I found the Mini-CPX and the CPX to be good practice. Below are some tips for how to do well. This obviously does not tell you what will be on the Mini-CPX (I’m not allowed to do that).
– Review the small yellow book: The Database: The Medical History, Physical Exam, and Write-Up. By Drs. Rodnick and Shore. (remember, you bought this way back in first year.)
– Review H&P and assessments & plans (including differential diagnosis) for common presentations for heart, lung, neuro, GI, and musculoskeletal, etc.etc.
– Of course review your physical exam skills. Don’t skimp out. If you’re going to do a heart exam, do it as you learned it, i.e. be thorough
– Review how to deal with different psych presentations
– Review how to assess pediatric and geriatric populations
– Review your physician-patient interation skills (PEARL, etc)
– Review how you would manage different chronic diseases including prevention of complications and preventative medicine
– Practice doing the whole thing in 15 minutes. (’cause that’s all the time you have per patient!)
– Practice coming up with a plan for different presentations. If someone comes in with chest pain, what would you do (labs, imaging, etc) to help you with your diagnosis? What would you give for treatment?
– Don’t forget to discuss your plan with the patient.
– practice, practice, practice
_ Sample outline
HISTORY:
HISTORY: chief complain, history of present illness, past medical history (including medical illness, hospitalizations, surgeries, psych, MEDS, allergies), sexual history, health related behavior, family history, social history, review of systems
MEDS: If they give you a list of medications, make sure you know why they are taking them. If not, ask. It could be a clue…
PHYSICAL EXAM: will update this soon.
Some links:
http://medschool.ucsf.edu/academy/programs/past_funded/2004/miniCPX.aspx
If you’re reading this, please share how you prepared for or are preparing for the mini-CPX, and any general advice from your own experience.
UCSF STUDENTS 
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