Registering for the exams

Exam done to assess the ability of the doctor/medical student to conduct a patient centred clinical encounter to address the concerns and provide a diagnostic approach plan.

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAMS 1. Go to ECFMG.org 2. Click on online services and select IWA 3. Enter your ecfmg id and password and log in 4. Click on begin a new application 5. Fill out form for cs exam and make the payment 6. If your med school participates in EMSWP then get your student status verified online by calling your med school. If your med school does not participate in EMSWP then get from 183 signed by med school along with a copy of medical transcript and diploma and ask them to send it to ecfmg via mail. 7. Processing of your application takes anywhere between 3-4 weeks. Wait 8. You will receive a mail after your application is verified which also contains scheduling permit. 9. Scheduling permit is valid for 1 year 10. Go to ecfmg.org and click on online services and select step 2 cs calendar and scheduling. 11. Login using your ecfmg id and password 12. Select your desired test centre and date. 13. Once selected you will get a confirmation mail to your email id.

In CS exam three components are assessed:

 ICE (Integrated clinical encounter):

   - History taking         - Physical examination        - Patient Note           (Summarizing the findings, most appropriate differential diagnoses and            diagnostics studies) 

 CIS (Communication and interpersonal skills)

   - Establishing the role        - Bed side manners         - Active listening        - Empathy        - Building a good rapport        - Support        - Respecting Patients decision        - Answering to the queries 

 SEP (Spoken English Proficiency)

   - Clarity of the speech        - Word/ phrase choice        - Listener’s effort required to understand the questions asked        - Complete understanding of the concerns that the patient has 

NOTE: - Most failures rates are seen in ICE and SEP component - Medical students (International students) and the examines who are giving cs exam as their first step should take an extra care regarding ICE component

EXAM DETAILS

NO OF CASES

12 (including experimental cases)

PATIENT ENCOUNTER TIME

15 MIN

PATIENT NOTE WRITING

10 MIN

TOTAL DURATION

8 HRS

BREAK TIME

50 MIN

  • 1st break after 3rd encounter for 10 min

  • 2nd break after 6th encounter for 30 min (lunch provided)

  • 3rd break after 9th case for 10 min

SESSIONS

  • MORNING

  • AFTERNOON

EQUIPMENTS PRESENT INSIDE THE EXAMINATION ROOM

  • OTOSCOPE

  • OPTHALMOSCOPE

  • PRESSURE CUFFS

  • ANALOG CLOCK

EQUIPMENTS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE EXAMINATION ROOM

DESKTOP WITH A FULL FLEDGED REGULAR KEYBOARD
THINGS TO BRING

  • CLEAN/ PRESSED LAB COAT PREFERABLY WITH NO LOGO (IF PRESENT WILL BE TAPED)

  • STETHSCOPE (ANY REGULAR ONE WITHOUT ENGRAVINGS)

  • LIGHT SNACKS

  • WATER

  • BREATH MINTS

  • SCHEDULLING PERMIT/ CONFIRMATION NOTICE

  • UNEXPIRED ID CARD (PASSPORT FOR IMGs/ DRIVING LICENCE)

THINGS PROVIDED

  • DOORWAY INFORMATION

-12 BLUE SHEETS (FOR WRITING BRIEF NOTES DURING THE ENCOUNTER AND EACH SHEET RETURNED AFTER THE PATIENT NOTE WRITING)

  • A BALL PEN RETURNED AFTER ALL THE ENCOUNTERS

  • STETHSCOPE (LIMITED QUANTITY, ONLY IF U FORGET TO TAKE)

EXAM LOCATIONS (ALL CENTERS HAVE STANDARDIZED PATIENTS WITH SAME DIFFICULTY LEVEL)

  • PHILADELPHIA HAS 2 CENTERS

  • HOUSTON

  • ATLANTA

  • CHICAGO

  • LOS ANGELES

PLACES TO STAY FOR CS PRACTICE

PHILADELPHIA

  • VANESSA AIRBNB

  • APNA HOUSE

HOUSTON

  • REDROOF

ATLANTA

CHICAGO

  • FOREST PARK LIBRARY (for practice only)

LOS ANGELES

Other places of practice will be updated soon

RESOURCES  First aid  Sherazi notes  DR PRADEEP CS NOTES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (ONLY FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR EXTRA CASES – NOT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY )  Kaplan CCS  Bates physical examination  CSE videos just to get an overview of the exam

CS COURSES (NOT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY)  GOLD USMLE  NYCS PREP

DURATION OF PREPARATION  Those done with Step 1 and step 2 ck: 4-6 weeks/ 6-8hrs  CS as first step: 6-8 weeks/ 6-8hrs

STUDY PLAN 1. Always start by reading about introduction to the exam. 2. Read about how to do various physical examination. 3. Start mini cases and get to know about all possible differentials for each complaint. 4. Then start with long cases to know about how and what to ask. 5. After long cases are done, Start timed practising with a live study partner. 6. Work on your patient notes 7. PRACTICE, PRACITCE AND MORE PRATICE! 8. Before the day of exam make sure u have good sleep. 9. Reach 30min earlier to the exam centre 10. Remember! being relaxed is the key to the exam.

TIME LINE TO PRACTICE  Doorway = 1 min  History = 7-8 min  Physical examination = 4-5 min  Closure = 2-3 min  Patient note =10 min If you finish the encounter early, you can utilize the extra time for patient notes.