Comlex-pe

[joshua_msu]

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Does anyone know if there will be any OMM on the newly designed COMLEX-PE?

 

[DrMom]

Yes, but no HVLA. I believe that you're only required to do an OMM evaluation, but I'm not 100% sure on that. You really should browse through the info at www.nbome.org

 

[Idiopathic]

I dont think there is any treatment involved, but there is definite evaluation. You may have to create an assessment and plan that includes OMM, though.

 

[joshua_msu]

Thats what I thought. Now from what I understand, we take this exam by or during our fourth year right? Just wondering when I need to schedule my OMM rotation because my skills are very lacking in that area, and could use much practice. Man do I hate OMM.

 

[Wendyh]

At the last ACOFP meeting, one of the clinicians behind the CS exam spoke to us. He said we will have to perform OMM during the exam. DrMom, you are right about NOT doing HVLA, but if it is indicated, we should address that in the note. The clinician said if OMM is indicated, it will be obvious to the student. This is what he said. I hope it's true!

 

[Popoy]

I'm taking it this coming Friday. I encourage those that are interested to go visit the NBOME website they have a 27+ min introduction video that you can watch.

There they mention to perform an OMM evaluation AND treatment if the clinical case scenario warrants it.... Hope that answers your question....

Wish me luck.... 😉

 

[joshua_msu]

Well good luck on your exam. According to my dean, our class will not have to pass the PE portion to graduate, but we still will have to take it. Although, the next years class will have to pass it in order to graduate.

 

[DOtobe]

I still have to register for the stupid thing and figure out when I want to take it...Do you guys know how long they are having the exam (up until what month?)

And good luck, Popoy

 

[zorro21]

i went to the ACOFP convention in tampa earlier this year. 2 people from the comlex-pe were they, and they gave a short presentation about the exam. these are the facts. there will be 12 clinical cases. however, 1 case is a "practice case" for next year's class. 25% of the cases or about 3 or 4 out of the total 12 cases will be omm. anytime of omm is ok, but there will be NO HVLA. you MUST do treatment on the patient if it is an omm case. all omm cases will be obvious. you must evaluate the patient and treat the patient. you have 9 minutes to write the note and 14 mintues to interview the pt.
i do not know what the pass rate will be. you do not need to pass every case in order to pass. you must pass overall, but not every case. there is a checklist for each case, and you must get so many points per case to pass. it will take 8 to 10 weeks to get the results back.
i heard there will be some primary care cases, some omm cases, and some acute cases in an ER setting, such as chest pain R/O MI. there will be no OB/GYN cases, meaning no pelvic exams. there will be no patients under age 18, so no peds cases. there will be no invasive exams, such as rectal exams or pelvics. however, if you think the patient needs one of those special exams, you must offer it to the patient and then write it in your note. on every patient you should ask about past medical and surgical history and any allergies. you must have 3 differentials. the notes can not be longer than a page, and you will be allowed to take a blank sheet of notebook paper into the room to take notes on as you examine the patient. paper will be provided.
as far as i know, none of this info has changed since march.

 

[Popoy]

Here I am in good old Conshohocken, Pennsylvania at the Residence Inn by Marriott -- it's only a few buildings away from the test site.

For those arriving in Conshohocken.... Take 23 and follow the signs to Conshohoken from 276.... You'll see two huge building (Marriott and Mercy Health Center).... Guess what??? The test site is right across Mercy Health Center at 101 West Elm Street.

The city of Conshohocken is in a valley and has friendly people throughout.... The test site looks like a wonderful place inside as well....

Anyway, I better get back to studying..... NOT!!!.... I'm gonna watch Must See TV.... I have to be honest though, I'm a bit apprehensive so I'll probably look over some of the general rules and schedule for tomorrow. Review a few of my Standardize Patient Assessment Lab notes from Physical Diagnosis from DMU....

Otherwise, the COMLEX PE is continuous throughout the year although I heard a lot of people a slacking it off till summer after graduation.... I suggest taking it ASAP....

I'll let you all know how it went.... But, of course, within the boundaries of rules and regulations of NBOME....

Till then.... 😎

 

[zorro21]

popoy, how did you do on the comlex-pe? how was the omm part? was it obvious? what cases did you have? what omm techniques did u do?

 

[Popoy]

popoy, how did you do on the comlex-pe? how was the omm part? was it obvious? what cases did you have? what omm techniques did u do?

They definitely make it a point for us to realize that we cannot share information other than those that are on the NBOME website.

One of the biggest problems I came across is, obviously, timing.... For those of you taking it in the future just think of the entire encounter + SOAP note as 23 mins.... What I mean about this is, if you finish your encounter early, then you can start your SOAP note early as well. There is no breaks between the 14 mins Encounter and 9 min SOAP note.

The best rotation that trained me was probably Family Practice and ER - which is the bulk of your encounter....

Go to the website and download the "Orientation packet" which has a sample of the SOAP note paper on page 7. Print out a few copies and practice your SOAP note.

Watch the video on line.... Trust me, it will help. They will show you the same thing during the orientation but watch it any way especially the sample encounters.

All in all, there is really no way to prepare for it other than rotations.... For those of you really wanting to prepare I would suggest getting a book such as First Aid for the WARDS and look at the sample SOAP notes.

When they say use OMM only when it's warranted.... they mean it. You need not use it on every patient.

To Summarize, remember 12 patients (23 mins for encounter and SOAP note). Finish early and get your SOAP note started.

Hope that helps some....

Over all, it was wonderfully done. The staff was great, friendly, and VERY, VERY WELL ORGANIZED.... I know I had my beef about the entire COMLEX PE thing but I was wonderfully impressed.

Good luck for those taking it in the future.... which by the way, don't slack of taking it.... Our group was the second group to go. Not many students are taking it in the beginning.

Just imagine the consequences if you don't pass the PE and would have to take Step 3 at a later time.... grading takes 10-12 weeks although they mentioned that we may not hear from them till February....

Alrighty.... That's it for now. Later 😎

 

[Popoy]

popoy, how did you do on the comlex-pe? how was the omm part? was it obvious? what cases did you have? what omm techniques did u do?

I just realize you had specific questions about OMM.... Only do it when it's warranted.... From your training, you'll know when to use and not to use it.

You can only utilize, muscle energy, soft tissue, FPR, Still, etc.... NOT HVLA!!!

Okay, I'll shut up now 🙂

 

[Boomer]

Hmmm....seems to me that if you "treat" a "patient" with OMM, then there may be no somatic dysfunction for the next candidate to treat.

So glad I missed out on this wondrous joy.....

 

[zorro21]

popoy, which omm techinques did YOU specifically use. i am not asking what cases you had. i am asking you if you used muscle energy, counterstrain, fpr, etc..how many cases did you have to use omt?

 

[Popoy]

popoy, which omm techinques did YOU specifically use. i am not asking what cases you had. i am asking you if you used muscle energy, counterstrain, fpr, etc..how many cases did you have to use omt?

There was a follow up addendum to my initial response above.... but here it is again....

The techniques I utilized included Muscle Energy, FPR, Still technique, Myofascial, Soft Tissue, and Strain Counterstrain (Yes, I opted to do this technique despite time constraints)

Hope that helps some.... As for the number of cases I utilized, I am only able to say that I didn't use them on all the patient. It really is your choice as to whether or not OMM is warranted. So if you don't think it'll be useful then don't use it.

Good luck

 

[DOtobe]

Thanks for your update on the COMLEX-PE, Popoy.

When will you find out how you did?

 

[Popoy]

Thanks for your update on the COMLEX-PE, Popoy.

When will you find out how you did?

According to the website and orientation it will take 10-12 weeks.... I'm crossing my fingers that this will all work out but like most students, I'm not in a big of a hurry....

 

[DOtobe]

Bumping...

I finally registered for the COMLEX-PE - I am taking it on February 25.

Anybody else plan on taking it that day?

Any new opinions on the PE exam from other takers?

 

[Yosh]

I took it as well..and agree with Popoy. He is really right on..and I echo his sentiments.

Good to see ya back around Popoy....

 

[zorro21]

i plan to take the exam in february or march. i am waiting on my last loan check that will not come until the end of january. i think having to take this test sucks up the behind, but i'm not complaining.

 

[Thunder]

i plan to take the exam in february or march. i am waiting on my last loan check that will not come until the end of january. i think having to take this test sucks up the behind, but i'm not complaining.

Couldn't agree more, Zorro. I'm incredibly frustrated by this. Nonetheless, I've put off signing up far too long. Sorry if this has been asked, but I have a question about the online sign-up process on the NBOME website.

The first thing they want from you is your credit card number. Are they going to charge me the $1K right now or will my card be billed the month I take the exam?

 

[Thunder]

Couldn't agree more, Zorro. I'm incredibly frustrated by this. Nonetheless, I've put off signing up far too long. Sorry if this has been asked, but I have a question about the online sign-up process on the NBOME website.

The first thing they want from you is your credit card number. Are they going to charge me the $1K right now or will my card be billed the month I take the exam?

I just called NBOME to ask about this and was informed that your credit card is billed when you sign up for the exam, not when you actually take it. For instance, if I sign up NOW to schedule the exam in July, I will be billed now. Does this bother anyone else? I really don't like to pay for things 6 months in advance.