Step II Feeling awful about COMLEX 2 PE

[rgerwin]

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I know a lot of people say this, but I really think I messed up. I was so nice and polite to every pt, asking about their work, kids, etc. I did all the pt. interaction stuff that I could except.....I completely forgot, out of nerves I guess, to shake anyone's hand or use their name. Big Duh. I used OMT, did structural exams on pts who didn't have structural problems, finished every note (some with time to spare), and washed my hands, but definitely forgot the above. There were several other snafus, which I expected, but the hand/name thing is really bugging me.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I examined and auscultated a patient's belly but forgot to percuss or even palpate the abdomen (mostly b/c the pt distracted me with a Q while I was examining her belly - I know in real life it can be a big issue) ... then went on to write (as with habit) "S/NT/ND +BSx4 ... figured I was toast by the time I'd realized what (MIGHT) have happened (couldnt remember if i'd done it or not) but let it go b/c I couldnt go back and fix it anyway ...

However, that was my only snafu ... albeit, a big one (in my eyes) ...

Passed!

So, you're fine. As long as you were nice, washed your hands, explained everything, and gowned the pt ...

 

[Kuba]

I examined and auscultated a patient's belly but forgot to percuss or even palpate the abdomen (mostly b/c the pt distracted me with a Q while I was examining her belly - I know in real life it can be a big issue) ... then went on to write (as with habit) "S/NT/ND +BSx4 ... figured I was toast by the time I'd realized what (MIGHT) have happened (couldnt remember if i'd done it or not) but let it go b/c I couldnt go back and fix it anyway ...

However, that was my only snafu ... albeit, a big one (in my eyes) ...

Passed!

So, you're fine. As long as you were nice, washed your hands, explained everything, and gowned the pt ...

wow, not that i think what you did is that bad, but you got really lucky. they could have dinged you with the lying on documentation thing, which is probably one of only a couple ways to fail the thing.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

wow, not that i think what you did is that bad, but you got really lucky. they could have dinged you with the lying on documentation thing, which is probably one of only a couple ways to fail the thing.

Agreed.
It was my 1st patient encounter. I was super nervous and all over the place. I honestly have no recollection even to this day if I had done what I'd written or not. Either way, I didn't allow it to affect me. I stayed calm and did really well the rest of the way. I may have done what I'd written (which was again written out of habit) but was too nervous to remember if I had or hadn't done it in the encounter. If I truly hadn't, then yes, I got really lucky.

 

[AT Still]

Recently took the pe exam and here are a few mistakes that keep bothering me. Do you all think that I have even a remote chance to pass with these?

-on 2 soap notes did not finish writing on S: meds, allergies, pmh, or fmh due to running out of time
- did not counsel on first encounter due to running out of time.
-only listed 2 DDX on two soap notes due to time constraints
-only used soft tissue omt on 5 patients (4 who asked) exam was a basic C-T-L palpation and treatment directed toward complaint.

I am seriously bothered by this folks. Any input would be appreciated from anyone who did this poorly and passed.

😱😱😱

 

[DiverDoc]

JAOA June. 2003;103:269-271
In a pilot study, only 25% of encounters were even scored for OMM. It is to be expected that 3-5 cases will require you to utilize OMM. Perhaps your pt. mentioned it or it was a MSK complaint that will obviously benefit from soft tissue tx. But it is also recommended to NOT give everyone an Osteo structural exam and treatment as this is not standard of care and will appear that you do not know when and when not to utilize OMM.
Note: havent taken the test yet.

Recently took the pe exam and here are a few mistakes that keep bothering me. Do you all think that I have even a remote chance to pass with these?

-on 2 soap notes did not finish writing on S: meds, allergies, pmh, or fmh due to running out of time
- did not counsel on first encounter due to running out of time.
-only listed 2 DDX on two soap notes due to time constraints
-only used soft tissue omt on 5 patients (4 who asked) exam was a basic C-T-L palpation and treatment directed toward complaint.

I am seriously bothered by this folks. Any input would be appreciated from anyone who did this poorly and passed.

😱😱😱

 

[AT Still]

Passed!!!!!!!

 

[MountainEM]

thanks for the update still..
I took it recently and I am now doubting some things. I ran out of time with one OMM patient, literally having to leave them on the table.

anyhow, you got your score quick huh?

 

[AT Still]

Yea Mountain I got my score back right at 6 weeks. I made a ton of mistakes and was sure I had failed. Even went as far as looking at the PE calander to find retake dates. You can make a ton of mistakes and still pass as I am exhibit A. Dont sweat it until you have a reason too.

 

[rgerwin]

Passed!

 

[HealingDoc]

I just realized that while I scheduled my COMLEX Step II CE for July, some how neglected to schedule my COMLEX PE. Unfortunately, the earliest date available to take it is November 9, 2011!!! I just registered for it, but I am wondering if this is going to hurt me... I am assuming my score won't be available until the middle of December at the very earliest, but don't I have to turn in my residency applications way before then? At least they should have everything else from me by that point.... what do you all think?

 

[MountainEM]

you dont need your comlex pe to apply or even match to residency...just need it to graduate and start residency. I took mine dec 9th and found out yesterday I passed. You should be fine.

 

[Halve1al]

hey im scheduled for November 9th too! let me know if you are interested in splitting hotel costs

 

[coffeeeandtea]

just took my PE four days ago and i'm still feeling horrible about it. i washed my hands but didn't shake any of my patients' hands, ran out of time on some notes, forgot to do a bunch of exams... one patient that asked for OMM for his IT band - totally froze and didn't know any techniques for the ITB and just made up some muscle energy on the fly... but i DID drape everyone, asked for permission before doing anything/everything, summarized and asked if there were any questions at the end of the encounter, and for things that i didn't do i would write in my plan that i would do them later. ugh i hate this... so nervous

 

[deleted245139]

were you there Thurs 3/8 in the AM?? if so, I was there too!
Anyway and knock on wood because It'll be 6-8w till I find out how things went), this is the breakdown:
50% holistic... aka, were you pleasent, did you present yourself well, were you just plain ole nice
50% biomechanical... history, physical, OMM, assessment, plan, diagnostics, ect...

meaning, as long as you were a decent, respectful person, you're halfway there. Plus, this is over 12 encounters... there is a good margin for error. best of luck!

 

[pianoman511]

No worries. Many people I know (including myself) felt that they screwed something...or more than one thing.... up and still ended up passing. I completely missed out on a diagnosis of fibular head dysfunction and thought it was some kind of wrist issue. I tried some articulatory technique on the wrist which of course did nothing at all....afterwards felt like an idiot. On that same patient I asked if he used protection during sex. He said no and I went in to this whole monologue about STDs and safe sex...after which he proceeded to tell me he was married. I promptly turned 12 shades of red and kept going. I still passed.