagnosis section properly. This happened on 3 of the cases On the second attempt, we practiced writing the note immediately after we practiced the interview... with a stop watch.

4. He washed his hands instead of using gloves. That was a waste of 30 seconds. Gloves allow you to multi-task: You can put on gloves while asking questions or counselling. He definitely put on gloves for the 2nd attempt.

5. This doesn't have to do with time, it is more of a cultural thing: he was not empathetic enough toward the patient. Apparently he got it into his head that a doctor is some kind of god figure who can boss people around. On his 2nd attempt, while practicing, we yelled at him if he was being a dick.

This is surely by CSE video or some other course promoter.

An Indian "friend" will never write like this.

Secondly this guy is a racist.

[appleaday]

Im not going to lie. I never properly washed my hands in ANY of my cases. I tried putting the gloves on in the first one and I discovered they are those cheap ones that rip very easily. I wasted 30secs putting on gloves (and i didnt have sweaty hands). from then on, i made sure to wash my hands instead. I walked to the sink and rinsed my hands + pretended to put soap on. After a quick dry this took a total of 10secs MAX. I dont care that this is not hygienic, this is an exam. I just needed to look the part.

[Cynapse]

Originally Posted by appleaday

Im not going to lie. I never properly washed my hands in ANY of my cases. I tried putting the gloves on in the first one and I discovered they are those cheap ones that rip very easily. I wasted 30secs putting on gloves (and i didnt have sweaty hands). from then on, i made sure to wash my hands instead. I walked to the sink and rinsed my hands + pretended to put soap on. After a quick dry this took a total of 10secs MAX. I dont care that this is not hygienic, this is an exam. I just needed to look the part.

Hi

I am IMG/243/CS pass on 2nd attempt/248/219 3 m observership and 3 US lors applied for close to 100 programs for 2016 & 2017 match with no interview calls. Well I know everyone says this but I really don't understand why failed in CS first attempt. Moving on I am in uncertain status whether I need to continue to put my effort for residency here or plan something back at my home country.

Kindly give ur inputs.

Thanks

[halan2005]

I don't think your problem is your attempt. granted it is a hinderance but you're not making it any better with just 3months of observership. the truth is observerships are not recognized anymore. you're better off getting into research and externship

[greg lin]

hi everyone
I took my exam 3 weeks ago. I still need to wait for 6 weeks to get the result.
I am feeling worried about CIS part.

I forgot to say patient's name on entry more than half of all cases. I just say "Hi. I am Dr..., I am a physician working here today. nice to meet you. How may I address you?"
SP said their preference. that's it. I didn't mention their name after that.

For the rest of the cases, I called their names on entry and I asked their preference and I didn't repeat their name after that.

I finished all cases in time. I did counselling, challenging and closure in all cases.
How do you think about my mistake?
Can I pass the exam?

[Cynapse]

Originally Posted by halan2005

I don't think your problem is your attempt. granted it is a hinderance but you're not making it any better with just 3months of observership. the truth is observerships are not recognized anymore. you're better off getting into research and externship

Thank u

Yes I am looking for research, but externship are hard to get for graduates I suppose?

[halan2005]

Originally Posted by Cynapse

Thank u

Yes I am looking for research, but externship are hard to get for graduates I suppose?

Have you tried those agencies that get medical graduates externships, i know they're expensive but they are good ways to get LOR and hospital networking

[halan2005]

Originally Posted by halan2005

Have you tried those agencies that get medical graduates externships, i know they're expensive but they are good ways to get LOR and hospital networking

try getting some externships especially those in a hospital that has a residency program, work hard and network, volunteer in a hospital alot of hospitals have volunteer oppurtunity, get some research and publications, boost up your CV, go for conferences for FM, IM, Psych whichever you're interested in and network. john hopkins has a research program for medical graduates see if you can apply to that, tulane too. (not sure if they still offer it)
email doctors and ask if you shadow them for 6 months to a year working for free thats a good way to get LOR.

Goodluck. I hope it works for you. Keep working hard and you will get in

[sandeep424]

This is a good one... externships may be expensive but they will candidates a lot with the LORs which strengthen in their CV

[Cynapse]

Originally Posted by halan2005

try getting some externships especially those in a hospital that has a residency program, work hard and network, volunteer in a hospital alot of hospitals have volunteer oppurtunity, get some research and publications, boost up your CV, go for conferences for FM, IM, Psych whichever you're interested in and network. john hopkins has a research program for medical graduates see if you can apply to that, tulane too. (not sure if they still offer it)
email doctors and ask if you shadow them for 6 months to a year working for free thats a good way to get LOR.

Goodluck. I hope it works for you. Keep working hard and you will get in

Thank for prompt response

Yes I need to work hard to build CV, I am trying as well.
My question, is it practical for me to keep hopes n try as I hv LO (7 months old) bcoz after compromising so much with family and giving yrs of time to built CV d/t red flag(CS attempt)I don't want to land no where after trying so hard. I hope u understand my point , I don't want to sound pessimistic.