Passed!
I was a nervous wreck this past week. I've never been this nervous about an exam in my life. But here's a breakdown of what happened and what I did:
Preparation:
- Dedicated prep time was probably 3 weeks out from the test however I was looking at stuff here and there over 2 months prior to. I was on a research rotation so I did not have the whole day to prepare. Over the weekends I probably did 6-8 hours of prep in the morning.
- Our school (KCU) prepared a little compilation of documents for us that covered basic SOAP note taking, a comprehensive physical exam, I went over those things a few times to refresh myself on the template.
- We were also required to pass a clinical skills assessment prior to signing up for the exam.
- USPTF guidelines for preventative screening
- Vaccine schedule for adults and teenagers
- Kauffman COMLEX-PE prep book: read the case, came up with ddx right away, immediately thought of diagnostic plan (imaging, labs), specific exams I would do including OMM, then how I would tailor my questions for the HPI. This book suggests to make it a habit to ask first timing things "when did this happened, has this happened before" which I think helped in being efficient.
- USMLE First Aid Step 2 CS: there are an incredible amount of quick cases to go over here that are broken down by system and problem (depression, etc). in then back they also have full case breakdowns.
- I did not find time to practice with anyone.
I would not suggest doing this at all. Practice with people as you need to find your conversational and physical exam flow.
Test:
- Took mine in Chicago. Drove from KC.
- Stayed at a hotel nearby testing site. I drove to the testing site and figured out parking once I got to hotel to make sure I knew the route and how long it would take.
- Sitting in the waiting room with the other students who were all shaking vigorously as they drank their bottled water from being nervous did not help. The testing site was cool and comfortable. They make you wear ID bands on your arm.
- I felt extremely rushed the entire time. They cluster your cases 3-4 back to back. They were exceptionally punctual with time and they had to pull a few students out of their rooms. I was able to complete all my cases on time including discussing the A/P with the patient but every SOAP note I was barely finishing. I was very worried that my conversational flow was rushed however thinking back most of the cases had a pretty unremarkable past medical and social history which made it easier to get through the case. There were 3-4 with more extensive histories
- The dumbest screw-up I can remember doing is that I listened to heart sounds over the gown on two of my cases because the gown was so tight. It never came to mind to loosen and remove the gown.
- I had one case that was a mess, I wasn't sure if it was a medical or social case and they waiting till the 2 minute mark to unleash a fury of other complaints they had.
- I had 4 cases where I used OMM. Two of them were frustrating and confusing in regards to exam findings and correct treatment.
Advice:
- They give you a locker and you must put EVERYTHING in there except for medicines which they will hold.
- When preparing, make sure you have a template of how you will ask questions for the HPI.
- BREATHE. Treat these SP's like they are real patients. It just makes the conversation more genuine IMO.
- Make sure you prepare for your social-focused cases (STI testing, depression) and preventative cases (diabetes screen, cholesterol check, wellness check), for the assessment they will have other problems (family hx of something, smoking) that you can add.
- There may be cases where they will have some sort of GU or GI component. do NOT say YOU are going to do a pelvic or rectal exam. Say "we plan on it if that is okay with you" (ask their permission). then write it in your plan.
- If you are confident with your typing, type everything out, there are some odd abbreviations that they will not consider for some reason like SOB for shortness of breath wasn't on the approved list.
- if you go to Chicago, there are only 2 bathrooms on the testing floor, everyone is going to use them right before the exam starts, so make sure you either go early or get close to those bathrooms as the testing start time gets closer.
- they have a little fridge of drinks with teas and sodas and water, on your last break you should get one and out it at your designated spot so you have something to drink after the test.
- If you stay at a hotel nearby the testing site in Chicago, know that Giordanno's delivers. if you haven't had deep dish pizza you're missing out.
@Goro endorses that everyone try this amazing pizza.
