The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) tests various competencies in medical students and doctors to ensure they are ready to treat patients. Physicians should be able to answer questions on each USMLE Step regarding their basic and clinical knowledge and skills.
One of the major competency skills tested on the USMLE is communication and interpersonal skills. Examiners want to know if you are able to diagnose and monitor for disease recurrence in your patients. Physicians should be able to ask pertinent questions to gather all the information for their patient’s past medical and family histories. You should foster these relationships with your patients and their families and provide them with as much information as possible about their condition, so they can give an informed consent regarding the best medical care to be provided. You should allow the family to work alongside you and make a group decision regarding the best treatment options available. Follow us on Facebook if you would like to keep abreast with pertinent information.
As a physician you should support whatever emotions your patients and their families may experience and help them cope with their feelings. You must learn when to enable your patient’s behavior and when not to, such as in drug addiction. You must also consider if your patient really understands everything that you have discussed. Consult a translator, if at any time there may be a language barrier preventing your patient from fully understanding what you are saying and any treatment options.
These competencies will be questioned in a multiple-choice format on the USMLE Steps 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 3, but will be evaluated in a one-on-one format with a mock patient on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills. On all cases, show compassion and make sure each patient fully understands their condition & how you plan to proceed with the patient care.