Oral Practical Exam Tips from the Experts!

I recently asked three of our faculty the following questions:
Q1: What is one of the most common errors you see candidates make in the NAIOMT Oral Practical Examination?
Q2: What common characteristics have you seen in the strongest candidates?


Here are their answers:
Brian Macks, NAIOMT Clinical Fellowship Instructor
A1: The foundational level 1 information continues to challenge candidates at times. A failure to properly review systems and the inability to recognize what is not appropriate for physical therapy are common errors for examination candidates.

A2: A prepared examination candidate is a relaxed examination candidate. Begin preparing early for the exam. Have a plan to cover the material in smaller pieces over that time period. It is immediately obvious if the techniques are being used regularly. If you find yourself not seeing certain patients to use particular techniques regularly, set yourself up to do all those techniques once weekly with a colleague.

Bill Temes, NAIOMT Faculty
A1: There seems to be a lack of breadth of knowledge in differential diagnosis/medical screening. There appears to be lack of flow from scan to selection of appropriate biomechanical exam.

A2: Breadth of knowledge regarding variety of disease states that may mimic mechanical pain. Understand the sequencing of the exam process. Appropriate clinical decision-making based on examination findings - comfortable with case scenarios format.

Gail Molloy, NAIOMT Senior Faculty
A1: Always clarify the question if you do not understand - don’t try to answer something you are unclear about. Also, don’t over answer a question by going into extra information if you are not prepared for the examiner to follow you down that rabbit hole.

A2: Obviously using the techniques in a clinical setting. This is apparent by the ease of the set up, the handling of the patient and the finesse of the technique. We want candidates who are not just academically smart but also clinically skilled.

Happy Studies!
Heather
Exam Coordinator