7/9/2017 USMLE Step 2CS exam: HOW TO COUNSEL

0 More Next Blog Create Blog Sign In

USMLE Step 2CS exam: HOW TO

COUNSEL
This section of our USMLE blog will go into counselling for all the issues that you may need to address at the
end of your SP encounter.

Home USCE: Observerships, Electives and Externships IMG Friendly Residency Programs

Thursday, March 4, 2010 Followers

Followers (11)
HOW TO COUNSEL during USMLE step 2 CS
exam

Follow

USMLE & Residency Forum

Usmle Residency ApplicantGuide

Start Download - View PDF

Convert From Doc to PDF, PDF to
Doc Simply With The Free Online
App!

COUNSELING

One of the most important factors that may affect the outcome of your CS exam is the
counseling part. You dont need to be creative or over concerned since this is a
standarized exam where you are doing a limited show in place and time. I collected
the formats which have been used over the years by doctors who passed this exam. Promote Your Page Too
This is the most successful and reliable collection you may find.
Top IMG Resources
HOW TO COUNSEL:
It is better to counsel at the end of the case just before your final comment on next PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS
steps you are going to do for him, as these standarized patients (SPs) are trained
Research Opportunities for IMGs
and used to hear it at that part of the test and are ready to score it for you.
RESIDENCY INTERVIEW TIPS
SMOKING:
Mrs. XYZ, as a concerned physician, I must tell you about the bad-effects of smoking Samples Letter of Recommendation
LOR
on your health. Smoking can damage your heart and your lungs. And can cause
cardiac and vascular problems. I understand that people experience difficulty in
giving it up due to stressful symptoms. But you can use Nicotine patches or Gum to
USMLE Blog List
help reduce those withdrawal symptoms and we even have a professional team to
help you deal with it better. Feel free to contact me anytime if you decide to quit. USMLE STEP 2 CS

ALCOHOL: USMLE RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND

Mrs. XYZ, as a concerned physician, I must tell you about the bad-effects of alcohol MATERIALS
consumption on your health. Excess alcohol consumption raises your risk of high USMLE SCORE CORRELATION
blood pressure, strokes, car accidents, and is known to cause Liver Cirrhosis and
inflammation of the pancreas.- Limit intake to one drink per day (for women) or two
per day (for men).- Avoid drinking before or when driving, or whenever it puts you or
others at risk. We have a professional team that can help you deal with it better. Feel
free to contact me anytime if you decide to quit.

Diabetes:
Mr. XYZ - we will begin your treatment once I have evaluated your lab results. I want

https://cscounsel.blogspot.com/ 1/3
7/9/2017 USMLE Step 2CS exam: HOW TO COUNSEL
you to know that besides drugs, there are other simple but important measures to
keep yourself healthy and reduce complications. 1. Follow regular exercise and diet
instructions that will be provided to you 2. Diabetic patients are vulnerable to injury-
induced ulcers on the foot, so make a habit of using soft footwear whenever you walk
- indoors or outdoors. 3. Be regular in blood-sugar monitoring so that dose
adjustments can be done on time.

Hypertension:
High blood pressure could indicate that your blood vessels are having trouble. It
could cause stroke, affect the functioning of the heart, and even the kidneys. Again,
regular exercise, reduction of weight (if the patient appears overweight), and limiting
salt in your food could help in keeping your hypertension in check. I strongly advise
you to take regular health maintenance examinations to help control your blood
pressure. What do you say, Mr. xyz?"

Enuresis: (Bed wetting)

Mrs. XYZ, kids with bedwetting usually undergo natural healing with age, but this
problem needs tenderness. Punishing your child could worsen it - a much better
technique would be to rather reinforce positive behavior by praising and rewarding
him if he stays dry while sleeping. I would advise you to monitor your child's drinking
habits before going to bed and encourage the child to go to bathroom before going to
bed. We also need to do some tests to rule out other conditions.

MEMORY LOSS:
Mrs. XYZ thank you for your kind cooperation. What I think so far from the answers
you provided and from the physical exam I did, is that your memory problem might be
due to one of the following possibilities: Alzheimers disease, vitB12 deficiency,
thyroid problem and depression , we need to run some tests and imaging studies in
order to figure out what is the exact cause. Mean while I want to ask your permission
to speak with one of your family members about social support and safety at home.
Is't ok?. We have an excellent social worker that can help you in managing your daily
activities and future living plans in case you needed it. When we get the test results
back, we can sit down together and discuss your diagnosis and further treatment
option.

Sexually transmitted diseases: STDs

Mr XYZ being your physican i am much concerned about you health. I need to warn
you that you are not observing safe sexual practices. It puts you at risk of getting
STDs (sexually transmitted disease) which include hepatitis and even AIDS. I would
strongly recommend you to use condoms regularly. (If patinet or partner is on OCPs
you can add) I would also like to tell you that Oral Contraceptive pills dont protect
against sexually transmitted disease. Watch for symptoms of STDs, such as unusual
discharge, sores, redness, or growths in your and your partner's genital area, or pain
while urinating. I would also like you to take a blood test for HIV If you need any help
dont hesitate to contact me. I am here to assist you.

Overweight-diet:
Mr. Green, we have a lot of evidences that weight reduction program alone, could
reduce the symptoms that you have by 50% or even more". or "Recent studies show,
that weight reduction in patients with DM and HTN could eliminate the symptoms
completely without medications. We have a very good dietary specialist here in the
clinic so, if you would like I can refer you to him/her, and I believe it will help US a lot
to treat you condition."

Loss of consciousness:
ms xyz, at this time i must ask that you not drive again until we are sure what caused
you to loss consciousness, I understand that this might be an inconvenience, I assure
you that I will do all I can to get to the bottom of your problem so that you can resume
your regular activities of daily living, do you have any questions or concerns for me at
this time?"

Asthma:
"Mr. Smith asthma is a chronic disease that needs long term therapy. Most common
cause of recurrence of asthma symptoms is interruption of controller medications.
The inhaled medication (name it if the patient told you the name) is a steroid that
suppresses swelling of your airways and prevents symptoms. You should take it
every day without missing a single dose. I am happy to see that you are regular with
your follow up checkups and I would like to see you again in about 3 months for a
checkup. Do you have any questions regarding the treatment plan Mr. Smith?"

Depression:
"Mr Smith I know dealing with depression can be extremely difficult. Depression
https://cscounsel.blogspot.com/ 2/3
7/9/2017 USMLE Step 2CS exam: HOW TO COUNSEL
causes immense physical and emotional stress. But we can beat it. We have a
number of techniques and medications that help with depression. I advise that you
make an appointment with our counselor at the earliest. Mr Smith I am also going to
write you a prescription for an antidepressant. We need to do some lab work
including a blood cell count and electrolyte levels prior to that. Also Mr Smith you
should remember that antidepressants can take up to 4-6 weeks to show effect. So
you have to be patient. If you ever feel like hurting yourself or others you must at
once seek medical attention or at the least talk to a friend."

Domestic violence:
"From what you said I understand that at times you feel unsafe at your own home.
That sounds very frustrating Mrs Smith. I am glad that you came to seek attention. If
you ever need someone to talk with do not hesitate to call our office. If ever you feel
unsafe or are hurt you should seek attention from the police or appropriate
authorities. And if you do not feel comfortable doing that you can always come to us
for help and if you wish we could arrange for someone to go to the police with you.
Does it sound reasonable to you?"

Posted by Medical Blogger at 11:02 AM No comments:

Labels: HOW TO COUNSEL USMLE STEP 2 CS IMG FRIENDLY RESIDENCY PROGRAMS LISTS

Home

Simple theme. Powered by Blogger.

https://cscounsel.blogspot.com/ 3/3