Boards, boards, boards.

I hate 'em.  But it is part of the wonderful medical education.  And this Friday I take another step.  USMLE Step 2 CS that is.  USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) Step 1 is an 8 hour, 350 question test that tests our knowledge of basic science topics.  You know, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, the like.

Step 2 comes in two flavors (for which they charge you $1500 to take!).  CS is the Clinical Skills part.  Again, 8 hours during which you meet with 10-12 "standardized patients" (actors), interview them, give them a brief focused exam, and then write up a note detailing the results of the interview, exam, and your differential diagnoses and next steps to figure it out.  It has been shown to be a joke pretty much.  But we still have to take it, and they are so wonderful that they only offer it at 5 locations in the country.  So tomorrow I get to fly to Houston, get a hotel and car and take the test Friday. 

At the beginning of next month I get to take CK, or Clinical Knowledge.  Fortunately they offer this one a little closer to home (only an hours drive).  Again, 8 hours, 350 question that test my clinical knowledge.  Fun, fun, fun.  Needless to say, my blogging will be (and has been) scarce as I get in some study time. 

Only a few more weeks.  Whew.