Finally, I'm glad to share that I've passed my USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS), and met the requirements to be ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)-certified. Many people/ readers have asked me before why I did not complete this earlier. If you do remember, I sat for my first Step almost 6 years ago, during my 4th year in med school. I then took the Step 2 CK in '06 just before starting housemanship. My very initial plan is to go for US Residency upon completing my internship in M'sia.
The plan was kind of deferred as I then decided to complete my compulsory service first, and in the meantime to study for MRCP (UK). I consider myself lucky that I passed my Part I & IIa smoothly, and I think I have to partly attribute this to my previous preparation for USMLE. To me, it is a very well-designed exam and I learned so much by just preparing for it.
Upon completing MRCP, after much consideration I've decided to pursue further training in Nephrology and came to where I am now. Knowing that if I do not sit for the USMLE 3rd part within 7 years (which is 2012 - this year!), my previous efforts will be wasted and this will remain an incomplete dream. But the timing of exam, mid May, is challenging as it means that I would only have about 6 weeks to prepare, after my SCE Nephro exam in March. Frankly, I did encounter difficulty as it was quite a painful process to revise from the very beginning. But of course, PACES experience did help substantially, but my memory of orthopedic examination was kind of vague already. ;)
Step 2 CS consists of 12 clinical encounters, each with 15 minutes for seeing the patients, and 10 minutes for patient's note writing. The whole session lasts approximately EIGHT hours (enough time to cause brain injury). It tests the candidate on 3 major components: Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS), and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP). It is necessary to pass all components in order to obtain an overall pass. I took the exam in Los Angeles, and continued my trip travelling around Western US.
Now I'm glad that it's over - a huge relief indeed. An exam spanning over almost 7 years - it's done! Time for just another celebration! ;)
11 comments:
Congratulation, you did a great work again.
Thanks Liam!
Congrats! Just out of curiosity, are you planning to go US?
ccc: Hmm not now, it's more for future plan actually. The reason I had to take it is once ECFMG certificate obtained, it remains valid indefinitely.
Your site is very good and helpful thank you.
Ayisha: Thanks and glad that you find it helpful.
congratulations Darren!! Good to see you doing well in Singapore! ^^
Shinyin: Thanks! Hope you're doing great too! ;)
Hi Darren,
Congratulations for passing cs, even me too took it in may 2012 at L.A. and passed it but I had to halt my dreams towards USA residency and started preparing for MRCP.
I have a question for you, as you know Cs is more of' being a doctor' kinda exam and I didn't feel difficulty at any station but while going through Paces case scenerio it sounds heck tougher,
Can you please tell me any tips for PACES preparation.
Thanks again for nailing both monsters!
Cheers!
Hi Dr Sriv,
Congrats on passing USMLE. You're right that they can be quite different - as mainly because Step 2 CS are of simulated patients hence the main focus is on history taking and case summary.
PACES is much more complicated I'd say - need lots of practice to familiarize yourself in examining patients for real clinical signs, at the same time formulating the diagnoses and management plan in the short duration - in minutes!
Please feel free to go through my other posts on MRCP preparation and hope you'll find them useful.
All the best!
Darren
Thank you Dr. Darren,
I really appreciate your suggestions.
I did go through your blogs and they are quite informative.
Thanks again!
May the force be with you!
P.S.: it's quite unique to see the combination of Medicine and Magic:) but one thing is sure ,both are 'elusive'.
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