M2 Clinical Comprehensive Assessment (CCA)

Michael Lukela, M.D. Director, M2 CCA

October 30, 2012

Exam Composition
Practical Exam Physical Exam History Taking History Presentation Case Write-up

Written Exam

Exam Composition (Practical)

Physical Exam Abdominal Cardiac Musculoskeletal Neurology Pulmonary History Taking History Taking History Presentation Communication Skills

Physical Exam

General Principles
The patients are SPs Grading is performed by SPs and faculty proctors Targeted, but complete physical exam Expectation is NOT to elicit abnormalities No checklists, notes, or aides allowed Required equipment will be posted on CCA website

Safety tip: Practice talking through your exam aloud

Musculoskeletal
Split into two components (A & B) During the exam you will perform only either A or B, but are responsible for content of both Musculoskeletal A Hands Wrists Elbows Shoulders Spine (cervical) Musculoskeletal B Hips Knees Ankle/Foot Spine (thoracolumbar)

Resources and Helpful Hints

Clinical Foundations of Medicine (CFM) checklists are your friends Refer to course syllabus, M2 CCA website Practice the exam in sections e.g. Cardiac, Neurology, Musculoskeletal Become familiar with equipment (e.g. safety pins for sensory testing) Practice talking aloud while you are performing the exam Resources under development to assist in your preparation Modified CFM checklists to guide preparation Exam FAQs drawn from prior exams/student questions to be posted on M2 CCA website

M2 CCA Website

Example Teaching (CFM) Checklist

History Taking

History Taking
General Principles History of Present Illness focusing on key elements that lead to the visit and to address the patients specific concern(s) Assessment of relevant risk factors based on the problem(s) identified Exploration of other relevant history based on understanding of problem(s) Knowing the patients PMH, Meds, Allergies Exploration of relevant family and social history Application of targeted and relevant review of systems to include, exclude other relevant diagnoses

History Taking Station Notes Goal is to elicit a focused, but complete history based on patients chief complaint Patients are standardized Communication skills will be assessed as a component of the history taking sessions Content of interview drawn from CFM curriculum and CEP experiences Time allocation is up to the student

Standard templates and ROS sheets will be provided at each station; no other notes may be used

History Presentation
History presentation will occur as part of the an integrated station lasting 45 minutes during which students perform a history, targeted physical exam, and verbal presentation in sequence During the station block students are expected to: Organize a verbal presentation Present his/her observations to a faculty physician/observer

Notes may be taken during history taking station and you may use these notes to present to the faculty/observer

Preparation and Resources

Review CFM teaching videos, interviews Practical history taking Patient interview Review prior interview topics covered during the M1/M2 year Review and practice ROS in a targeted manner Recognize that every clinical history is a story- not everything is PQRST Practice, practice, practice

Exam Format
BLOCK 1: 50 minutes History Taking Abdominal Exam Verbal presentation BLOCK 2: 50 minutes History Taking Cardiac Exam Pulmonary Exam Case Write-Up BLOCK 3: 50 minutes Neurology Exam Musculoskeletal Exam

Groups rotate between sections every 50 minutes. Blocks 1 and 2 are integrated stations following the sequence of History Physical Exam Presentation or Case Write-Up.

Written Exam

Exam Composition
Written examination Closed-book, web-based exam Approximately 120-140 questions covering principles of physical exam and basic pathophysiology Topic areas include: abdominal, cardiac, musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, ENT, ophthalmology Content from exam covered in CFM lectures, course syllabus, exam checklists Administered during CCA exam weekend

Note: You may take the written examination either before or after the clinical portion of the CCA

Example Question #1
Which of the following is the ideal order in which to perform the abdominal exam? a. b. c. d. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation

Example Question #2
A 17-year-old football player is seen in clinic for his sports physical. Initial blood pressure is 160/90 with a pulse of 68 and repeat blood pressure measurement in the exam room is 170/84 with a pulse of 65. Previous blood pressure measurements have been normal and he is otherwise healthy and asymptomatic. The most likely explanation for this finding is: a. Development of essential hypertension b. He ate a Super size meal at McDonalds just prior to the visit c. He is nervous he may be withdrawn from practice d. Use of a cuff that is too small for the patient

Preparation and Resources

Review content specifications (M2 CCA website) CFM written exam Review physical exam outlines Review physical exam checklists Swartz: Textbook of Physical Diagnosis

Example: Content Specifications Outline

Knowledge (Written Exam): Abdominal
Know the anatomic location of intra-abdominal organs Know the physical exam findings in patients with ascites Know how to assess liver span Know the physical exam findings in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms Know the physical exam findings in patients with diverticulitis Know the technique for examination of the spleen Know the physical exam findings in patients with peritonitis Know the correct sequence of performing the abdominal exam Know the physical exam findings in patients with pyelonephritis Know the technique for auscultation of abdominal and renal bruits Know the physical exam findings in patients with appendicitis Know the terminology for associated physical exam findings in patients with cirrhosis Know the anatomic location for referred pain from intra-abdominal organs

Exam Logistics

Exam Dates
Clinical Exam Friday, February 2, 2013 Saturday, February 2, 2013 Monday, February 4, 2013 Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Make-Up Exam
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 (tentative) Written Exam The M2 CCA Written Exam opens on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. through Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. (24h, midnight). Sign up for the exam will open following the holiday break

Make-Up Exam
Make Up Exam Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Remediation Tentatively scheduled between March 1 through March 8, 2013

Note: Students who are unable to take the exam during February must obtain approval to take the exam on March 13 from the M2 CCA Committee and Director

Myths and Misconceptions About the CCA

Myth: The faculty get enjoyment by inflicting physical and emotional pain on the medical students by making them take the M2 CCA. Fact: The faculty REALLY experience great joy inflicting physical and emotional pain on the medical students by making them take the M2 CCA. Myth: Each year, many students FAIL the exam and do not begin their M3 year on time. Fact: Although there are a handful of individual station failures each year, the majority of the students pass each section on the first attempt. We have NEVER had a student receive a failing grade for the CCA recorded on his/her transcript. We have NEVER had a students matriculation to the M3 year delayed because of his/her performance on the M2 CCA. Myth: Students are graded on/expected to perform tasks that are not on the teaching checklists. Fact: The exam is not designed to trip up students. The tasks to be completed at a given physical exam station is based on what is taught during the CFM course using the teaching checklists. Myth: There is no way that I will be able to complete these tasks during the allotted time. Fact: The overwhelming majority of students complete the exam/history taking stations without difficulty and often have time to spare. Many times, students who run into time pressure have not followed the door instructions and spend time completing tasks not required/expected at the station. Practice, practice, practice.

Contact Information
Michael Lukela, MD Director, M2 CCA E-mail: mlukela@umich.edu Amy Page Lead Administrator, M2 CCA E-mail: amypage@umich.edu