Mastering the Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the Clinical Skills Assessment [Paperback]

Jo-Ann Reteguiz (Author), Beverly Cornel-Avendano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2001 | ISBN-10: 007138135X | ISBN-13: 978-0071381352 | Edition: 2nd

* Presents more than 60 cases in the core areas of medicine to assess students interpersonal and physical diagnosis skills
* Most medical students take the OSCE and CSA exams

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

* The first comprehensive study guide for the standardized patient exams
* Includes over 50 simulated practice cases in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery
* Features USMLE Step 2B format
* Includes new chapter on CSA pitfalls

The OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) for medical students and the CSA (Clinical Skills Assessment) for international medical graduates have always been a mystery.

Get real answers to your questions in this groundbreaking book:
* How do I approach the standardized patient exams?
* How do I study for this examination?
* How much time do I have with each patient?
* How will I be graded?
* How can I improve my performance?

Medical schools, the NBME, and the USMLE are placing greater emphasis on standardized patient exams. Now you can master all the intricacies and details with one book.
* Presents more than 50 standardized patient practice cases covering what you might see on the exam
* Helps you to become familiar with the exam formats . . . uncovers the mysteries of what is behind each door
* Sharpens your interpersonal skills to improve overall clinical performance
* Focuses on the interviewing and physical examination skills needed to finish test stations within the required time limit
* Challenges you to develop a checklist prior to seeing each patient . . . and then provides the actual checklist so you can monitor your progress
* Provides key history-taking and physical examination pearls
* Includes OSCE interstation pearls and CSA patient note pearls

The first comprehensive study guide for the standardized patient exams
* Includes over 50 simulated practice cases in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery
* Features USMLE Step 2B format
* Includes new chapter on CSA pitfalls

About the Author

Jo-Ann Reteguiz, MD is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medicine Clerkship Director, UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.

Beverly Cornel-Avendano, MD is Attending Physician, Division of Gastroenterology, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, St. Peter's Unicersity Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 370 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Appleton & Lange; 2nd edition (October 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007138135X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071381352
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,004,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars all you really need for CSA!!!, February 16, 2003

By 

Isabel Lind (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the Clinical Skills Assessment (Paperback)

I prepared CSA in ten days. This book was AWESOME!!! I got four cases very similar to the ones in the book, and the others were close enough to know exactly how to approach them. The second edition as an appendix on the patient's note, which I found very useful. I honestly didn't consult any other source for the CSA and I'm happy to say this book was worth every penny.

My only advice is that you WORK WITH A PARTNER. Have a friend play your standarized patient, ask questions according to the guidelines given, and do your physical exam. It is a lot more fun and you practice on time management. This book provides the answers to your standarized patient, so he/she doesn't have to know anything about medicine. It also discusses DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS and the basic labs that should be ordered (and why!). It also stresses the importance of good communication skills and empathetic approach. Different cases will measure different things (like one case is purely communication skills and others are mainly history taking, whereas there are a few that only focus on physical exam). The trick is that you never know what each case will measure, so if you want to "pass", you have to do everything well!

In the real CSA, you don't get cards that tell you about findings on the physical exam, so whatever you don't see in a standarized patient, you have to assume as normal. This is the only inaccuracy of the book, but it's a minor detail if you are aware of it.

Time management: start timing yourself the moment you begin reading the introduction to the patient. Knock on the door (I used a spare room in my house to practice), and come in. Introduce yourself and get to the history taking and physical exam. This you should do in 15 minutes (even if the book sometimes gives you 10 minutes for the easy cases). Have someone (or an alarm clock) tell you when 10 minutes have passed, so you will know it's time to wrap up. Walk out the door after 15 minutes. You will be given 10 minutes to write the patient's note. A template of the note is provided in the book, but it is better to use the one given by ECFMG once you apply to the CSA.

Like I said, I think this book is more than enough for CSA. I also had the 40 cases that are out there on the web and they were not nearly as organized and clear. I ended up not even reading them.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best buy for the money, February 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mastering the Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the Clinical Skills Assessment (Paperback)

CSA is very expensive and I didn't want to fail it. I prepared for a month with this book and felt I didn't need to read anything else. With this book and the video that ECFMG gives out, I passed without breaking a sweat. I felt comfortable during the exam, and knew what to do. The cases are very similar to what you really get on the exam, and they tell you in the book exactly what you need to do. VERY GOOD BOOK!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must buy, February 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mastering the Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the Clinical Skills Assessment (Paperback)

I passed the csa and found this book very useful ,deals with the cases that actually appear on the exam and tells you all you need to know to be prepared for it.It is a must buy!