Failed Level 2 PE humanistic domain...Now What?

[criduchatnoir]

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I recently found out I failed Level 2 PE only because of the humanistic domain. I rescheduled it and I also have a request in for my score to be verified. I've never failed anything before, so I have passing scores on everything else (grades, COMLEX 1 & 2 CE, clinical rotations, etc.) I have no clue how I failed the humanistic domain, since I did literally everything one could possibly do. I wasn't impolite and no negative experience(s) with the SPs stick out in my mind. My interaction with patients and my social skills have never been an issue for me before, so I dunno...if anyone has any advice, that would be great. It's not like the NBOME gives any meaningful feedback, right? I'm extremely upset about the mere fact that I failed for no apparent reason, but I'm taking every possible appropriate action and I have bigger concerns right now.

I fear that this bad news came at the worst possible time, because I obviously won't have a PE passing score by the match. What to do? Am I screwed? I emailed my school a week ago and haven't received any response (I'm not shocked; my school is notoriously apathetic to student concerns), but I'm stressed to the max and I need advice. The dilemma is that I'm trying to match into what has grown to be a very competitive specialty this year. I applied to DO programs only and I'm doing DO match only. I heard most programs won't even rank you without proof of passing COMLEX Level 1, 2 CE & PE by now. Indeed, one program that interviewed me informed me today that I have not been ranked. I'm not sure if it was because they don't have my PE scores, or not, and I'm still waiting on feedback from them. Should I make my PE scores available to programs now, or wait until after the match? It seems like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I'm gonna assume if programs only rank you after receiving your scores, that means they would only rank you upon receiving passing test scores. So whether I release the score or not, it doesn't seem like I'll be ranked now. What to do? Am I doomed? Would it matter that much to programs since it's just the humanistic domain on the PE? I'm kinda in panic mode and I have been for almost a week. It's taking a physical toll on me, and I need some advice/opinions/reassurance... Those of you who passed the PE, show me some of that empathy 😉

 

[cheruka]

Make a trip to the school and ask to meet with your OSCE clinical director and ask to watch the videos of your patient encounters with the instructor. Also, ask for feedback. Then, go do an OMM review with a faculty member.
Good Luck to you, you will pass the next time. I am sure.

 

[sylvanthus]

I recently found out I failed Level 2 PE only because of the humanistic domain. I rescheduled it and I also have a request in for my score to be verified. I've never failed anything before, so I have passing scores on everything else (grades, COMLEX 1 & 2 CE, clinical rotations, etc.) I have no clue how I failed the humanistic domain, since I did literally everything one could possibly do. I wasn't impolite and no negative experience(s) with the SPs stick out in my mind. My interaction with patients and my social skills have never been an issue for me before, so I dunno...if anyone has any advice, that would be great. It's not like the NBOME gives any meaningful feedback, right? I'm extremely upset about the mere fact that I failed for no apparent reason, but I'm taking every possible appropriate action and I have bigger concerns right now.

I fear that this bad news came at the worst possible time, because I obviously won't have a PE passing score by the match. What to do? Am I screwed? I emailed my school a week ago and haven't received any response (I'm not shocked; my school is notoriously apathetic to student concerns), but I'm stressed to the max and I need advice. The dilemma is that I'm trying to match into what has grown to be a very competitive specialty this year. I applied to DO programs only and I'm doing DO match only. I heard most programs won't even rank you without proof of passing COMLEX Level 1, 2 CE & PE by now. Indeed, one program that interviewed me informed me today that I have not been ranked. I'm not sure if it was because they don't have my PE scores, or not, and I'm still waiting on feedback from them. Should I make my PE scores available to programs now, or wait until after the match? It seems like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I'm gonna assume if programs only rank you after receiving your scores, that means they would only rank you upon receiving passing test scores. So whether I release the score or not, it doesn't seem like I'll be ranked now. What to do? Am I doomed? Would it matter that much to programs since it's just the humanistic domain on the PE? I'm kinda in panic mode and I have been for almost a week. It's taking a physical toll on me, and I need some advice/opinions/reassurance... Those of you who passed the PE, show me some of that empathy 😉

I guess my advice would be to not release your scores since you have to manually do it anyhow and then check with programs to see which ones require a passing score before the match and which ones don't. You very well could still match as im pretty sure all progrms don't require a passing score before the match.

Make sure you find out what you did wrong, obviously, and start calling the testing center to rescehdule this thing ASAP. I heard they offer separate dates for those who did not pass on the first try. Check on this and good luck! Don't let it bother you too much, we are all aware how crappy of an exam it is and it does not reflect poorly on you./ Just jump through the hoops and get it done.

 

[JamesPhilly]

Wow, this is really tough. I am sorry you are going through this. As you know, the PE/CS is the most subjective of tests and not at all a good assessment of clinical acumen.

I have no idea what to say about matching, except that you are right to contact your school directly, don't email, phone if you can't make a visit in person. This is pretty serious even though like i said I don't think it means anything to your abilities.

In terms of the exam itself, there were a few points I took away from the first aid for COMLEX PE guide that I always used. I introduced myself, said I was a medical student, and as I sanitized my hands I told the pt that the interviews was going start with talking about what brought them here, then we'd do a phsyical, and then at the end we would come up with a tx plan TOGETHER, and you can ask questions at any point. OK? [queue the hand shake] I would always be sure to end with, did you need a note for work, or did you need me to call anyone to update them on your condition? Do you have any questions? I did this for EVERYONE, and it resulted in a pretty smooth interview.

I also practiced a lot with a friend which was a lot of help.

Again, I'm sorry this happened. If you got the biomedical portion down, then you just need to use some of the aforementioned phrases.

Good luck!