EVMS/Tulane Clinical Skills Review Course
Frequently Asked Questions
Why register for the EVMS/Tulane Clinical Skills Review Course instead of a commercial course?
Ours is the first Clinical Skills Review Course that is actually integrated into the medical curriculum of two LCME-accredited medical schools. The course has been developed from curricular experiences at Tulane* and EVMS and is focused on helping you refine and master skills needed for the future safe and effective practice of medicine. We don't stop at the assessment - you get more for your money.
Where is the course held?
Two locations are provided for your convenience: Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana and Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. However, this program is unavailable at the Tulane University School of Medicine until 2007, due to Hurricane Katrina.
What is the cost of the courses?
Prices listed are per participant.
Individual Learner Institutional Group Learner
(Group of 40+)One Day: $800 One Day: $700 Two Days: $1,200 Two Days: $1,000
Are the courses at EVMS and Tulane the same? Or Are there differences in the programs at different locations?
Both courses are the same, although this program is unavailable at the Tulane University School of Medicine until 2007, due to Hurricane Katrina. Tulane faculty will be in attendance at EVMS sessions.
This Clinical Skills Review Course was designed by both institutions and follows standardized training methods. You will get the same quality and attention to your skills.
Is one day enough?
If you have had experience with Standardized Patient-based assessments, one day will be enough. This Clinical Skills Review Course was designed to familiarize participants with the SP-based format, assess existing skills and provide immediate refinement. If you are familiar with SP-based assessments, you will be able to focus on your performance and skills.
If you are not familiar with SP-based assessments or learning, the two-day course offers much more: More time to practice, more individualized feedback, and more comfort during a timed assessment.
When is the best time to attend a course?
Any time is a good time to practice your skills and get feedback. But, if you are scheduling a CS exam like the USMLE Step 2 CS in the near future, the ideal time is to take the course is two to three weeks before your exam, so that the material is fresh in your mind and you can reinforce learned skills with your patients.
What is a Standardized Patient (SP)?
Standardized Patients are individuals extensively trained to portray a patient with a particular medical problem, including the simulation of emotions and physical exam findings. Standardized Patients are trained to document (using checklists) an examinee's history-taking, physical exam, and interpersonal communication skills to assess competency in these areas.
What is a Teaching Associate?
A Physical Examination Teaching Associate (PTA) is a person who has been trained to use his/her body to instruct and evaluate physical examination techniques. PTAs have been extensively trained to work with all levels of health-care providers - from medical students to practicing physicians - and provide specialized training for the Clinical Skills Review Course.
Why are SPs and Teaching Associates used for instruction and feedback?
SPs and Teaching Associates have received standardized and specialized training in teaching communication skills and monitoring the physical examination when it is performed on their own bodies. Teaching Associates can provide specific feedback in examination techniques since the examination is performed on them - details such as appropriate palpation pressures, sequencing for patient comfort, etc., will be discussed during the skills refinement sessions.
If I have had experience with SPs but not a structured clinical skills assessment, how will I benefit from the EVMS/Tulane Clinical Skills Review Course?
Our course was developed to familiarize you with structured clinical assessments using SPs to polish your skills. Your experience with SPs will allow you to concentrate on the actual assessment and your performance, since you will be able to easily treat the SP as a real patient. Your benefits from the course will be increased comfort in a timed assessment (time management), learning to demonstrate the critical skills a structured clinical skills assessment evaluates, and honing your overall skills. This review is designed to give you skills you will use for many years.
Who are the Clinical Skills Review Course Instructors?
Medical school faculty, Standardized Patients, Teaching Associates and Residents will all work together to give you the benefit of their individualized expertise. Each group is well-trained to focus on their areas of expertise. Standardized Patients and Teaching Associates are the front-line personnel: the people who complete the checklist and the people who can give you immediate and specific feedback. Faculty and Residents design the curriculum and write the cases, so they are best prepared to give you feedback in medical content, clinical reasoning and writing a patient note.
How often can I take a Clinical Skills Review Course?
You can re-take the course as often as you like. Discounts are available and should be discussed with the site director.
Do you arrange accommodations?
A list of accommodations can be found at our visitor information page.
Do you offer individual Clinical Skills tutoring?
Individual tutoring is available. The course is designed to build skill by practicing and observing in a small group setting. Therefore, it is suggested that you take the Clinical Skills Review Course first; then if you still feel the need for individual tutoring, faculty on-site will be happy to discuss this with you.
How does this Clinical Skills Review Course differ from others being offered?
Our course is completely hands-on. In addition to a complete practice CS exam to establish your baseline skill level, over 90 percent of the balance of your time will be spent in small groups of two, learning and/or receiving direct feedback. State-of-the-art software allows us to give you immediate and detailed score reports and analysis.
Additionally, the directors running these courses have a combined total of over 45 years of designing, developing and implementing the use of standardized patients in all areas of teaching, assessment and communication skills.
Why are clinical skills review courses so expensive?
CSA courses are expensive due to the high use of personnel and resources. The use of standardized patients to conduct the assessment and to complete checklists and give feedback is very labor-intensive. Extensive training is required so that standardized patients are able to reliably reproduce a role as intended by the faculty author, to accurately complete a checklist, and to give specific and valuable feedback. Teaching Associates also undergo extensive training to meet the levels necessary to work with the higher level learners that are expected to participate in the course.
How do I register for your Clinical Skills Review Course?
You can complete the registration form, call us directly using the toll-free number - 1-866-304-6990 - or send us an e-mail to request additional information. This program is unavailable at the Tulane University School of Medicine until 2008, due to Hurricane Katrina.
Still have questions? More information may be found on the following pages:
I thought the session was great practice for the actual test itself as
far as the actual logistics of the exam. It was good to go through a
walk-through and understand the setup of the test, the hallway, the desks
to write notes at, etc. The practice patients were very real, and I
appreciated the immediate feedback.
