Everyone is passionate about healthcare and working directly with patients, but isn’t interested in becoming a surgeon or physician. If you are one of those, have you ever considered osteopathy? It could be such a great fit for people who consider alternative therapies beyond pills! Osteopathic medicine is all about holistic patient care, hands-on treatment, and building strong patient relationships. You’d get to work with a wide variety of cases—everything from musculoskeletal issues to chronic pain management—and you’d still have the opportunity to make a huge impact on your patients’ lives. Plus, as a DO, you’d have the flexibility to go into fields like family medicine, sports medicine, or even neurology.
And for those of you, who have traversed the path of choosing between MD and DO and have taken their first steps at the licensure exams; first off, huge congratulations on clearing COMLEX-USA Level 1! That’s such a massive milestone, and you should be proud of yourself. Everyone knows how much effort and dedication it takes to get through that beast of an exam, and you did it! Now that you’re past Level 1, it’s time to start thinking about the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE Exam, but before we dive into that, we should chat about something else.
Now, let’s talk about Level 2-CE. You’re probably still catching your breath after Level 1, but the good news is that a lot of the foundational knowledge you’ve already mastered will carry over. That said, Level 2-CE is more clinical, so it’s all about applying that knowledge to real-world patient scenarios. To make your prep as efficient as possible, a sound recommendation from seniors says to focus on some high-yield topics that show up frequently on the exam. Here are three areas that are worth spending extra time on:
OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine)
This is a no-brainer for COMLEX. You’ll see a ton of questions on OMM techniques, somatic dysfunctions, and how to apply them in clinical settings. Make sure you’re solid on Chapman’s points, viscerosomatic reflexes, and common treatments for conditions like low back pain or rib dysfunctions. It’s a unique aspect of osteopathic medicine, and mastering it will give you a big edge.
Cardiology
Cardiology is huge on Level 2-CE. You’ll need to know how to interpret EKGs, manage conditions like heart failure and arrhythmias, and understand the pharmacology behind common cardiac medications. Focus on high-yield topics like murmurs, ischemic heart disease, and hypertensive emergencies. These concepts are not only important for the exam but also for real-life patient care.
Neurology
Neurology can be tricky, but it’s another high-yield area. Make sure you’re comfortable with diagnosing and managing conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and seizures. Pay special attention to differentiating between upper and lower motor neuron lesions—it’s a favorite topic on the exam.
Conclusion:
It is understandable if you are overwhelmed, but you’ve already proven you can handle it by crushing Level 1. The key is to stay consistent and focus on understanding the material rather than just memorizing it. And don’t forget to take care of yourself during this process—burnout is real, and you’ll perform better if you’re well-rested and mentally sharp.
