Recently, a friend was unable to move her left arm and writhed in pain whenever she needed to use her hands, even for basic routine tasks like putting on clothes. We thought it was amazing that he felt so much pain in one night. Instead, her osteopath who examined her after an initial appointment with a neurologist and orthopedist, assessed that the problem was her posture. The recommended corrective exercises not only helped but also reduced her dependence on a large dose of painkillers.
Many osteopaths are drawn to the practical, holistic approach to healing the body. They enjoy working directly with patients and using manual techniques to improve their health. Osteopaths believe in the body's inherent ability to heal itself and are interested in a philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the musculoskeletal system with overall health. Some osteopaths are motivated by a desire to offer patients alternative approaches to pain management and wellness, focusing on less invasive methods compared to some traditional medical treatments. The path to becoming one is challenging and the first step after entering a DO program is COMLEX Level 1 prep.
Scope of osteopathy in modern health care
People are going back to their roots and focusing on overall wellness to eliminate health related risks. This can come as an afterthought when a person comes to terms with a condition that was painful, or with self-awareness and a zeal to be fit and well. Some people seek osteopathy proactively to maintain good health, improve mobility or manage pain without drugs. While others may turn to it as a last resort when regular treatments have failed to provide relief, they turn to osteopathy for a different approach.
With the growing demand for holistic treatment that focuses on the whole body rather than local pain, there is an ever-increasing demand for qualified osteopaths. If you aspire to become one, then after enrolling in an appropriate DO program, you need to start preparing for the COMLEX exams. Here is the road map to successfully clearing COMLEX with a good score:
Understand the format of the exam
COMLEX Level 1 is an 8-hour computer-based exam divided into two sessions. You will answer 352 multiple choice questions, some with audio or visual, testing your knowledge on various medical topics. Each session is 4 hours but no time within the modules. Optional breaks are provided, but cover the total break time of 60 minutes.
Directed by
The COMLEX exam is administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, or NBOME. The body does not provide full transcripts for COMLEX exams. However, they do offer resources to help you prepare, including the COMLEX-USA Level 1 practice exam.
Difficulty level
The COMLEX Level 1 exam is a challenging exam that tests the minds of the best. It's a great exam! In 8 hours with 352 questions, it tests your endurance as well as your knowledge. While the medical science core overlaps with USMLE Step 1, COMLEX throws a few curveballs. Expect a focus on Osteopathic Manipulatory Medicine (OMM) and possibly more emphasis on microbiology. COMLEX questions can be more difficult. They can be shorter and more vague compared to the USMLE, requiring a deeper understanding of the concepts.
Perfect time to take the level 1 exam
You can enroll after the first year, but most people feel better prepared after the second year curriculum. Your college may have suggested specific testing windows within the April-June time frame. Check with other students and also remember that everyone has a study pattern. If you think you will be able to tackle the exams right after the first year, you can follow a focused study plan.
The Early Bird Catches Plenty
There is no single answer for when to start preparing for the COMLEX Level. However, it is recommended that you integrate early in your first year and start studying from day 1 of your first year. That way, when you're eligible to take the exam, you'll be relieved to see how much ground you've covered at a leisurely pace.
Special Study Plan
Once you finish your first year and are eligible to take the exam, you need to start focusing and studying for at least 3 hours a day for four months before the exam. Break down your study schedule to allow time for revisions.
Online MedTech
Medical education is now delivered through MedTech platforms that offer a series of videos with full practical explanations. With gamification and simulation models, students can grasp concepts and understand difficult scenarios that cannot be explained through theory alone.
Flashcards & Mnemonics
Flash cards are great for focusing on areas you find difficult. You can create exclusive decks or add more cards to specific topics you are dealing with. You can also use the Anki app for flashcards to help with spaced repetition and easy recall techniques. Mnemonics, by their nature, require you to understand the underlying concepts to create the memory cue, which can solidify your understanding of the material.
Study Groups
Your race is your strength in every aspect of life. When you study with other students who face the same challenges as you in terms of DO program lectures, and yet prepare for Level 1 exams, your perspective is holistic. You'll learn better tricks for remembering big concepts from other students.
conclusion
The ability to serve humanity while holding down a job and making a career out of it is only possible in a few fields. Healthcare is one such field, where clinical staff are constantly stressed but perform because they want to give their best to their patients. With a few hours of regular and planned studies, you can join the regime of men and women in scrubs who will defeat their sleep to revive a patient and relieve him from critical situations. In your quest to successfully clear all levels of the COMLEX exams, remember to take good care of yourself so you don't succumb to burnout.