First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CS

I believe this is a must have if you're studying for the CS. Really detailed general information and orientations about the test, but most of all really useful cases broken down. Everything from:- Doorway Information.- Example of Checklist that the SP probably has.- Advices for the examinee during the history taking & physical exam.- Manners taken into consideration by the SP.- Example of closure for each case.- Space to create your PN of the case.- An Actual PN of the case to compare it to yours.Everyone has their own way to study, so in the end it's up to you to determine if this is useful. I believe t's a great guide to role play w/ a study partner and to use as a guide to practice and refresh the different maneuvers you should perform in different cases. It has helped me to feel a lot more prepare to take the CS. Anyway, wish me luck and lots of luck & blessings to you guys as well.

Very useful book. Gets you used to the format of the cases and helps you broaden your differential diagnosis. It took me two days to read through the whole book (didn't write out answers, though) and then I took CS the next day and felt that I did well, and subsequently found that I passed with a score well above average. In full disclosure, I am an American grad, though, and most American grads don't have too much difficulty with passing. My biggest issue after reading this text was time management - so, make sure you practice a couple cases with a friend. If you're an international grad, it may or may not be enough for you; Kaplan offers great courses for those who need that extra help, particularly those for whom English is a second language.

Mini cases!!! They really helped me and everyone I know. I personally didn't like the full cases because I didn't think they prepared me at all. In real life patients are usually pretty vague, so I don't know what they would say things like I notice it every time I have a fatty meal or I have right upper quadrant pain. I know you're probably thinking well, your partner should know not to say that or whatever, - which is true- but you'll see what I mean when you read the cases because it's not just limited to that.but MINI CASES MINI CASES MINI CASES!!! That section is gold!

All you need for STEP 2 CS. Probably even way more than you need. If you are an American MD student and paid attention to differentials for the past couple years, the medicine part of the test should come naturally to you, and this book can help you brush up on the details on any areas you feel deficient. The key areas to review are social issues and how to take a good social history, as a major component of the exam is understanding medical problems in this social context. Good luck.

A great asset for anyone trying to study for the USMLE Step 2 CS Exam. They update this yearly and even though i doubt the value added by new information in each new addition is incremental it its still one of the best and most uptodate resources you have to study for that exam. I don't think its wise to step foot into that exam room without having gone through this book at least twice. Even if the cases are not the same, the fundamental approach to clinical interaction and asking questions will never change and is very important in life and in practice.

Definitely worth getting this most recent edition!! They added really good explanations for all the cases. My school has us doing clinical skills examinations (CSEs) where we have to do a history, focused physical, and post-encounter note during our 2nd year so I used this book to prepare for those! It is very helpful for deciding on a differential diagnosis based on different history findings with the same presentation. I will definitely be using this book to prepare for Step 2 CS next year too.

This book is an absolute MUST HAVE when studying for Step 2 CS. This book has over 25 cases that are EXACTLY like the real CS. If you study diligently from this book you will be alright for Step 2 CS. I went over every case in this book at least once and most of them twice. Also the quick reviews in the front and back that give you generic topics or are quick thinker responses are helpful too. You would be CRAZY to not study out of this book for Step 2 CS.

This book does the job and has plenty of scenarios to prepare you for the real deal. However, it does give you a bit too much advice on how to handle situations that may make you over think. This is best used to remember the right questions to ask, the right differentials to come up with, and the right physical exam maneuvers to perform.Quick read, can be done a short flight or bus ride.

Must read and practice all the cases. Very good mini cases to remember the differentials the day before the exam. Not to be used as a sole source, at least for foreign medical graduates.

So,I got this from medessentials. Excellent service,I must say. Got the books (this and core cases step 2 cs) way before the anticipated date.The book per se is brilliantly written.I owe my step 1 and step 2 ck to first aids and kaplan.Hope i pass cs too!

As described. Arrived on time.

... a printing problem in this 5th edition leads to 20 missing pages and another whole chapter which appears twice...

Great book. Necessary for step 2 CS.