Posted by Marco from IP 58.70.51.75 on August 29, 2007 at 20:45:23:
I have been observing with kinda mixed awe how people would entertain themselves in bragging out like a temper tantrum of a little child whose self-confidence is very very limited- therefore they need constant approvals from bystanders- that's how they maintain integrity of self image.
I don't need some idiots clapping hands for my curtain call, yet I'm confident because I am who I am in Christ Jesus. In a movie "Mrs Doubtfire", Robin Williams said to Mr. 007 guy "Some guy tends to b u y Mercedes to compensate his smaller genitals".
A-ha , Thank GOD I don't have to compensate anything for...
I just can't but feel awkward to those people who just bloat out "Passed" and expecting his/her head stroked. DO you need other people's appraisals to feel good? What a xxxx..
Did they ever help you out for analyzing the test? I guess not.... They just wanna brag.... that's all.
Step 3 could be very easy or very unfamiliar thing.
Easy if you have done your residency already and your routine include taking history, writing orders and giving patients appointments etc.
Pretty unfamiliar or more like foreign thing to those who never been in situation above.
I have never joined in residency in my whole life, and that' why looking for ones right now as matching season is at the door waiting in September 1st.
I never wrote orders or managed patients in residency of course...
What makes so special if you are already in residency and others are not in terms of taking step3?
That's because step3 is designed for people who are already in residency.
Q's tested and CCS are such that represents an essence or digest version of typical residency life you encounter in US hospitals- not in elsewhere of course.
Certain share of people who were really into tackling step2 step1 typed questions would now face a totally new challenge in presence of step3.
Q's are streamlined to test your ability to order appropriate test in appropriate situation or manage patient in appropriate manner.
Do you order x-ray or Ultrasound..... Or order ABG and Swan Ganz in what settings?
What to do if you are not familiar with those routine?
Simple.
Make "it" your daily routine!! even if you are tucked away in underground remote island resort without any sights of other human being around.
But how?
You have USMLE world's Cases. Those 80 some cases would tailor out your basic daily routine hospital job without losing balance ranging from head-on surgery to thinker-in internal medicine.
Give out your time daily to write the orders without looking at the print-out.
Do it like you do the job. Without wavering, do it like you do something everyday- like eating or sleeping.
For example,
In CHF patient, you begin by jotting down your own abbreviations or memos in form you understand to the piece of paper.
Like this, first, check pulse ox, cardiac monitor/BP, consider IVNS if hydration is issue. Heed also to ABC.
Most likely, O2, pulse ox, BP/Cardiac monitor, IV access etc.
Second,
cb(CBC) bm(BMP) ekg furosamide cxr ua sputum-gram if cough
Third,
cb-q8 kcl echo lft etc
DOing these OVER and OVER will solidify your foundation of what to do first second and next....
Then you do MCQ, do Kaplan's Q bank, but do NOT do UW first. Because Kaplan Q bank would prepare you about how you order in what situation in basic sense. On the other hand UW do NOT.