5 days

5 more days only. I am looking forward to finish with this exam and to continue with the rest of the exams.

I talked to George from Ottawa and he gave me some good information about observerships aka elections.

Information to remember: selection comity, Dr. Chernovski, 2wks observership, but 1 month is the best.

6 days

I finished with FA, and started reading some of the cases from UW like heel pain, insomnia. For tomorrow I have to do terminal cancer Pt counseling, palpitations, spells, vomiting.

7 days

I did 5 cases today.

Finished with the short version of the PE.

8 days

I practiced 5 cases from FA. The exam is very close now. I am going to start practicing on concentration and confidence.

9 days

Today I practiced only 3 cases for fatigue. I was tired, and decided to slow down a bit, and to increase the hours of studying in the last 5 days.

10 days

Today I practiced with Babak, and I couldn’t do very well some cases. I need more practice. I know there are only 9 days left, but I will try to do my best and improve as much as I can.

11 days

For the first time today I got the feeling that I know what I am doing. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I will slow down. No, I have to increase the speed and hours I spend studying. It is a little bit tiring though, but I gotta keep the pace.

What I did today:

1. 5 cases with Nikolai. Feedback: I spend too much time for the HPI questions, than I am in a rush and spend less time in the physical exam and miss some important things. I reduced the length of my counseling, and I think I did it well few times.

2. Don’t forget to ask for Ca2+ supplements any elderly woman and for osteoporosis.

3. Try again the short version of the neuro exam.

12 days

Today I practised with Baback. Important points from today:

1. Emphasize on the important stuff and cut down the rest.

2. When you see the case, think of the big picture first. What do you see first, e.g. if the cases is “lost consciousness” focus on the 2 reson for this: 1. heart problem due to low oxygen supply to the brain (heart seuzure aka arrhytmia) 2. brain problem (brain seizures). Than start asking Qs about the important organs that could be the culprit of the problem. For example: Do you have any seizure? YES–> onset, duration, tounge bite, incontunence?

3. Do the short version of the physical exam.

4. Be short in the description of the symptoms.

13 days

What I have to do today:

1.Finish writing the notes from yesterday cases.

2. 3 cases from FA, watch and do the physical exam again

3. If I have time watch Swartz videos.

14 days

I am finishing today with the last 4 cases of FA.

My plan for the rest of the days is to do 3 cases per day but very thouroughly. I want to practise every case 3 times. For 10 days I am going to finish one more time all 31 cases from FA, and I am going to have another 3-4 days for some additional reveiw of my weakest areas.