COMLEX-USA  · Level 2-PE

Assessment of Fundamental Clinical Skills for Osteopathic Medical Practice

Examination Description

The COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation (Level 2-PE) is a patient-presentation-based assessment of fundamental clinical skills evaluated through 12 encounters with standardized patients. Each candidate must personally perform the clinical skills with standardized patients as appropriate in a timely, efficient, safe and effective manner.

This examination augments the Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (Level 2-CE) to fulfill the public and licensing authority mandate for enhanced patient safety. Level 2-PE assesses six fundamental clinical skills for osteopathic medical practice within two scored examination domains: the Humanistic Domain and the Biomedical/Biomechanical Domain.

Fundamental Clinical Skills Assessed

Humanistic Domain

• Physician-Patient Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Professionalism

Biomedical/Biomechanical Domain

• Medical History-Taking and Physical Examination Skills
• Osteopathic Principles and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
• Documentation Skills (including synthesis of clinical findings, integrated differential diagnosis, and formulation of a diagnostic and treatment plan)

The examination consists of 12 encounters with standardized patients, taken in a secure, time-measured environment. Candidates assess problem-centered and health-promotion centered patient presentations, and spend 14 minutes on each case, plus nine minutes to document findings in an e-SOAP note (Subjective Objective Assessment Plan format). The examination is administered at NBOME National Centers for Clinical Skills Testing in Philadelphia and Chicago.

What Passing Level 2-PE Means

Passing Level 2-PE indicates that the candidate has demonstrated competence in the fundamental clinical skills and related physician competency domains for osteopathic medical care of patients as required to enter into supervised graduate medical education settings and to continue lifelong learning.