I am taking a quick break from studying.....my head feels like it is about to explode!! Too much studying and trying to cram in all the last minute details. I find that medicine has so many details. Little tiny tid bits of info that keep popping up. It is so hard to know it all, and even harder to try and figure out which detail is more important to know (at least according to the USMLE). My final preparation for Step 2 CK has been going over all the practice questions I got wrong and hoping that this information will not only stay in my head, but will help me navigate my test on Tuesday. Here's to hoping my plan works :)
In other news, I had my Step 2 CS exam on friday in Chicago. I did study for this test going over the USMLE book twice and practicing my interview/examination skills. I was really confident Friday morning.....I got up, had a great breakfast, and told myself that this test would not be a problem for me. I know myself....I am great with patients....great at getting relevant information....and great with thinking up differential diagnosis. What I found I am not great with is a time limit!!! You only get 15 minutes to interview and examine the patient and an additional 10 minutes to write the note. I found myself running out of time while in the room, unable to complete necessary physical exams. And my notes, well....lets just say I forgot many, MANY things (pertinent negatives and positives). I came out of the test feeling like shit!!! Of course, so did some of my fellow classmates who joined me at the Chicago site. But still.....my earlier invincibility was long gone. I spent most of the night thinking how I could have done better. How could I have asked the questions better?? How could I have done my exams better?? And the most important question of all....was I empathetic enough??? You see, this test really has nothing to do with medicine. It is a weed out test for two groups of people: those that are foreign born and don't speak english well....and those that do not show empathy towards pts. I keep asking myself over and over in my head....was I empathetic enough?? THIS is what I am worried about!!!! Because I could have nailed the exam...nailed the patient note, and yet, still fail on empathy. It sucks knowing that you could have wasted $1200 and your career because an actor didn't think you cared enough.
I will officially know my results on June 16th. I am trying hard to not think about it (since I can't really do anything about it now), and focus on Step 2 CK....but believe me, it is very, very hard!!! I'm thinking that medical school should throw in a course or two on acting!!
I will be home in 3 days.....can't wait.....:) :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment