Category: DO
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Clerkship Tips: How to Administer a Mental Status Examination
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The Mental Status Exam (MSE) is essential for evaluating psychological functioning in clinical practice. This guide explores its components, significance, and tips for effective implementation in patient assessments, making it a valuable tool for healthcare providers across various specialties.
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Developing Clinical Thinking Early in Future Physicians
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Clinical thinking is the cornerstone of medical practice, enabling physicians to make accurate diagnoses, devise effective treatment plans, and provide exceptional patient care. For medical educators, fostering this critical skill set in future physicians early in their training is essential.
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10 Examples of Outdated Heart Health Advice
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Cardiovascular diseases are a top cause of death worldwide. Health guidelines have changed as medical research has advanced our understanding of risk factors, like smoking. Staying updated on current research helps people make informed decisions about heart health and adopt practices to prevent heart disease and support long-term cardiovascular well-being.
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: Medication effects
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Delve into a clinical case of a 67-year-old woman with intermittent palpitations and fatigue. Identify potential arrhythmias and the best treatment option for her condition.
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How to Collaborate Effectively with Your Attending: Neurology Edition
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Welcome to your neurology clerkship! Discover key strategies for mastering patient examinations, enhancing clinical skills, and maximizing learning opportunities during this unique rotation.
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Epinephrine response
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Examine a clinical case of a 73-year-old man with hypotension during surgery and learn about the pharmacological mechanisms, including desensitization, affecting his response to epinephrine. Enhance your understanding of managing intraoperative hypotension effectively.
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How to Fill Out Your Match Application
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The Match process is a crucial milestone for medical students. Discover essential tips for crafting a standout application, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, and effective program research to help you succeed in your residency journey. Good luck!
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: Neck pain
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Today, let’s focus on the case of a 36-year-old woman who presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision, exhibiting significant neck pain and symptoms suggestive of cervical spine injury. Can you identify the common mechanisms of injury associated with fractures of the axis (C2) and discuss the…
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Prostate nodule
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Today, we’re looking into prostate cancer, specifically exploring the most common sites of metastasis and their anatomical relevance. Can you identify these locations and discuss the underlying reasons for their prevalence? Reflect on the anatomical pathways and structures involved in the spread of this disease. Strengthen your grasp of this…
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The Best Resolutions for Healthcare Students in 2025
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Welcome, future clinicians and caregivers, to 2025! While it may seem old-fashioned, setting resolutions is more than just making a list to forget by the end of January. It’s about sculpting your path to becoming the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally, while setting the stage for a…
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: Leg pain
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Get ready for USMLE Step 2 CK with a question focusing on necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI). Can you describe and interpret the diagnostic workup for an adult presenting with an NSTI and identify the key diagnostic features that differentiate between NSTI, possible NSTI, and non-NSTI? Enhance your clinical skills…
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Pancreatitis
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Today, let’s focus on USMLE Step 1, with a question on acute pancreatitis. Can you recommend the appropriate diagnostic investigations, interpret the findings to establish a diagnosis, and describe the essential treatment options? Are you able to recall and recognize the clinical features and complications associated with this condition? Sharpen…
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: Serum potassium
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Prepare for your USMLE Step 2 CK with a question focusing on hypokalemia in adults. Can you formulate and prioritize a differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with hypokalemia, and identify the additional tests needed to confirm your diagnoses? Enhance your clinical reasoning skills with this important assessment. A 26-year-old…
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How to Collaborate with Your Psychiatry Attending
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Welcome to your new psychiatry clerkship! To help you thrive during your clinical rotations, we’re sharing practical, hands-on advice from experienced medical professionals to help you make the most of your psychiatry rotation. We’ve compiled a quick psychiatry clerkship guide to help you seamlessly navigate your psychiatry rotation. The Fundamentals of…
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Cardiac catheterization
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Prepare for your USMLE Step 1 with a question focusing on Eisenmenger syndrome. Can you summarize the pathophysiology of this condition and recognize its key clinical features? Sharpen your understanding of this critical cardiovascular topic! A 25-year-old man is referred to a cardiologist for evaluation for intermittent cyanosis and exercise…
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: Ear pain
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Just in time with a new USMLE® Step 2 CK Question of the Day! Today’s case involves a 3-year-old boy with ear pain in his right ear along with a cough and nasal congestion. The patient is on high-dose amoxicillin and acetaminophen, but returns 48 hours later for reassessment. What’s the…
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Viral hepatitis
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Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam with this detailed question about a 28-year-old woman experiencing severe abdominal pain and jaundice after returning from a trip to Southeast Asia. What family of viruses causes patchy necrosis of the liver? Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of viral infections. A…
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Dispelling Disability Myths: Helpful Insights for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
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According to the CDC, approximately one in four US adults will experience a disability at some point in their lives. Despite how common disability is, people with disabilities face ongoing misconceptions and biases that contribute to existing disparities in healthcare access and quality. It’s crucial to address and dispel these…
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USMLE® Step 2 Question of the Day: LARC
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Prepare for your USMLE Step 2 CK with a question focusing on obtaining and interpreting the elements of a focused history for a patient presenting for permanent contraception (sterilization).A 23-year-old woman, gravida 0, presents to the office to discuss contraception. She does not want children and does not desire to…
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Understanding Substance Use Disorder: A helpful guide for health professionals
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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a health condition involving a patient’s uncontrolled use of a substance, such as alcohol, drugs, and medications, that affects an individual’s daily life by impairing their physical and mental health, along with social functioning. There are about 20 million people in the US (approximately 6% of the total…
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USMLE® Step 1 Question of the Day: Histologic analysis
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Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam with this detailed question about a 57-year-old woman with malaise and intermittent fevers over the past several weeks. Can you correctly identify which of the following findings is most likely to be demonstrated on histologic analysis? A 57-year-old woman presents to her primary care…
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A Quick Reference Guide to Male Reproductive Health Disorders
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Despite the importance of reproductive health in relation to overall well-being, many people avoid discussing it due to stigma, cultural norms, fear of judgment, lack of awareness, privacy concerns, and apprehension about medical intervention. Yet several reproductive health conditions significantly impact not only a male patient’s physical health but also…
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Top Ten Health Conditions That Are Easily Misdiagnosed
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An accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of medicine and the basis for any treatment. Nonetheless, a misdiagnosis can happen to any clinician due to a variety of issues, including overlapping symptoms or referencing an incomplete medical history. Let’s look at a quick case study to consider the challenges and potential…
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A Quick Mental Health Treatment Guide for Clinicians: Classic Psychotherapies
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When contemplating the concept of psychotherapy, it’s not uncommon to conjure up images of a grand office space adorned with an extravagant leather sofa, where a patient reclines while reflecting on past childhood experiences. While this depiction may be prevalent in pop culture, it’s essential to recognize that psychotherapy includes…
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How To Use Osmosis To Help You Thrive During Clinical Rotations
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Embarking On Your Clinical Journey Clinical rotations mark a pivotal point in your journey to becoming a medical professional. Stepping into the realm of real-world health care introduces a unique set of expectations, routines, and challenges that may seem formidable. So, while keeping up with your studies can seem daunting,…
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A Helpful List of Major Medical Education Conferences in 2025
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Ready to advance your career in healthcare? Our updated guide to 2025 medical conferences is here to help you connect with peers, explore innovative advancements, and share your research. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or administrator, these events provide invaluable networking and professional development opportunities tailored to your goals.…
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OMM® Question of the Day: Occipitoatlantal joint
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Today’s OMM question involves a 45-year-old man with chronic head and neck pain, attributed to a previous whiplash injury and well-controlled hypertension, seeks medical attention. Physical and osteopathic examinations reveal specific somatic dysfunction at the occipitoatlantal joint. To address this, the patient is instructed to move his head in a…
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11 Tips for Taking a Patient History
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A comprehensive medical history is vital for an accurate diagnosis, developing personalized treatment plans, and establishing a good rapport with your patients. On today’s Osmosis blog, let’s take note of some helpful tips for recording a high-quality medical history.
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Mastering the Match Interview: Expert Tips for Success for Medical Students
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We’re sharing tips with medical students on how to interview successfully after Match Week on today’s Osmosis blog. Learn how to stand out from the competition by asking the right types of questions and carefully honing their interviewing skills. Let’s get started! After meticulously crafting your residency application, it’s time to…